Emotions ran high at JFK Airport on Wednesday evening as Jewish families collapsed at the gate as they proudly watched young IDF reservists set off to wage war against Hamas terrorists.
Passengers flocked to Terminal 4 to show their unwavering support to all those traveling to the war zone, whether to fight, to deliver equipment or simply to return home to their families – each with a unique story to tell.
Local politicians and supporters joined the crowd, dancing, singing and emotionally hugging each other before boarding their EL AL flight, on which many spent days trying to secure a seat as they were the only airline still operating Flying in and out of the country.
Volunteers waved flags, brought food and cheered on the soldiers going to war, united in their determination and support for Israel in its dark days. The parents hugged their sons and daughters, not knowing when they would next get together again.
Noah Rinderberg, a 22-year-old Orthodox young man from New York, stood with a sweet smile as he prepared to return to IDF service, backed by the support of his entire family – including his parents, grandfather and sister .
Emotions ran high at John F. Kennedy Airport on Wednesday evening as Jewish families collapsed at the gate and proudly watched as they waved off young IDF reservists heading off to war against Hamas terrorists
Noah Rinderberg, a 22-year-old Orthodox young man from New York, stood with a sweet smile as he prepared to return to IDF service, backed by the support of his entire family – including his parents, grandfather and sister
In the midst of the crowd, Aviya Malka cried. She was determined to return home and help her family, especially her parents and grandparents. She emphasized how important it is to support people at the airport
He serves as a field artillery foot soldier attached to a special armored unit. No further information about his position can be given.
He returned to Israel before being enlisted as a reservist and expressed his willingness and commitment to be with his comrades.
“I feel like it’s my obligation.” Without me, I couldn’t have it. I will be there with my brothers and sisters. Not just the army, but all Jews everywhere,” he said.
He brings bags filled to the brim with equipment requested by the soldiers as well as religious books to study.
As he walked towards his goal, the crowd cheered him as a supporter shouted: “Come home soon!” to which he replied: “I’m going home.”
His family, who were there to send him away, beamed with pride and revealed that Noah, being modest, would not reveal this information, but that he had actually been offered an honorary scholarship to Yeshiva University and that he had been putting it off, to volunteer and serve in IDF.
Yoni Kidneyberg, Noah’s father, expressed the conflict of emotions as a parent, proud but worried for his son’s safety. As she explained this, the family organized bags full of supplies for the soldiers.
He explained the feeling of being pulled in two different directions. “We love our child, we don’t want anything to happen to him, but we are super proud of him,” he said.
Yaron, a 52-year-old Israeli, stood in a row with his family. His eyes filled with tears as he explained the harrowing situation. He was vacationing in the United States with his young son and mother when the terrorist attacks in Israel began.
Politician Bruce Blakeman, a Nassau County Republican, stood and offered support to his community
Groups of American students and friends spent the day at JFK Airport holding flags, placards and food, showing unwavering support for the young boys and girls going to war
Many gathered and cheered as the soldiers walked to their gate, thanking them for giving up everything to fly across the country and fight terror in the Middle East war zone
Families and supporters danced and sang songs together as they sent away their family members who had volunteered to return to the IDF
Politicians and supporters joined the crowd in an emotional display as they danced, sang and hugged before boarding their EL AL flight, with many spending days trying to secure a seat as they were the only airline , which was still flying in and out of the country
Volunteers waved flags, brought food and cheered on the soldiers going to war, united in their determination and support for Israel in these difficult times
Children painted pictures for IDF soldiers in Israel. “Dear soldier, I pray for you that God will protect you and the land of Israel,” it says
The parents hugged their sons and daughters goodbye, not knowing when they would next get together again
Two IDF soldiers smile at their friends and family before walking to their gate
Supporters came to JFK Airport with Israeli flags to send the soldiers off
His pregnant wife and three-and-a-half-year-old daughter were at home in Tel Aviv, dealing with the danger alone. They spent their days running back and forth between bomb shelters as sirens wailed, signaling rockets falling nearby.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s a nightmare that has come through… We are grieving,” he said, reflecting on the deep shock that has gripped the Israeli people.
With flights canceled and options limited, Yaron’s determination to return home was driven by concern for his family’s safety. He said he did everything he could to find a flight, but the airline didn’t make it easy for him after his flight was canceled.
“I’m going back because I’m worried about my wife staying in the shelters with her children,” he said. “The children don’t analyze what’s happening, but they remember it and will be traumatized forever.”
“I’m 52 years old and I’ve never felt the way I do now.” None of us have ever done this. “The people of Israel are suffering,” he added.
Atara Kresch, a 21-year-old student at the University of Michigan, had a different mission. Originally from Detroit, her family had moved to Israel and she felt a deep calling to help in the crisis.
She had started her own fundraising efforts, raising thousands of dollars and gathering supplies for Israeli soldiers. She single-handedly brought four huge bags full of equipment to distribute in Israel.
Among the passengers waiting to travel to Israel was 18-year-old Ayelet, who showed her unwavering determination to get home
Traveling alone, she spoke of the importance of returning home and pointed to a sticker on her suitcase that read “I belong” in Hebrew, reflecting her strong connection to the only country she has ever known , expressed
Bags of supplies and donations collected by volunteers and soldiers requested by the IDF in Israel
Soldiers packed their bags with specific supplies that individuals had requested
Tammy Sharon-Toledano brings pizza donated by her community to soldiers, volunteers and police officers at the airport
Supporters dropped everything to feed the people at JFK
A volunteer, Tammy, thanks the police for their service and offers them pizza
An Israeli woman tearfully thinks about her family in Israel
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman speaks with Aviya Malka before she boards a plane to Israel at JFK Airport in New York City on October 11, 2023
“I organize equipment donations and collect money that I deliver personally,” she said. “I try to show donors exactly where their donations are going and make sure they go to the right recipient.”
Kresch said some of the equipment specifically requested by soldiers included G-Shock watches, Taranaki sunglasses and anti-glare rain gear.
“A lot of things get caught up in airport security,” she said, explaining the importance of bringing only the requested items, right down to the color. For example, some donated vests were confiscated at the airport because they were the wrong color and too similar to those worn by Hamas members.
Atara explained: “I want to be there for my family; They really need us. “It’s amazing to see that everyone wants to help.”
“It feels good to give, but you have to be organized about it,” she added.
Not far from Atara, politician Bruce Blakeman, a Nassau County Republican, stood and offered support to his community.
Handing out flags, he emphasized his admiration for the courage of Nassau County residents serving in the IDF and acknowledged the bittersweet feeling of sending friends and community members to the front lines.
“We have residents from Nassau County serving in the IDF,” he said. “We admire their courage.” We are here to support you. “We are worried, but we feel like they have a mission and we support that mission 100 percent.”
“Families are sending their sons, friends of mine, people from the community.” “It’s bittersweet,” he added.
Among the passengers waiting to travel to Israel was 18-year-old Ayelet, who showed her unwavering determination to get home.
Traveling alone, she spoke of the importance of returning home and pointed to a sticker on her suitcase that read “I belong” in Hebrew, reflecting her strong connection to the only country she has ever known , expressed.
Ayelet had been on a two-week religious trip but changed her flight to return early. She explained that her rabbi emphasized that despite the danger and terror, Israel is still the safest country in the world because it is the only Jewish homeland that exists.
“We have to go back,” she said. “We have no other home.” My family is there. I want to go.’
She was standing next to two other young women on the internet, talking and laughing with each other. When asked if they had traveled together, she replied, “Who them?” No, we just met two minutes ago.” The three then laughed and said, “They’re Israelis.”
Eliya, another combat infantry soldier, had to cut his leave short because he was recalled to Israel after the outbreak of war.
He struggled to secure a flight and finally found one that got him home to the support and cheers of the people at the airport.
It took him three days to secure a flight after traveling from Boston to New York hoping to have a better chance of getting a ticket.
His airfare was donated by Americans across the country who donated money to soldiers.
Rachel Sterm and her friends came to the airport to show their support for the soldiers (chayalim) returning to Israel. They waved Israeli flags, cheered and celebrated their efforts.
Rachel shared, “We are friends from Great Neck, but there are people here from Five Towns, New Jersey, and high school students. “Now everyone is back but trying to figure out how they can help.”
“The rabbi announced that the soldiers would return. So we are here. “Everyone does what they can.”
“Yesterday it was about collecting.” “Nowadays people are trying to find other ways,” she added. “There’s so much you can do remotely.”
Tammy Sharon-Toledano, another community member, handed out pizza boxes donated by her community to soldiers, volunteers and police officers at the airport – and thanked them for their service.
In the midst of the crowd, Aviya Malka cried. She was determined to return home and help her family, especially her parents and grandparents. She emphasized how important it is to support people at the airport.
“I want to go home yesterday.” She said. “Even if you kill some of us, you won’t kill our spirits.”
Aviya works for a radio station in Israel, where she said she lost one of her colleagues who worked in law and order.
“This support, I can’t tell you how big it is,” referring to the crowd of American Jews who showed up to see her off.
“All the people you see here means everything,” she added.
Upon arrival, Dr. Nissan Levy and David Usher, childhood friends from New York’s Five Towns, recounted their harrowing journey from Israel to New York and described the panic and fear they felt at the airport during the rocket attacks.
The two were on vacation in Israel during the Jewish holiday during the attacks. They were climbing the ramp to board their plane when a missile hit so close that their plane began to shake violently.
They stressed the importance of not letting the terrorists win and continuing to live a happy life.
Moria Rosenthall arrived in New York from Jerusalem with her husband and delivered a passionate message about the ongoing crisis in Israel, describing the terrible actions of Hamas and emphasizing the need for Jews to unite and strengthen in the face of this humanitarian crisis .
She came to New York for her brother’s wedding. She said she won’t let Hamas stop her from celebrating life.
“Hamas wins if we don’t live our lives and celebrate the good.” “If we are psychologically defeated, that is their victory,” she said.
She spoke about the camaraderie of Israelis that she had witnessed since the war began. She said everyone did their part to help.
Her brother spent the entire night volunteering to dig 150 graves in Har Herzl (where soldiers are buried) in preparation for the incoming bodies.
“It’s not about Palestinians or Israel,” she said. “It’s just a humanitarian crisis.”
“The most important thing is that Jews unite and strengthen.” “Jews have always survived the worst possible scenario and they have always survived,” she added.