 Those of you who have the lights please put them on. I know at a birthday celebration you blow out candles I think the more appropriate thing to do is to light the candles bring more light into the world I've been privileged to know Mayor Eric Adams For at least 35 years. I officiated his bar mitzvah some years ago But I always recall a story this mayor told To some of us who were there when he was installed as a state senator of the state of New York he talked about his campaign and Going around collecting funds for the campaign a woman Who didn't have much? gave him a jar of pennies and He looked at it and she said I'll tell you why I'm giving you this job firstly. I don't have More money to give you But secondly, I want you to look at this jar and always remember The people who are not so fortunate in this world And he would keep that jar on his desk and Daily recall what she had said and keep that promise Don't forget the little people so-called the people who made it possible for him to become The mayor of this city, so I introduce to you the hundred and tenth mayor of the city of New York and the next Speaker here tonight at this program He's right. I'll just a long time friend and Advisor and a person That truly love this city and the people in this city and we have been side-by-side on many occasions When we saw the ugly face of hate Exposed itself. It didn't matter if it was fighting on behalf of our brothers and sisters from the Muslim community when Women were attacked for wearing a hijab If it's someone that draws a swastika on the building or desecrate a church statue or Harm someone because they're from the AAPI community. There's just a consistent Understanding that we must lift each other up and he represents what's best about us I say all the time members of the greatest race alive the human race and you are truly a representation of that We know and no matter what people say on other parts of the globes or in other cities We know that New York is the Tel Aviv of America We have the largest Jewish Population outside of Israel right here and all my two visits are there and getting ready to return again We know what the Israeli people stand for and what they represent across the entire globe Built into your culture. It's what you call Mitzvah You believe in giving back you believe and ensuring that you help your fellow man and women That is who you are and so when we stand here and celebrate Your anniversary your independence of your Creation that is also a celebration for those who have touched in many ways and we also Must reflect on a reminder that the dark and ugly parts of what has impacted your culture and your people when I was in Cracow and went to the camps walking through there seeing The tragedies and horrors that is unspeakable The number of young people who don't know their great grandparents and great aunts and great uncles Because they lost them during the Holocaust It must be a reminder that we never can stand by again and watch hate Start out as words and turn into action. That is my commitment as the mayor of this city To say first thank you for being part of this great city and saying that I am looking forward to raising this flag To show the solidarity that New York City has with the people of Israel Let's continue to uplift each other Let's continue to stand for what is right and let's continue to raise the flag in solidarity with Israel Thank you very much. Thank you Rabbi Are we asked concert general Israel needs on mayor Adams to please raise the flag here this evening? Would you all please rise? We're gonna sing the national anthem United States and national anthem of Israel United States