Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens) expressed regret at the audience Iranian dictator Mahmud Ahmedinejad had received at the United Nations over the past few years and made reference to Ahmedinejad’s denials of the Holocaust and that “The more someone speaks the language of Holocaust denial, the more credibility it will have.” Weprin exhorted the audience to continue to speak out. He ended with the words, “Am Yisrael Chai” (The Nation of Israel Lives).

At the conclusion, Rabbi Yaakov Lerner of the Young Israel of Great Neck recited Psalms and Rabbi Dale Polakoff of the Great Neck Synagogue recited the payer for the State of Israel.

Cantor Eric Stern of the Manhattan Jewish Experience led the introductory American Anthem and the concluding Hatikvah.