December 21, 2019
Dr. Eric R. Mandel, Founder and Director of MEPIN joins the show to discuss The Mutating Virus of Antisemitism and the question of the United States of America should support the protesters in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.
More about Dr. Eric R. Mandel:
Dr. Mandel regularly briefs members of Congress and their staffs about the current Geo-political situation in the Middle East. He also meets with members of the Israeli leadership and think tanks.
He is the Northeast Co-Chair of StandWithUs, an international organization dedicated to educating the public about Israel, while fighting the BDS movement (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) against Israel.
Additionally, Dr. Mandel is a regular columnist for the Jerusalem Post, writing about the US-Israel relationship, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
December 14, 2019
This week’s guest is NJ Governor Phil Murphy. Co-host Chaskel Bennett, is in the studio as well to discuss the horrific Jersey City Shooting at a Kosher Grocery Store.
CNN Reported “Shooters had lots of firepower and ‘could have done more’ had police not stopped them. Killed Tuesday were Jersey City police Detective Joseph Seals and three people in the market: Mindy Ferencz, 31, the store’s co-owner; Moshe Deutsch, 24, a customer; and Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, 49, a store employee.”
Governor Phil Murphy, as he says, “grew up in a family that was middle class on a good day,” the youngest of four children with only one parent who graduated high school. His upbringing – where religion, a strong work ethic, education, and civic awareness were pillars of family life – shaped his values, his priorities, and the leader he is today.
December 8, 2019
ENCORE PRESENTATION: This week’s guest is the renowned archeologist Shimon Gibson, co-director of the university’s Mount Zion archaeological project. During the past 20 years, Gibson has conducted numerous excavations and field surveys in different parts of Israel. In August of this year, Archaeologists excavating on Mount Zion in Jerusalem uncovered evidence of the Babylonian conquest of the city, which appears to confirm the Biblical account of its destruction.
- Click here to read Full Bio for Shimon Gibson
- Click here to read CNN coverage: Archaeologists find evidence of Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem — as told in the Bibl
November 30, 2019
This week’s guest is Sander Gerber, who is an activist for the Jewish community. Discussion in regards to Israel, terrorism, the Oswald Accord and more.
Mr. Gerber is also the CEO and CIO of Hudson Bay Capital Management, a New York-based hedge fund. He became a member of the American Stock Exchange in 1991, acting as an options market maker there until he left the floor in 1995. He founded Gerber Asset Management LLC in 1997 and Hudson Bay Capital Management in 2005.
Mr. Gerber became a member of the Council of Foreign Relations as well as The New York Economic Club, and was named a member of the Board of Trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (the “Wilson Center”) by President George W. Bush in 2006.
November 23, 2019
Malcolm Hoenlein joins this week’s show. Discussion regarding Israel, settlements, past deals and more.
Malcolm Hoenlein has been the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations since June 1986. He is the founding executive director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
November 16, 2019
This week’s guest is Deborah Lauter. She is the new Executive Director of the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC). This office officially launched in the end of August 2019.
“By establishing this office, the Mayor and City Council have demonstrated their commitment to combating the disturbing growth of hate violence,” said Deborah Lauter, Executive Director of the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. “I look forward to coordinating with city agencies that have been stakeholders in addressing hate crimes, elevating the successful work they do, and developing new strategies to work with communities throughout the five boroughs to ensure that all New Yorkers feel respected, safe and supported. My career has been devoted to the fight against bigotry and hate and I am excited to dedicate my skills and expertise to serving the City.”
November 9, 2019
Guest Aaron David Miller, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace joins the show to Discuss Israel and the question: Is Israel Fair Game? And, How Democrats Want to Cut US Aid to Israel.
More about Aaron David Miller:
- Click Here for Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Fellowship page
- Click Here to Read Miler’s OP-ED: “The Truth About ISIS’s Threat”, published 11/2/19
- Click Here for Wilson Center Fellowship page
- Click Here to go to Aaron David Miller on Twitter
November 2, 2019
This week’s show discusses the upcoming Election Day on Tuesday, November 5th. Community Matters is joined by New York City Council member’s Chaim Deutsch (@ChaimDeutsch) and Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger). These special guests talk about the importance of Voter Turnout in the Jewish Community.
October 26, 2019
Encore presentation of renowned archeologist Shimon Gibson
October 19, 2019
This week’s guest is the renowned archeologist Shimon Gibson, co-director of the university’s Mount Zion archaeological project. During the past 20 years, Gibson has conducted numerous excavations and field surveys in different parts of Israel. In August of this year, Archaeologists excavating on Mount Zion in Jerusalem uncovered evidence of the Babylonian conquest of the city, which appears to confirm the Biblical account of its destruction.
- Click here to read Full Bio for Shimon Gibson
- Click here to read CNN coverage: Archaeologists find evidence of Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem — as told in the Bible
October 12, 2019
More information coming soon…
October 5, 2019
Discussion regarding helping others in Southern Brooklyn with Chasdei Lev Founder Naftoli Miller, Josh Mehlman, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzales, NYC Councilman Chaim Deutsch, NYC Councilman Robert E Cornegy, Shloimie Dachs and Shia Friedman.
September 28, 2019
David Horowitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel joins Community Matters this week to discuss the elections in Israel. Exploring the question: Where do they from here?
Horowitz is a British-born British-Israeli journalist, author and speaker. He is the founding editor of The Times of Israel, a current affairs website based in Jerusalem that launched in February 2012. Previously, he had been the editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post and The Jerusalem Report.
September 21, 2019
This week, Jonathan Schanzer, Sr VP of the Research Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former terror finance analyst for the US Treasury Department joins the show. Discussion pertains to Iran, the Attack on Saudia Arabia, Impact on America, Israel and the Mideast.
September 14, 2019
More information coming soon…
September 7, 2019
Evan Bernstein is the New York/New Jersey Regional Director at the Anti-Defamation League and is responsible for all initiatives across New York State and Northern and Central New Jersey. This week he comes to Community Matters to discuss if Jews are Safe in New York, the recent Violent Assaults and The Rise of Antisemitism in our Community
He is regularly quoted in local and national news sources that have included CNN, the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times about issues related to civil rights and anti-Semitism.
Evan has been appointed to the New York City Public Advocate’s Hate Crime Task Force and the Governor of New York’s Interfaith Council. He also sits on the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Interfaith Advisory Council and Congressman Andy Kim’s New Jersey Leadership Council on Combatting Anti-Semitism and Hate Speech.
- Click Here to read Full Bio for Evan Bernstein
August 31, 2019
Dr. Eric Mandel, Director and Founder of MEPIN™, the Middle East Political and Information Network™. is this week’s guest. Discussion pertains to the fear of war rising in the Middle East.
Dr. Mandel is also the Northeast Co-Chair of StandWithUs, an international organization dedicated to educating the public about Israel, while fighting the BDS movement (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) against Israel.
- CLICK HERE to visit the official website of MEPIN
August 24, 2019
Congressman Max Rose joins the shows to discuss the 9-11 Victims’ Compensation, The Staten Island Seawall and more.
The congressman is an American veteran and serves as the U.S. Representative for New York’s 11th congressional district, which includes all of Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn. He defeated incumbent Republican Dan Donovan in 2018.
Rose served in the U.S. Army as a platoon leader in the War in Afghanistan, where he was wounded, from 2012 to 2013. For his service he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
- CLICK HERE for the most recent updates from Max Rose on Twitter
August 17, 2019
More information coming soon…
August 10, 2019
More information coming soon…
August 3, 2019
NYC Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis joins the show this week to discuss Anti-BDS Legislation, Support for Israel, Immigration and Sanctuary States. The second segment of the show will feature discussion pertaining to the Queens District Attorney Race and why your vote does matter!
More about this week’s guest: Nicole Malliotakis was first elected to the New York State Assembly on November 2, 2010, defeating a two-term incumbent. She is the daughter of immigrants, her father from Greece and her mother a Cuban exile of the Castro dictatorship. Nicole currently represents a district spanning the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. She was the first Hispanic-American elected from Richmond County. She was re-elected to her third term in November 2014 with an overwhelming 73 percent of the vote.
July 27, 2019
This week’s guest is NYC Councilman Kalman Yeger. Discussion surrounding the recent Power Outrages and Con Ed. Plus, discussion regarding flooding, infrastructure and numerous instances of buckets of water being thrown on Police Officers.
- CLICK HERE for the most recent updates from Kalman Yeger on Twitter
More about the Council Member: Kalman Yeger serves in the New York City Council for the 44th district, which includes all or parts of the Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Gravesend, Kensington, and Midwood neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
July 20, 2019
More information coming soon…
July 13, 2019
More information coming soon…
July 6, 2019
Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein discusses his first year in office. He reviews the lessons he has learned, successes and more.
Prior to being elected to this seat, Simcha served on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s legislative affairs team in Albany, and as part of the mayor’s senior Intergovernmental staff at City Hall. During this time, Simcha played a crucial role advocating for budgetary and legislative priorities vital to the City of New York in Albany, and was instrumental in helping craft and pass many pieces of legislation in the state legislature.
- CLICK HERE for the most recent updates from Simcha Eichenstein on Twitter
June 29, 2019
This week’s show features an Election Recap with Jewish Community Leader Chaskel Bennett. Discussion regarding Farah Louis’s win and her campaign for a united district 45. A second segment takes a look at the shocking results of the Queens District Attorney Race and a Community Victory in Rockland County’s District Attorney race.
June 22, 2019
This week’s topic is Shalom Torah Centers. A thriving school in a now thriving community, developed in NJ. Leon is the Chairman of the Board of plays an active role in the organization, which provides exceptional education to students who may have otherwise been unable to obtain a Jewish education.
Guests include Rabbi Nachman Greenwald and more.
June 15, 2019
Antisemitism in New York City is up over 80%! This week’s show discusses this rise with guest Rabbi Michael Miller who is the Executive Vice President of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).
Discussion includes a wide variety of topics such as common areas where hate crimes are occurring, common types of hate crimes, responses by the community, law enforcement, reasoning for the surge in hate crimes and more. Plus, further discussion on the various video recordings of hate crimes against Jews. It is underlined that we must increase funding to get more surveillance cameras at synagogues and Jewish schools, etc.
June 8, 2019
No show this week, on account of the Jewish holiday of Shavuos.
June 1, 2019
No show this week, to make space for the annual Oorah radiothon.
May 25, 2019
The Queens race for District Attorney is coming up. This week’s guests are NYC Councilmember Rory Lancman and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. They discuss the components of the community and diversity in the district. Additionally, each candidate reviews their specific community ties, successes and top focuses.
Councilman Rory Lancman chairs the Committee on the Justice System, overseeing the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the district attorneys in all five boroughs, the City’s special narcotics prosecutor, the public defender organizations, the civil legal services providers funded by the City, and the courts.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, grew up in Forest Hills in a Jewish family. She has been an NYS Assembly member, a NYC Council member and worked in the private sector. Katz graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (summa cum laude), where she was named a Commonwealth Scholar, and later earned a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.
May 18, 2019
Farah Louis wins the Special Election for District 45 in Brooklyn, New York. Guests tonight are Chaskel Bennett and NYC Council-member Kalman Yeger.
Discussion pertains to what went into determining the candidate which the Jewish community would support. Additionally, the effort put into helping a candidate and how the community pulled together to support Farah Louis and push her into victory.
May 11, 2019
On May 14th, there is a Special Election to fill the vacant seat in City Council District 45. This segment encompasses how this process works, who is up for election and who many people and groups in the Jewish community are endorsing.
Guests include Councilman Chaim Deutsch, Councilman Kalman Yeger, Community Activist Chaskel Bennett, City Council Candidate Farrah Louis and more.
More about City Council Candidate Farah Louis
Farah Louis is a top candidate for for the city council seat vacated in District 45. She holds a Masters in Public Administration, from New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and a Bachelors in English from Long Island University. Farah is also a proud product of the New York City public school system, attending Midwood High School in the heart of Flatbush.
May 4, 2019
The guests this week include Rabbi Moshe Heir, NYC Council Candidate Monique Chandler-Waterman (District 45/Special Election) and community activist Chaskel Bennett. The first half of this week’s show discusses the murders at the Chabad of Poway in California. The second half of the show focuses on the upcoming election to fill the vacant seat in Brooklyn’s City Council District 45.
More about the Guests…
Rabbi Marvin Heir is the Dean and Founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, its Museum of Tolerance and of Moriah, the Center’s film division. He was “the first Orthodox rabbi ever to give a benediction at an American president’s inauguration“.
Monique Chandler Waterman is a top candidate for the city council seat vacated in District 45 and received the endorsement of Jumaane Williams , who last held the seat and is now the Public Advocate of New York City. Monique has been a Community Organizer, a Public School Teacher and a Civil Rights Advocate. She is a Community Outreach Director for former Council Member Jumaane Williams.
April 27, 2019
Discussion regarding IMMUNIZATION. Host Leon Goldberg shares his families personal experience with vaccinations. Guest Dr. Jane Zucker is the Assistant Commissioner at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She speaks in regard to people whom should be vaccinated and those hwom cannot for pre-existing medical reasons. Dr. Zucker formerly worked for the CDC. The show moves on to include details of why a certain sect of Jews refuse to get vaccine and how this affects the community in terms of health and public perception.
April 20, 2019
No show this week, in observance of Passover
April 13, 2019
Discussion regarding the elections in Israel. This week’s guest is Malcolm Hoenlein who is the Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Early legislative elections were held in Israel on April 9, 2019 to elect the 120 members of the 21st Knesset. Elections had been due in November 2019, but were brought forward following a dispute between members of the current government over a bill on national service for the ultra-Orthodox population, as well as impending corruption charges against incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This charge comes despite the fact Netanyahu has a very trusted reputation in Israel. He also managed to capture the millennial vote. This is a very telling point to note.
April 6, 2019
Guest Nathan “Nat” Lewin is an acclaimed lawyer at Lewin & Lewin. Discussion regarding the Blaine Amendment (click here for full details). Additionally, discussion regarding Lewin’s relation to the Holocaust and his families journey in bringing their family to America by use of determination and meticulous maneuvering. He was 5 years old when his family was able to escape the Holocaust and get into the United States.
More about this week’s guest: Nat Lewin has engaged in trial and appellate litigation in federal and state courts for more than 55 years. Lewin also fought the case for Chabad of which allowed them to place their private Chanukah Menorah’s in public spaces. He has been voted by his peers to be included in “The Best Lawyers in America” in the District of Columbia for all of the 25 editions of that volume. He has argued 28 cases before the Supreme Court of the United States and drafted and filed more than 235 briefs in that Court.
March 30, 2019
Host Leon Goldenberg speaks with U.S Customs and Boarder Protection Dept. Discussion regarding what their top priority that they are looking for, the benefits of Global Entry, currency regulations when traveling and more. They even go on to speak about topics such as the limited fruits and nuts that are and are not allowed on airplanes, airline passengers traveling with etrogs and more.
Guests from the Department include: Frank Russo Port Director of the Office of Field Operations. Ginger Peron, Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialist. Anthony Compost Supervisor Customs and Boarder Protection Officer, who deals more with outgoing.
March 23, 2019
Guest Shafik Gabr, International Chairman of Sadat Congressional Gold Medal Commission. He is a leader in business and one of the world’s premiere collectors of oriental art. Gabr is also a dedicated philanthropist.
Host Leon Goldenberg speaks with Safik Gabr in regards to why people felt that President Sadat was a leader deserving of the Congressional Medal. More details revealed which pertain to what happened when the President took the chance of introducing his commitment for peace and how Egypt was cut off and even removed from the Arab League. Learn how President Sadat accomplished his mission at a very high price to himself.
March 16, 2019
This week is part 2, of the journey to obtain the Congressional Gold Medal for former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. Followed by the recent invite to be hosted in Eygpt, by the country’s current President, to the group involved in securing this honor for President Sadat.
This segment of Community Matters is Guest Hosted by Chaskel Bennett. Guests include Rabbi Eli Abadi, Ezra Friedlander of the Friedlander Group, Eli Epstein, Leon Goldenberg and Agi Goldenberg.
March 9, 2019
This week’s show is Guest Hosted by Chaskel Bennett. Guests on the show include Leon Goldenberg and Ezra Friedlander of the Friedlander Group. Discussion this week is regarding the recent trip to Egypt in which a delegation of Orthodox Jews met with the President of Egypt. It should be underlined that they were the guests of the President.
Leon and Ezra were responsible for putting together this commission of which sought and secured the Congressional Medal of Honor for President Sadat.
March 2, 2019
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez joins to the show to discuss the spike in attacks against Jews. Specifically, the discussion begins as a review in what the D.A. considers when he pushes to charge someone with a Hate Crime. The point is made that – sometimes things look like hate crimes but they are hard to prove because of a lack of evidence.
The D.A. says that he has a plan to work on addressing what has happened to Jews in Crown Heights and stop it from continuing. He plans to work on the Crown Heights Community and get together community leaders, groups of kids and more to really reach the community.
Discussion also includes how, the D.A.’s office is also doing proactive investigations. Previously, past persons in this position would deal with situations after they happened. Currently, D.A. Eric Gonzalez is trying to identify the persons and stop them before it occurs or stop them from continuing.
February 23, 2019
Discussion regarding the upcoming Legislative Breakfast of COJO – Flatbush.
This Week’s Guests include:
– Larry Speiwak, Chairman, COJO-Flatbush
– Moshe Zakheim, Board COJO-Flatbush
– Lou Welz, Executive Director of COJO-Flatbush
– Honoree Dov Bauman, President of Glatt Mart
Congrats to this years honorees at COJO’s Legislative Breakfast: Congressman Peter King, NYS state senator Andrew Gounardes, NYS Assembly member Simcha Eichenstein , NYC councilman Justin Brannan, Police Commissioner James O’Neill, Zahava Szasz Stressel – PhD, mount sinai president Scott Lorin MD, MBA ; CEO of Goldmont Realty – Leon Goldenberg, President of Glatt Mart Dov Bauman and devoted COJO volunteer Esther Raphael
February 16, 2019
Public Advocate Candidates:
Ron Kim is a New York State Assembly member representing the 40th District, which includes portions of Whitestone, Flushing, College Point, and Murray Hill in Queens. He is proposing “The People’s Deal.” This includes Cancel Student Debt, End Corporate Subsidies and Bust the Trusts.
New York City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, represents the 10th Council District, which includes the neighborhoods of Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill. He has been an advocate for immigrants in his district of Upper Manhattan. Rodríguez serves as the Chairman of the Council Transportation Committee.
February 9, 2019
Guest, Rabbi Eli Cohen of Crown Heights Jewish Community Council. Met Council is the umbrella organization for this and 15 other local Jewish Community Councils.
Discussion regarding security concerns in the Crown Heights area. Specifically topics concerning the recent attacks on Jews. The turnaround time on the attacks. Plus, the motives that made these attacks pushed toward being labeled more severe. Ultimately, the Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez has pushed for Hate Crime charges.
February 2, 2019
The New York City Public Advocate Race is going strong and the Election Date for this race is coming up on February 26, 2019. This week’s show focuses on two of the 16 candidates in this year’s race. Host Leon Goldenberg speaks with these candidates about various topics.
Candidates on the show:
– First segment: NYC Council Member Raphael Espinal
– Second segment: Assemblyman Michael Blake
Raphael Espinal graduated from Queens College, then became a teacher of Adult Literacy and General Education Degree (GED) courses in his neighborhood. He begin to work for New York City Councilman Erik Martin Dilan in 2007. Fast-forward to 2011, Rafael stepped up to the opportunity of serving the 54th Assembly District as a New York State Assembly Member. Over the course of 2 years in the New York State Assembly, Rafael passed 4 bills, fighting liberally for better health care, more sensible immigration practices, and fiscal policies that would benefit the greater good. His unwavering work was recognized by City and State as one of New York City’s “40 under 40 Rising Stars”. In 2013, Rafael was elected to the City Council, where he currently is continuing his work.
Click Here to view his FULL BIO on Official website
Michael Blake is a third term Assembly Member in the New York State Assembly representing the 79th District in The Bronx, New York. He graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Blake helped lead efforts to create the first — and only — statewide My Brother’s Keeper education program in the country, securing more than $56 million in funding for programs dedicated to helping young men of color graduate from school and obtain stable careers. Additionally, he worked in President Obama’s administration directing African-American, state and local government official and Minority and Women Business Enterprises outreach and used his skills to create change in his own community. According to his official website, he feels that City Hall and agencies must be held accountable for their failures with NYCHA and the MTA.
CLICK HERE to view FULL BIO on his Official Website
January 26, 2019
Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein was elected on November 6, 2018, to represent New York’s 48th Assembly District, which includes the neighborhoods of Borough Park and Midwood in Brooklyn.
Before his election, Simcha served on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s legislative affairs team in Albany, and as part of the mayor’s senior Intergovernmental staff at City Hall. During this time, Simcha played a crucial role advocating for budgetary and legislative priorities vital to the City of New York in Albany, and was instrumental in helping craft and pass many pieces of legislation in the state legislature. Simcha’s City Hall portfolio included the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Department for the Aging (DFTA), Department of Homeless Services (DHS), Human Resources Administration (HRA), NYC Health and Hospitals, Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), Department of Transportation (DOT), Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), and Thrive NYC.
January 19, 2019
The guests tonight are New York Council-members Jumanne Williams and Eric Ulrich. They and 22 other candidates are seeking to fill the vacant seat for New York City Public Advocate. The special Election is being held February 26, 2019.
Councilman Eric Ulrich is a Member of the New York City Council representing the 32nd District. His constituency includes the neighborhoods of Belle Harbor, Breezy Point and more in Queens. He is a moderate Republican. Ulrich is a moderate Republican, breaking from conservatives on minimum wage legislation, his vocal opposition to President Donald Trump, and his support for rent stabilization.
Councilman Jumaane Williams represents the 45th District. He was diagnosed with Tourette’s and ADHD at an early age, but made it through the public school system from pre-school to master’s. Jumaane began his career as a community organizer by serving as the assistant director for the Greater Flatbush Beacon School, then later as the executive director of New York State Tenants & Neighbors.
January 12, 2019
Dr. Jane Zucker comes on the show. She is the Assistant Commissioner at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She formerly worked for the CDC. Discussion regarding vaccines and immunizations and how a certain sect of Jews refuse to get vaccines.
January 5, 2019
Welcoming in 2019 with out first guest of the year, Aaron David Miller. He is the Vice President and Middle East Program Director at the Wilson Center, and is among America’s foremost experts on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. policy in the Middle East.
Discussion on global issues. Primarily, speaking on troops deployed in various countries and how long they are needed on the ground. Explanation of what it means to really bring troops home. And, the future of a dysfunctional middle east.