Transcript: Mayor Bill de Blasio Delivers Remarks at 40Th Anniversary Gala of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York

April 13, 2016

Mayor Bill de Blasio: I have one ready – I have a joke ready. JCRC is bringing people of different heights together.

[Laughter]

Across the height divide – Marissa, thank you. Thank you for your wonderful leadership. Thank you for being one of the co-host of this great dinner. What a joyous occasion – really extraordinary when you look at that video and you think about how much has been achieved and how much this organization, which started with a great idea, but now has become a part of the firmament of New York City. And what a glorious thing that when we say part of the firmament of New York City we mean across all communities. The video really powerfully portrayed that there is a love and respect for this organization, and it can be found in every borough and every community. That’s something truly to celebrate. Let’s congratulate everyone who was a part of that great success.

[Applause]

Now, I am going to give you a couple of different perspectives on why this evening is so important. And first, I have to tell you that I have a particular privilege. There’s nothing more wonderful than being mayor of New York City, but with that role comes a special place in the world. Now, I am going to tell you – and [inaudible] will attest to this fact – that I have had this conversation with Mayor Huldai of Tel Aviv, and I have had this conversation with Mayor Barkat of Jerusalem, and I have told them that they have beautiful cities – wonderful cities – and they have large vibrant Jewish populations. And I have looked them in the eye and said just one thing – my Jewish population is bigger than yours.

[Applause]

And so, at 1.2 million New Yorkers – what an extraordinary thing that this evermore vibrant community is what I had the honor of representing – the largest Jewish community in any city on the Earth. And what an extraordinary community, but with that comes – yes, you can clap for that.

[Applause]

With that comes a special responsibility not only to do all that we can in the City of New York – all that we can through the NYPD to protect this community – but to also stand up for the Jewish community worldwide, and stand up for the State of Israel. I consider that consistent with the core mission of my work, because serving as the Mayor of the City with the largest Jewish population on Earth means we have a fundamental and eternal link to Jewish communities all over the world and to the State of Israel. And we are here to stand by them each and every time.

[Applause]

Now, I have to say – I’m just going to mention a few people – this is my absolutely subjective judgement, but I stand by it. I don’t think the State of Israel has a better, more effective, more intelligent, more charming, or taller representative anywhere in the world in Ido Aharoni –

[Applause]

– who’s done extraordinary work and has earned the love of people all over this city. I want to thank so many of the leaders of JCRC for all you’re achieving today. Of course, your president Ronald Weiner – thank you for your leadership; Michael Miller, I’m going to talk about you in a little bit. Thank you for all you have done. Susan Doft, thank you for your leadership.

[Applause]

Charlie [inaudible], coming in as president soon, thank you for all you will be doing.

[Applause]

And I want to thank, obviously, a key ally in this work – the president of UJA Alisa Robbins Doctoroff. Thank you, Alisa, for all you do for this City and for the community.

[Applause]

From my administration, someone who works just like JCRC across all the communities and helps to bind them together in this extraordinary place, our Commissioner for Community Affairs Marco Carrion. Thank you for your leadership.

[Applause]

And someone I love to acknowledge because he got me my first job in New York City public life, and because of him I had the honor of meeting the women who would become my wife, and because of him I have the two most wonderful children in the world. So, whenever – I always say, if anyone who said, what did Mayor Dinkins do for you – I can tell you what Mayor Dinkins did for me, and he did a lot for this city, and he did so much to make this one city. Let’s thank Mayor Dinkins.

[Applause]

Now, I mentioned – and I’ll be very quick – but I mentioned that we have a responsibility in this City to protect all communities, but we know the Jewish community for its entire history has faced particular threats. And we know we have a special obligation to protect, which is why one thing that needs to be understood – when we see an attack on a Jewish community anywhere in the world the NYPD goes on alert and protects Jewish community centers here in this city automatically. And we are proud of that fact.

[Applause]

And we are adding to our capacity to protect this city, to protect the Jewish community and its institutions, but to protect all New Yorkers against the threat of terror. For the very first time in this City, a dedicated anti-terror force – 500-plus officers in our Critical Response Command. It is the most sophisticated, best armed, best trained anti-terror force of any city in the country. And we are best prepared to handle this threat that surrounds us now. And because we are best prepared we have great confidence in the ability of the NYPD to continue to keep us safe. Now, that is one part of the responsibility, but there’s another challenge; the challenge of anti-Semitism. I don’t have to tell anyone in this room anti-Semitism is all too evidently alive and well in Western Europe and in Latin America. And there is still too much here in this country. 

So, another thing New York City has to contribute is to show that we don’t tolerate any act of anti-Semitism, any bias crime is acted on quickly and thoroughly, and there are real consequences for the perpetrators, because we need to be a government – and we need to model this for some other governments in Western nations that still don’t do enough – we need to be a government that shows by our actions we do not tolerate any affront to the Jewish community. 

[Applause]

The JCRC also reminds us of our hopes and our aspirations. And what JCRC has done to knit communities together not just – not just to help the Jewish community understand other communities, and other communities to understand the Jewish community – something deeper to help create a stronger fabric for this entire city in the name of all. And that is such a powerful mission, and JCRC has often been the go-to – as was said in the video – the convener, the place, and the people that everyone could agree on who are respected, and fair, and open to all. What an amazing statement in the most cosmopolitan, most diverse city on the Earth – that this organization has stood at that pivot as the place where everyone can meet in peace.

When we’ve had challenges in this city, when we’ve had conflicts, when that social fabric started to tear, JCRC was often one of the very first organizations to help to bind it back together and to bring peace again. And that process, time and again, really lead us forward, because, today, we are a more harmonious city. Today, in fact, in a world where there are too many divisions, in a world where people are spewing hate based on people’s ethnicities and religions, New York City stands as a positive example, as a beacon – as an example of all the good of immigration, of multiculturalism, of the respect across faiths. And part of that success can be attributed to the work of JCRC, and that is something to be very, very proud of. 

[Applause]

Now, I’ll conclude very quickly with this – do not underestimate for a moment – I think people know it intellectually, but I want you to feel it in your hearts – the difference for someone who cares about the world and cares about all communities and has, on top of that, been to the State of Israel versus someone who hasn’t. If you haven’t been, you see the world differently. Once you have been, the insights you gain, the personal connection, the deep sense of solidarity grows. Now, that’s what JCRC has contributed for so many of us, giving us that connection, showing us a human dimension that would be impossible to reach otherwise. 

I can tell you not just from me – from my wife, Chirlane, from my son, Dante – he’s very famous from TV advertisements –

[Laughter]

We were taught about Israel so personally, so powerfully by not only a great leader, not only a great thinker, not only a great rabbi, but the best tour guide you will ever meet in your life, Michael Miller. Thank you.

[Applause]

And Michael has that ability to say things that stick with you, that really make you think, that make you feel solidarity. So, for everyone in this room who has contributed to this organization, for everyone who’s put their time, and their energy, and their resources into it, I hope you know what an extraordinary multiplier effect it has had. I saw thank you for all you’ve done for this city, and for making us a stronger and more cohesive city. But for anyone who says, what’s the best way to help people understand and feel solidarity with the State of Israel? Well, if you’ve donated to JCRC, you’ve already taken the most profound step in my view, because that work has been invaluable. It’s changed so many of our lives for the better, and it gives us a desire to stand strong for Israel.

Look, I want to tell you you’ve chosen some wonderful people to honor tonight, and they are all people who have done a lot for this city. I want to congratulate them – of course, Ronald Weiner for all he’s done for this organization. Thank you, again, Ronald, for your extraordinary leadership.

[Applause]

Joshua and Jason Muss, who have done so much, I have to say, for Brooklyn especially. Brooklyn thanks you.

[Applause]

And Ed Skyler – even though we served in different administrations, we are similar heights, let me say that. I’m going to bring that height theme back. But it is impossible not to respect the extraordinary public service of Ed Skylar. Let’s thank him for all he’s done.

[Applause]

So, four decades along in your mission – four decades, and you have lived up to the notion of tikkun olam brilliantly. You have taken that concept and put it into action and brought it to life, and there are millions of New Yorkers who are the better for it. And there are millions of Israelis who can feel the solidarity that you’ve created with your great work here. We thank you. 40 more years ahead, and many more thereafter. 

Thank you, and God bless you all.