Rockland Daily Brings Leaders Together at First-Ever Chanukah Gathering

Kal Media and Rockland Daily are truly honored to host this gathering through the lighting of the monora. We do so against the backdrop of a world that too often feels clouded by division, hatred, darkness, and the troubling rise of anti-semitism. In moments such as these, the message of Kaneka resonates even greater urgency. It is therefore profoundly reassuring to stand here today and acknowledge the unwavering support of our partners in government, public safety, and law enforcement. Individuals who consistently stand shoulderto-sh shoulder with the Jewish community of Rockland County. Your commitment to protecting our communities, upholding justice, and ensuring that all citizens feel safer and represented does not go unnoticed. As both a community and a media agency, our mission is clear to spread light, truth, and understanding. Knowing that we had we have steadfast allies in you, leaders who share these values and work tirelessly on behalf of the public good strengthens our resolve and respires our work. Over the past several years, Rockland Daily has proudly served our community with integrity, responsibility, and dedication. We strive to deliver timely, accurate reporting while working together with elected officials, public agencies, and community leaders. Together, we raise awareness of the issues that matter most to Ruckland County residents, and ensure that vital information reaches the public clearly and responsibly. The relationship between government institutions and the principled independent media is not merely beneficial. It is essential. It is the cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and any healthy democracy. The work that you do by passing legislation and upholding laws is crucial to our very livelihood. Without it, society would descend into chaos. Yet without responsible media to inform and connect the public to those efforts, people would be left in the dark, uncertain of whom to trust or how their communities are being served. Both are indispensable. And when they work in harmony, the result is strength, stability, and trust. It is with great pride that I can stand here today and say that the relationship between Rockland Daily and our local officials and law enforcement has never been stronger. The mutual respect, cooperation, and shared sense of purpose between us are evident and they do not exist by chance. They are built through consistent collaboration and a genuine commitment to the well-being of the community we all serve. This celebration is in many ways a moment of gratitude, a chance to publicly thank you for your partnership, your support, your dedication to the large Rockland County Jewish community as a whole and to our agency, Rockland Daily, as a media company. May we continue together to ensure that the light symbolized by the Kaneka candles does not fade when the holiday ends, but instead shines brightly throughout the entire year, growing stronger, clearer, and more impactful with each passing day. Thank you and a happy Khan. From our very own community, a leader who works tirelessly to serve everyone county. We are proud to call Assemblyman Aron Benian Weider one of our own. [applause] His dedication, integrity, and commitment to the community make him a true partner and advocate for all. I'd like to invite Assembly Mida to share his remarks. [applause] >> Good evening everyone. For years, I've been in politics and public service for close to 16 17 years. Originally, we always felt that there is no credible news outlet without a bias reporting the news. That thankfully has come to an end with Rockland Daily. [applause] a true blessing for the entire Rockland community. And I would like to thank Rockland Daily for hosting this meet and greet and for opening your doors to us this evening. This event is about people behind the headlines. The staff who show up every single day so our community, our beloved county, can stay informed, connected, and engaged. Now, headlines don't appear by magic. Stories don't write themselves. And trust isn't built overnight. It's built by people, by editors, reporters, our favorite photographers, and staff [applause] and staff who ask the hard questions. They check facts and show up even when the story isn't easy. Local journalism is the heartbeat. It's the heartbeat of every community. When it's strong, communities are informed. When it's fair, communities are confident. And when it's local, communities feel seen and heard. [clears throat] Rockland Daily doesn't. They do not just report news. Rockland Daily, all of you, all the staff, the beautiful staff members, you reflect Rockland County. You cover breaking news, safety concern because it puts faces to bylines. It reminds us that behind every article is judgment, responsibility, and care. You are not reporting from a distance. You are part of the community you cover. In challenging, very challenging and uncertain times, your role, Rockland Daily, becomes even more critical. Clear information cuts through the noise. Accurate reporting builds trust, and responsible journalism helps keeping communities steady when things feel very unsettled. Now, let me say this. Every voice deserves to be here. Every story counts and local journalism matters. Now these are not slogans, they are realities we see every day here in Rockland County. Now this meet and greet also represents something very important and that is access. When community leaders and public officials can speak openly, ask questions, and listen to one another, everyone benefits. I remember when I started out in getting involved in local politics and community affairs, I used to speak to reporters on a daily basis. Never once did I feel that I was hurt. that my community was here. That no longer is happening in Rocklin County. And this benefits this benefits everyone. Transparency is not a threat. It's a foundation. It's a foundation where beautiful communities can be built. To the Rockland Daily staff, I thank you for your professionalism, your dedication, and your commitment to getting it just right. Your work informs decisions. The stories being told keeps elected officials informed, and they inform decision. They we we make decisions based upon the news. So, that's critically important. So, your your work informs decisions. They spark dialogue and keeps the public connected to what matters most. Thank you for hosting us tonight. Thank you for welcoming us and thank you for the work you do. Often under pressure, often behind the scenes, but always with impact because strong communities don't happen by accident. And Rockwood Daily covers a lot of accidents, but strong communities don't happen by accident. They happen when people care enough [clears throat] to tell the story. Right. Thank you and enjoy the evening. [applause] 91 interest in our community and taking the time to visit and connect with us. Even had a great run in conversation with him a few moments ago. What we call in Yiddish a true real mench. We're honored to welcome New York State Senator Bill Weber. Mr. Senator [applause] Well, I I heard that this is the hottest ticket except for the White House correspondents dinner, right? Second to the White House. I know Rafi would appreciate that as well. But it's great to be here and I think um you know what Assemblyman Weider said is extremely important that local journalism is is important now more than ever, especially in the Rockland area where we are. You know, News12, you know, moved their um their studio from Yoners, I think, to Long Island. They have very sporadic coverage, good coverage, but you know, it's very hard to get them to attend all of the events that we would like them to. Low HUD, listen, I don't think I have to mention much about Low Hood. They still have my district as being part of a in recent articles. you know, they don't really do their do their due diligence. But Rockland Daily, as I said earlier today, you know, whenever we have a news conference, whether it's in Muny, whether it's in Stony Point, whether it's in Havstro, wherever, Rockland Daily is always there to really report on the news of the day and really to make sure that that that that the news that we want to get out really gets done in a in a professional manner. So, I appreciate every everything that Rockland Daily does. I do want to I do want to recognize some of the um the members that are affiliated with the uh Rockland Daily. You have Tulie Younger Fry Greenfield [applause] Greenfield who I'm told his grandmother uh passed away today. So I'm very sorry for his loss and you know if we could just extend you know my condolences as well. Yankee Gans who I you probably see [applause] everywhere. Aaron Burgerer, we see Aaron all the time, too. I know Hayam Rose's son, Yzrael Rose, is a writer now. [applause] Rosie Pop, who I'd always hear to maybe over there, and Haim Solinsky as well. [applause] You know, these are the men that really make it happen out in in in the field. They they come out to all of the sites. They're out really reporting on news, whether it's at 5:00 in the morning or 5:00 at night. You're always out there. here writing great articles and really keeping the people informed because as I said, low HUD, forget it. News12 very good when they're around, but local journalism is important, especially especially since we see this toxic hate on internet, Facebook sites these days and people are getting a lot of their news from these sites. So, it's now more than ever to make sure that we counterbalance that with fair and accurate accurate reporting. I know Dland Daily now has a Facebook site as well. I know my scoop may have one, too. I think that's great so that the the messages that that are out there are not just one-sided like they've been in the past. But I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to represent um not only uh um the Ramapo area, Montabella, specifically the village where I live. So, it's the best village. Thank you, Mayor Gilman. I can say that because I live in this village. But um I'm proud to represent the 38th district in Rockland County and I'm and you have my continual um um commitment that I will be at every single event whether it's a letter opening ceremony or whether it's important stuff like today will always be there to recognize the true greatness in this district and make things happen. Thank you and uh have a good new year everyone. [applause] >> A dear friend, first of all, thank you so much, Senator. A dear friend of our community here in Montabelloo where this great event takes place is the mayor of Montabelloo, Mr. Lance Filman. And if you can hear a couple of words, Mr. Mayor [applause] I'd like to thank everybody to Montabelloo. Okay. I hope you're enjoying our little village. Um this is a wonderful event. the ability for everybody to meet everybody in the surrounding areas and within our village and the police and the fire people and the all the politicians along with Montabelloo that work together to work hard and tirelessly to make this area one of the greatest areas to live in my opinion. So I appreciate everything that the Rockland Daily does. I appreciate that you have us here and once again I thank you to Montabelloo. I also have my deputy mayor here Stacy Kiti from Montabelloo. [applause] As you as you could see nobody really knows who she is now just [laughter] but once again we thank you for inviting us to this and like every other surrounding area. We will do our best to make sure that everybody loves our area, understands our area, and that we keep everybody as safe as possible. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor. And I would like to call up a dear friend, the supervisor of the town of Rampo, Michael Spec. >> [applause] >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And thank you for having me here. This is a great occasion. Uh way to get everybody here to mingle and meet with you and we see you and your staff. I think probably all of us can say we see you every day, but it's great to be at this type of event. Really just a relaxed, informal, friendly celebration. Uh, I'm going to repeat what all the other speakers have said and just say how impressed I am by the service you provide as a local news organization when we've really lost any sense of local media in this county, in this town. Uh, and not only are you providing a service that other organizations no longer provide, you're doing it so much better and so much more professionally. I know I've been an elected official now for over eight years about eight years and I can say that in the past when some of the I'll call them the legacy news organizations would call for a comment whether it was Loh 12 about a story whether it was something good or something bad something great we did or something that happened. I always had anxiety not because I was afraid of what to talk about. Not that I was afraid to answer any questions, no matter how difficult or challenging, because I was afraid how what I would say will be twisted to suit an agenda that was not the truth. And we don't have that with Rockland because you present the truth. You present the objectivity of what happened. And I know that whatever the answer is, you're going to print what we say, no more, no less. You'll maybe print additional information, but you're not going to twist the words that we say. You're not going to think out of context. You're not going to cut out relevant things that provide information and context to the reader because you care about the truth and you care about our residents finding out what really happened, not fitting an agenda to suit biases that we've seen in the past. So, that is an amazing service. Uh, democracy relies on an informed public and a free press and you guys do it so great. So, I just want to say thank you. Keep up the great work. Happy and healthy New Year. [applause] Thank you so much. A great friend of our community, the supervisor of the V of of of Hestro, >> sorry, sorry, town town of Hestro, Howie Phillips. Thank you so much. >> I reminded supervisor spec at the Manora lighting in the village of Pomona that Ramapo used to be Havistro. I want to meet that supervisor that gave it away. [laughter] If I >> if I reiterate some of the things that your previous speaker spoke about, excuse me, but I think this is just a critical thing that we have going on here today. Media matters. Michael just said it. The truth matters. The truth is a sacred virtue. And many times in the media, we've seen it manipulated for people's purposes. We've seen the truth suppressed. And by having a media outlet like this, it's going to open up doors and it's also going to break down barriers, prejudice, misunderstanding. It will bring people together. I've had the wonderful advantage of serving the people of our community in Rockland County for that many years. And at all times, you get to know all of the reporters. You get to know their integrity. You get to know, are they here looking for the truth? Are they here for an agenda? I I can't tell you how much I welcome this because I think this is going to give an insight to people throughout Rocklin County about the Jewish community, the vibrant Jewish community. You know, I've been to different events with all of you where we laughed, we've eaten, we've had such great times. Those are the things that everyone in Rockland County needs to see and needs to know. We are one family. We're one people. We come from all different backgrounds. But having a media be able to communicate, explain, that's what builds relationships and bonds. So I look forward to this and I look forward to you coming to Havstra and reporting on the news. And don't forget, as one very smart elected official said years ago, if you don't have a photo of it, it never happened. Thank you everyone. [applause] Thank you so much. Next, I would like to call up a dear friend of our community for many years now, Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh. [applause] Good evening. Now I know Howie Phillips. I know his predecessors as supervisors of the town of Havstra. So Howie, is it accurate to say that Havstra actually gave something away? [laughter] >> Never. But in that case, I think the Ramapo did pretty well and got a good part of of the deal. And I was thinking as during the last week as we light the minora, the candles represent light and goodness that pushes back the darkness. And I was thinking that another symbol of pushing back darkness is the lamp of knowledge that burns so bright. And through knowledge and education we can push back discrimination, bias, bigotry. We need the debate in the marketplace of ideas. And the foundation of the debate and the ability to dispute different issues and come to a satisfactory resolution is facts. And we have an organization now, Rockland Daily, that will present to the public, its constituents, its customers, its clients, the facts, and from those facts, we can come out, we can debate, and we can reach a resolution. Unfortunately, as been alluded to by other speakers, we no longer in this country have facts to discuss in a debate. We have each individual's perspective in view. People may have many different opinions, but these opinions should be based upon facts, objective evidence. And I want to thank local media such as Rockland Daily for going out and presenting the people of Ramipo, Harstraw, Clarkstown, Stony Point, Orange Town with the facts so that they can make their decisions for a good government and a better civil society. Thank you, Rockland Daily. [applause] Thank you so much. >> One of the towns that is truly an example and a role model of how to integrate a community in a great way is the town of Clarkston and the their supervisor that has been helping is so friendly to our community has just arrived, Mr. George Hman. Thank you so much for coming. [applause] >> Well, that was quick. you know, uh, little difficulty parking. It's good to see all my fellow supervisors here, Supervisor Phillips and Supervisor Spec. And I just want to thank Rockland Daily. You know, um, they cover a lot of our events. It's wonderful to see them actually growing within Rockland County. And again, um, you know, when you think about it, there are really, we're looking at a news desert in Rockland County. the closing of WRCR, um the Journal News, pretty much everything's behind a payw wall. And literally, you have to kind of work to make sure that you're getting your message out and you have to work to make sure that you're informing your residents. And Rockland Daily has really become a wonderful new format within the town of Clarkstown. I want to thank you for your partnership. I want to thank you for covering our events and I want to wish everybody the blessings. you know, we're coming to the end of uh this year and I want to wish everybody a very happy and healthy and blessed new year. Thank you all. [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you so much. And again on behalf of our entire team of Rakan Daily here and of Clone Media, the work that we've put in throughout the last few years and as we've heard of the many speakers today, the relationship between government, elected officials and Iraqi is so important and the fact is that in the times that we live, if we can get out news the way we do the daily local news that which is so important and our bigger brand clown media that does it internationally as far as we can go but every place we come locally and the relationships that we have with every single person truly. So we really appreciate every single person. Um I would like to call up Mano Montel from the town of Ramo that she is behind um all Mali operations. >> [applause] >> Thank you very much. You know, um, generally speaking, I wouldn't stand here and speak before all of you. Um, I give Stacy a lot of credit. I used to always say I'm the only woman in the room. It's nice that you're here, Stacy. I I think the the thing that strikes me as the most important aspect of being here, first of all, it's Rottland Daily and it's not the Muny Daily or the Ramo Daily or the Clarkstown Daily. And I think the fact that they don't only report on what's happening within the Jewish community, but they report on everything that's out there has them stand above many other outlets that are outside, which we we said it's barren here. But I will tell you this, we had a little problem suddenly everybody was talking about in that what do you call it? And all of our law enforcement that's tried to make a difference for us. But what makes a difference is the fact that we're all here together. I always say learning from my my mentor Herb Reeseman and beyond before that and you've met all of you who know me here know this is a classic line that I'll come up with politics. Polly is many and ticks are blood sucking parasites. [laughter] And what we who eventually get into government must believe in is good government. And that's what you see in this room. Party doesn't matter. Good government matters. Rockland Daily, you've taken that to the next level. People are looking and watching at what you're doing. And we not only in the town of Ramipo, but all over this county, thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of the people of this county. And thank you for changing the narrative because that's what you've done. You've changed the narrative. We are safer today because you changed that narrative. Law enforcement, thank you for being here with us. [applause] [applause] We wouldn't be one of the safest counties in the country if it wasn't for all of you. And we say thank you, Roth and Daily. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. Thank you so much. And again, thanks for everybody for showing up and showing out. Seriously, it has been an amazing event. And we're not done yet. Just a point. The relationship that we spoke about between media and politics we've heard so much. It's beautifully reflected in the symbolism of Kaneka. The candles themselves. Each flame requires both a wick and the wax. Without wax, the wick would burn out instantly. Without the wick, the wax would never give a light, would be useless. Each depend on the other to fulfill the purpose. So too does our society depend on a mutual support between government leadership, law enforcement, and the media. You create the laws, policies, and protections that safeguard our communities. while our responsibility is to report, inform, and illuminate the remarkable work that you do. Thank you so much for showing up today. Thank you so much for everything you do. Happy New Year to Canada. Happy Canada. Thank you so much. [applause] Very nice.