Westchester County Legislator from New Rochelle Recounts Trip to Israel

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (November 24, 2025) — Westchester County Legislator Judah Holstein (D-10) joined several government colleagues on a trip to Israel and the West Bank funded by the Westchester Jewish Council .

“We learned so much about the government, the history, the current reality on the ground, and the grassroots groups working every day to build relationships and move toward coexistence,” said Holstein. “We also had the chance to see some of the progressive initiatives shaping the country’s future.”

The delegation was led by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and included Holstein along with Westchester County Legislators Emiljana Ulaj of District 98, New York State Assembly Member J. Gary Pretlow of District 89, Greenburgh Councilwoman Gina Jackson, New Rochelle Council Member Martha Lopez, Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney, Yorktown Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman, Port Chester Mayor Luis Marino, Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie and Peekskill Councilmembers Patrick Jenkins, Crystal Collins, and Tami Arnowitz.

Holstein published a detailed travelogue with photos on his Facebook profile.

Westchester County Legislator Judah Holstein shared a vivid travelogue on social media detailing a delegation’s recent visit to Israel, featuring a series of insightful encounters and site visits aimed at fostering understanding and dialogue.

The group heard perspectives from Palestinian journalist Khaled Abu Toameh and learned about Ariel Sharon Park, a stunning environmental park built atop the capped Hiriya landfill, which serves as a model of ecological rehabilitation—more details on the park can be found on its Wikipedia page. They experienced a simulated Gaza tunnel at Hostage Square, which they hope will soon be renamed Freedom Square, and listened to Gilad Korngold recount the harrowing story of his family’s capture, including the release of hostage Tal Shoham and seven other relatives after 505 days. At the ANU Museum, formerly the Diaspora Museum, the delegation explored global connections to Israel, noting how minority populations worldwide face hate through unique lenses; in Israel, where Jews are the majority, efforts are made to treat others with the respect they seek elsewhere, a principle reflected in the museum’s rebuilding and renaming.

The visit also included hearing about the evolving experiences of Ethiopian Jewry, viewing the Nova festival site with its memorial photos for victims, and meeting Rafi Bavian, Regional Head of Security for the Sdot Negev Regional Council. Bavian shared his October 7 story and highlighted the charitable work of his neighbor, Rabbi Shlomi, who supports the hungry and cares for children with special needs; the group joyously packed food for charity alongside staff and local students, later mingling, singing, and dancing with the children. At FeelBeit, a cultural venue in Jerusalem, they met two residents—a Jew from West Jerusalem and an Arab from East Jerusalem—who founded the space to unite communities through music, art, and culture, with more information available on feelbeit.com. Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Adir Schwarz outlined his vision for the city’s future, emphasizing clean energy, economic growth, and affordable housing.

Further highlights included discussions with Shaul, an Israeli settler, and Noor, a Palestinian tour guide, on bridge-building efforts between communities near Gush Etzion and Bethlehem in the West Bank through their group, known as Shorashim in Hebrew, Judur in Arabic, or Roots in English—details on their programs can be found at friendsofroots.net. The delegation learned about Jerusalem Venture Partners (not to be confused with other organizations of similar initials), which invests in Israeli tech ventures to advance the “Startup Nation” in emerging technologies.

Shirley Pinto, a former Knesset member, shared her advocacy for those with disabilities, while a tour of the Knesset revealed committee rooms far more elegant than those in Westchester County, sparking ideas for potential upgrades back home. The group delved into Israel’s Declaration of Independence, noting the compromise between secular Labor and Orthodox Likud leaders, where direct references to God were avoided in favor of the phrase “Rock of Israel” (צור ישראל).

Culinary and historical experiences rounded out the trip: Chef Yuval Attias taught the delegation to prepare and cook dinner, after helping them shop for spices and ingredients at Mahane Yehuda market. They toured the revamped Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, visited Yad b’Yad school where Jewish and Arab students from East and West Jerusalem learn and socialize together—paving a path to peace through integrated education—and met Mr. Nussaibah, whose family has served as gatekeepers of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for nearly a millennium. A visit to the Temple Mount required refraining from religious items or yarmulkes to avoid offending the Waqf, who restrict non-Muslim prayer there. From the Sderot lookout overlooking Gaza, they reflected on regional tensions, especially after a Red Alert sounded the following day, as captured in a shared Facebook video. The trip concluded with a dinner meeting featuring Yonah Jeremy Bob, who provided an overview of Israel’s political system, contrasting it with American and British models, and detailing key parties and historical figures.