Rockland Daily Brings Leaders Together at First-Ever Chanukah Gathering

By Rockland Daily Staff

Still riding the warmth and joy of Chanukah, Rockland Daily - Monsey’s go-to local news platform - hosted its first-ever Chanukah gathering, welcoming dozens of local officials, elected leaders, law enforcement, emergency responders, askanim, and community leaders.

The event gave “the newsmakers” a rare opportunity to meet, in one room, the team behind Rockland Daily, the people who work around the clock to inform the community. Conversations centered on strengthening collaboration, the importance of accuracy, and ensuring vital messages reach the public clearly and efficiently.

Attendees described the evening as truly one-of-a-kind. The energy, excitement, and shared passion in the room, on all sides, was hard to put into words, and widely appreciated by everyone present. In the world of news, coordination and cooperation are essential. This event marked another meaningful step in that direction, an effort many said is deeply important and long overdue.

Speaker after speaker expressed appreciation for Rockland Daily’s consistent service to the community and to local agencies, highlighting its accuracy, speed, and professionalism, and emphasizing that the platform operates fair and balanced.

The program was masterfully led by Pinchas Leifer, who served as MC and guided the evening with professionalism and poise, keeping the program flowing smoothly from start to finish.

Also discussed was the ongoing rise in antisemitism, particularly in local towns, and the importance of strong relationships between public officials and the Jewish community. Participants noted that ongoing cooperation, supported by Rockland Daily as a bridge between agencies and residents, helps strengthen safety, security, and a sense of calm across neighborhoods.

Representatives in attendance included leadership and personnel from:

• Ramapo Police
• Spring Valley Police
• Rockland Hatzoloh
• Village of New Square
• Tallman Fire Department
• Kol Yisroel Organization

Notable Attendees Included:

• NY State Senator Bill Weber
• NY State Assemblyman Aaron Wieder
• Rafi Silberberg, representative of Congressman Mike Lawler
• Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh and team
• Mona Montel, Chief of Staff, Town of Ramapo
• Town of Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht
• Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann
• Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard T. Phillips
• Representatives from the Office of Rockland County Executive Ed Day
• Superintendent of the Town of Ramapo Highway Dept. Fred Brinn
• Ramapo Police Chief Daniel Hyman
• Spring Valley Police Chief Richard Oleszczuk
• Spring Valley Police Department Lieutenant Chignard Noelizaire
• Spring Valley Police Department Lieutenant Jack Bosworth
• Mayor of Montebello Lance N. Millman
• Deputy Mayor of Spring Valley Yisroel Eisenbach
• Montebello Deputy Mayor Stacy Caridi
• Deputy Mayor of Pomona Mendy Lasker
• Representatives of Deputy Mayor of Chestnut Ridge Chaim Rose
• Village of New Square Public Safety Director Moshe Kaff
• Chief ADA Patrick Frawley
• Patrick Withers, Director of Intergovernmental Relations and Public Safety 
• Chestnut Ridge Trustee Shmuli Fromovitz
• Spring Valley Trustee Shmuel Smith
• Spring Valley Trustee Yosef Hersh Gross
• Spring Valley Trustee Yaakov Yosef Kaufman
• Village of Wesley Hills Trustee Yisroel Cherns
• County Legislator Itamar Yeger
• County Legislator Jesse Malowitz
• County Legislator Joel Friedman
• County Legislator Moshe Hopstein
• Director of County Legislative Fiscal Affairs Moshe Gruber
• Tzvi Waldman from Ramapo GOP
• Abe Rosenberg from Rockland Hatzoloh
• Josh Hans from Rockland Hatzoloh
• Officer Julianna Franklin director of Ramapo PBA
• Tallman Fire Commissioner David Breuer
• Mordy Becker from Senator Bill Weber's Office
• Office of County Executive Ed Day Assistant Ramon Soto

Prominent Monsey askanim included:

• Meyer Tauber
• Moshe Engel
• Yehuda Leib Zorger
• Yisroel Kahana
• Simcha Bernath
• Hershy Rosenzweig
• and others.

The evening closed with a shared sense of unity and purpose, reminding all in attendance that when communication, trust, and collaboration come together, the entire community benefits. Rockland Daily is proud to stand at the center of that connection, bringing light, clarity, and reliability to Rockland County every day.

photos: Zevi Klein