On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the President signed into law:
S. 1071, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026,” which authorizes fiscal year 2026 appropriations principally for Department of War programs and military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, Intelligence programs, and Department of State programs; supports a military basic pay increase and other authorities relating to the United States Armed Forces; and provides authorities related to and makes other modifications to national security, foreign affairs, homeland, commerce, judiciary, and other related programs.
I extend my warmest greetings to the Jewish community in the United States and all around the world as they begin their celebration of Hanukkah—the Festival of Lights and a joyous season of reflection and hope.
More than 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people rose up against the forces of tyranny and restored their freedom to worship and live according to their faith, fighting for the inalienable rights endowed by our Creator. Following their tremendous victory, they sought to rededicate their Holy Temple. As tradition tells us, although they only had enough oil to light the lamp in the Temple for one night, in a glorious sign of the Almighty’s divine providence, it remained aflame for 8 days. In remembrance of this great miracle, over the next 8 days, families and loved ones will gather to light the menorah, which serves as an enduring symbol of light’s victory over darkness and the eternal triumph of good over evil. Hanukkah is a thanksgiving for these miracles.
To this day, the menorah stands as an enduring symbol of liberty, of the idea that each citizen, in the words that George Washington wrote to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, “shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.”
This holiday season, my Administration continues to stand firmly with the Jewish people and defend the right of every believer to worship freely and without fear of persecution. The flames of Hanukkah stand as a reminder of the strength and resilience of the Jewish people and of the spirit that continues to guide our Nation toward a brighter future.
Just as the grace of the Almighty brought the Maccabees to victory, it has sustained the miracle of America—a shining light to the entire world—for nearly 250 years. As we continue to usher in the Golden Age, may the blessings of this season bring renewed peace, joy, and warmth to all those who celebrate. Happy Hanukkah!
In a poignant display of interfaith solidarity amid rising global antisemitism, New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani made a private visit to the Ohel, the sacred gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, in Queens’ Old Montefiore Cemetery. The trip, which occurred on the evening of December 15, came just one day after a devastating terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where 16 people—many affiliated with Chabad-Lubavitch—lost their lives to what Australian authorities described as Islamist extremism. Chabad officials confirmed the visit, noting it as a moment of reflection and prayer for the victims, including two prominent Chabad rabbis with deep ties to New York’s Jewish community.
The Ohel, a serene marble structure housing the remains of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson—the revered seventh leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement—and his predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, has long served as a beacon of spiritual solace. Attracting over a million visitors annually from diverse backgrounds, it has evolved into a pilgrimage site for politicians seeking guidance during turbulent times. Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist and Ugandan-born Muslim who won a stunning upset victory in November’s mayoral race, donned a black velvet kippah as he entered the site. Accompanied by Crown Heights activist Yaacov Behrman, a Chabad liaison, he offered a private prayer at the gravesite before departing quietly. This marked Mamdani’s first known visit to the Ohel, a gesture that Chabad spokespeople described as “reassuring” for New York’s Jewish residents grappling with heightened fears.jta.org
The Sydney Horror: A Hanukkah Nightmar
The attack unfolded on December 14, the first night of Hanukkah, at a joyous public menorah lighting organized by Chabad emissaries on Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. Hundreds had gathered to celebrate the Festival of Lights when two gunmen—later identified as a father-son duo with suspected Islamist ties—opened fire with assault rifles, killing 16 and wounding dozens more. Among the dead were Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 40, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi Beach who had trained at Brooklyn’s Lubavitch yeshiva, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, both leaving behind young families. Schlanger, a vocal advocate against Australian antisemitism, was remembered for his upbeat spirit; just a year prior, he had shared a video of himself dancing with a car-top menorah as a defiant stand against hate.jfeed.com
Chabad, known for its outreach to Jews in remote areas, has faced increasing threats at public events. Yet, in defiance, the movement urged its chapters to proceed with Hanukkah celebrations, bolstering security and attendance in places like New York, where menorah lightings drew record crowds. Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski of Chabad of the Upper East Side echoed this resolve at a Manhattan lighting: “We light brighter in the face of darkness.”jta.orgforward.com
Mamdani’s Response: Condemnation and Controversy
Hours after the Sydney shooting, Mamdani issued a statement from his transition team: “The attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney today was a vile act of antisemitic terror. I mourn those who were murdered and will be keeping their families, the Jewish community, and the Chabad movement in my prayers.” He specifically honored Rabbi Schlanger’s “deep ties to Crown Heights,” the Brooklyn hub of Chabad, and warned that the violence mirrored fears haunting Jewish New Yorkers: “What happened at Bondi is what many Jewish people fear will happen in their communities too.” Mamdani pledged to “confront hatred with the urgency and action it demands,” vowing daily protection for Jews in subways, streets, and synagogues.lavocedinewyork.comjta.org
Yet, the mayor-elect’s words drew immediate backlash. Critics seized on his description of the attackers as “men with long guns,” accusing him of sidestepping the Islamist motivations cited by officials. This echoed ongoing scrutiny of Mamdani’s record, including his reluctance to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada”—a phrase chanted at pro-Palestinian protests and interpreted by many Jews as a call for violence against them. During his campaign, Mamdani defended the term as “aspiration for equality,” alienating pro-Israel voters and prompting Israeli President Isaac Herzog to publicly decry his “contempt for the Jewish and democratic State of Israel.” In Crown Heights, where Chabad is headquartered, turnout favored Mamdani’s rival, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, by wide margins.theyeshivaworld.com
Social media amplified the divide. Conservative voices like Laura Loomer tweeted, “You got your wish of ‘globalize the intifada,’” directly at Mamdani. Progressive Jewish allies, however, praised his outreach, with one X user noting, “Zohran is one of the biggest friends and supporters of the Jewish community, his words are constantly being taken out of context.” Mamdani’s visit to the Ohel—shared widely by Chabad chapters on Instagram—has been hailed by some as a bridge-building step, though skeptics question its sincerity given his ties to anti-Israel groups like Satmar Hasidim.newsweek.com
A Tradition of Political Pilgrimage
Eyewitness accounts described chaos as families fled the beachfront, with one attendee—later hailed a hero—rushing toward the gunfire to disarm a shooter, sustaining two wounds in the process. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the massacre as a “cowardly act of terror,” prompting swift calls for stricter gun laws in a nation unaccustomed to such violence. The incident, the deadliest antisemitic attack since the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, sent shockwaves through Jewish communities worldwide, amplifying concerns over a 400% surge in antisemitic incidents globally since October 2023.lavocedinewyork.com
Mamdani is far from the first leader to seek the Rebbe’s wisdom at the Ohel. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, a frequent visitor (at least seven times), has called it a refuge during “the most difficult days” of his tenure. Former President Donald Trump stopped by in October 2024, and figures like Hillary Clinton and Michael Bloomberg have made the trek, underscoring its role as a nonpartisan spiritual nexus. For Mamdani, whose campaign courted progressive and Muslim voters while navigating NYC’s diverse Jewish electorate, the visit signals an effort to mend fences ahead of his January inauguration.
As Hanukkah’s flames flicker against a backdrop of grief, Jewish leaders in New York—from UJA-Federation events at Gracie Mansion to street-corner lightings—emphasize resilience. “We will not hide our light,” declared one rabbi at a Midtown vigil honoring Sydney’s fallen. Mamdani’s gesture at the Ohel, whatever its motivations, adds a layer to this story of defiance: a Muslim leader at a Jewish holy site, praying for shared safety in a city that prides itself on pluralism.
Whether this marks a turning point in Mamdani’s relationship with New York’s Jews remains to be seen. For now, in the quiet of Queens’ cemetery, it stands as a reminder that even in division, moments of quiet reverence can illuminate the path forward.
Mayor Eric Adams Time Capsule Ceremony: “Working-Class Mayor,” 4-Year Record, and a City Built on “Yes”
The video opens with a spoken-word/rap-style introduction framing Eric Adams as a “working-class New Yorker” who overcame dyslexia, rejection, and arrest to become elected. The core message is personal resilience turned into public mission: stay focused, avoid distractions, and keep grinding—because investing in education prevents cycles of incarceration and harm.
The speech then runs through a highlight reel of claimed administration results over the last four years: putting $30 billion back into New Yorkers’ pockets, reaching record highs in jobs and small businesses, reducing unemployment (including in Black and Brown communities), eliminating city income taxes for some working-class families, wiping out medical debt for low-income residents, expanding Pre-K/3K and after-school access, moving more people from homelessness into permanent housing, and improving public safety by removing illegal guns, reducing shootings, lowering transit crime, and cracking down on illegal scooters/ghost cars and illegal cannabis shops. It also emphasizes major housing initiatives, especially “City of Yes,” with large-scale rezonings and long-term housing creation/preservation targets.
The second half centers on a City Hall “time capsule” event where senior officials place symbolic objects into the capsule to represent policy priorities—operations, public safety technology (including drones), migrant/asylum response, affordability, health and human services, and communications. Adams closes by arguing that the record should be judged in totality, that “the numbers don’t lie,” and that the administration leaves a stronger foundation for the next chapter of New York City.
Sources: NYC.gov official video , Midtown Tribune News
NY1 Interview: Schools Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos on Staying Under Mayor-Elect Mamdani, Universal Child Care, and Closing NYC’s “Opportunity Gap”
In this NY1 segment, the host frames the looming transition at City Hall: Mayor-elect Alex Zoron Mamdani is expected to announce early appointments while also weighing whether to retain senior officials from the Adams administration. The focus then turns to NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos, who signals she wants to remain in the role and says she has already met with the mayor-elect for what she describes as a wide-ranging conversation on education priorities.
Avilés-Ramos highlights a mix of safety, academic performance, and student support initiatives. She points to efforts aimed at boosting math and reading proficiency and emphasizes an initiative launched earlier in the year—“Every Child and Family is Known”—designed to better support students in temporary housing by strengthening connections to families and city resources. On universal child care, she draws a clear line between “daycare” and early childhood education and argues that community-based providers and caregivers should be supported and treated as educators who help prepare children for academic success from the earliest years.
On outcomes, she reframes the traditional “achievement gap” discussion as an “opportunity gap,” arguing that improved resources and consistent instructional supports drive score gains—citing noted growth among Black and Latino students even as proficiency rates remain under 50%. She credits standardized curriculum work under “NYC Reads” and “NYC Solves,” including a K-5 push to concentrate schools into one of three curricula to enable targeted, job-embedded coaching. The conversation also touches on compliance with the state class-size law, a proposal for paid apprenticeship-style pathways for new teachers, the impact of federal immigration enforcement on students and families (including “Project Open Arms”), and the rollout of cell-phone restrictions with flexible, school-by-school approaches. Avilés-Ramos closes by underscoring that she is “first and foremost a parent” in the system and wants to be an advocate for families.
NYC City Hall Hanukkah Event: Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Deputy Mayor Fabian Levy, and Mayor Eric Adams Address Security and Rising Antisemitism
At a City Hall Hanukkah gathering, an emcee opens by identifying as a “loud and proud Jew” and recognizes multiple City Hall staff members before introducing NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Tisch thanks Mayor Eric Adams for his support of New York’s Jewish community and addresses the weekend terror attack in Australia, saying there is “no known nexus” to New York City and no specific credible threats tied to local Hanukkah events, but that the NYPD has increased security at menorah lightings and houses of worship across all five boroughs.
The program blends speeches and performances: a vocalist leads a crowd singalong of “Hallelujah” (with modified lyrics), and Council Member Gale Brewer offers brief remarks wishing a happy Hanukkah, calling the Sydney attack a “wakeup call,” thanking allies, and thanking the NYPD and Commissioner Tisch for keeping people safe. The event continues with music and additional acknowledgments of senior administration officials on stage.
Later, speakers pivot back to policy and public messaging. One official leads a prayer and references City Hall’s efforts to combat antisemitism, including executive actions described as adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism and creating rules related to protests and city policy. Deputy Mayor Fabian Levy then delivers a longer address framing Hanukkah as a story of resilience and praising Mayor Adams for consistently standing with the Jewish community; Adams follows with a speech urging New Yorkers not to hide their Jewish identity out of fear and calling on allies to speak up. The program culminates in lighting a “Hanukkiah of hope,” described as made from fragments of missiles and tied with hostage-family ribbons, followed by blessings led by clergy and closing thanks to event sponsors.
NYC Weekly City Hall Recap: Citywide Translation Tech, $1B Coney Island Shoreline Plan, and 100 Gold Street Housing Conversion
This short City Hall–style recap frames the week as part of New York City’s “next chapter,” highlighting recent actions the administration says are aimed at improving day-to-day life for working-class New Yorkers. The narration positions the updates as proof the administration is “getting stuff done,” emphasizing operational changes and big capital commitments.
One major focus is language access: the city says it is rolling out language applications on all city-owned smart mobile devices and directing agencies to leverage translation technology. The stated goal is to improve communication with residents whose first language is one of the many languages spoken across the five boroughs.
The video also spotlights two large development and resiliency initiatives. First, it cites a $1 billion investment to renovate the Coney Island shoreline—reimagining the boardwalk, building flood-resilient infrastructure, upgrading public spaces, and adding 1,500 new homes. Second, it describes next steps in a housing initiative to convert the city-owned building at 100 Gold Street into a mixed-income residential project with 3,700 housing units (with at least 25% “permanently affordable”), plus 40,000 square feet of public space and new facilities for public use.
New York State is putting more than $300 million into hospital upgrades aimed at making care safer and more connected, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The funding will support 22 projects statewide to improve health information technology, expand electronic medical records, strengthen cybersecurity to protect patient data, and grow telehealth services. State officials say the goal is to help hospitals—especially financially strained providers—modernize critical systems, reduce cyber risk, and make it easier for New Yorkers to access care remotely. The awards are part of New York’s broader push to improve hospital infrastructure and resilience across the state.
Governor Hochul Announces More Than $300 Million to Advance Health Information Technology and Cybersecurity in Hospitals Across New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $300 million in new state funding to support health care transformation projects across New York. The awards, made through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV and V, will support 22 projects aimed at improving health information technology by expanding patient electronic medical records, strengthening cybersecurity and patient information security, and expanding telehealth services.
“By modernizing our hospitals’ IT infrastructure and protecting patients’ information, we’re strengthening the foundation of health care in New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments will help ensure that hospitals have the tools they need to safeguard patient data, expand telehealth services and deliver a healthier future for all New Yorkers.”
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “With these investments, we are focused on developing safe, reliable and connected patient-centered care. By expanding data capabilities and improving cybersecurity defenses, we’re enhancing clinical decision making across the state’s health care network.”
This funding prioritizes projects that:
Support financially distressed providers;
Modernize critical health information technology infrastructure;
Strengthen cybersecurity and patient information security; and
Expand telehealth services.
Awardees include hospitals in every region of the State.
This investment builds on Governor Hochul’s continued efforts to strengthen New York’s health care delivery system. The Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program has awarded more than $1.75 billion to providers working to improve access, equity, and quality of care across New York. These awards are part of a broader, long-term commitment that has directed more than $4.7 billion in health care capital funding statewide since 2016.
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State enacted nation-leading cybersecurity regulations for hospitals, establishing a robust blueprint to protect critical systems and enhance the resilience of the state’s health care network against cyber threats.
In Coney Island, Mayor Eric Adams announced a historic $1 billion investment to revitalize the iconic waterfront community, marking a major commitment in the final weeks of his administration. Reflecting on his early career as a transit police officer in the area, Adams highlighted Coney Island’s legacy as “America’s playground” while acknowledging past underinvestment. The plan includes constructing 1,500 new mixed-income homes (with 25% affordable), fully reconstructing the century-old Riegelmann Boardwalk, upgrading infrastructure such as streets and sewers, and renovating the Abe Stark Sports Center with a $42 million project to modernize its ice rink and facilities. Adams emphasized stabilizing life for residents, preventing displacement, and transforming the area into a year-round livable community rather than just a seasonal attraction.
Speakers, including Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue and EDC President Andrew Kimball, underscored the investment’s focus on climate resiliency amid rising sea levels and extreme weather. Detailed technical surveys have informed plans to rebuild the boardwalk from the ground up with storm-protective measures inspired by Superstorm Sandy, incorporating sustainable materials and elevated design for future flood protection. The project will proceed with extensive community engagement, with a request for proposals for design and construction expected in early 2026, followed by phased work to minimize disruption to beachgoers and businesses. Additional efforts include recent selections for nearby mixed-income housing and retail developments to support economic growth.
Community leaders and local officials praised the announcement as transformative, crediting Adams’ long-standing advocacy for Coney Island. Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny and others expressed gratitude, noting the mayor’s personal connection to the neighborhood and his administration’s record on affordable housing. During the Q&A, officials clarified that while no final decisions have been made on materials or exact timelines, the project will continue through the transition to the incoming administration, with potential adjustments at the new mayor’s discretion. The event concluded on a note of optimism for a more resilient, vibrant, and equitable Coney Island for generations to come.
