Since making Aliyah to Israel nearly twenty years ago, I’ve felt a profound pride in calling myself Israeli, living the dream my grandmother once held so dear—returning to her homeland. She longed to see Israel restored to its ancient glory and thriving, and today, I’m blessed to play a role in her vision. But today, amidst the complex swirl of global events and national identities, I am also reminded of the deep pride I have in my American roots, a sentiment rekindled by a renewed sense of hope for America’s future.
Why is this pride in America so significant now? Because America is a nation capable of greatness, a beacon that can illuminate a path forward—not only for itself but for its allies and the world. As America once again finds the resolve to protect its values, this resurgence of strength stands to benefit Israel, a partnership built on a shared belief in democracy, freedom, and the fundamental right to self-determination.
As a kid in New York City, I watched a city constantly reinventing itself, striving to maintain its greatness in a rapidly changing world. I remember playing hockey, gliding on the ice early Sunday mornings at Wollman Rink, a venue that on its own is a testament to Donald Trump’s vision and action, turning a run-down skating rink into a place of beauty and joy - and doing so in less time, using less money than anyone predicted. It was there, on that very ice, that I proposed to my now-wife—a moment that set the course for a life blessed with four incredible children and now, a beautiful grandchild. Trump was more than a businessman to New Yorkers; long before he was a reality TV figure he symbolized something enduring—someone who didn’t just promise change but delivered it, a man who took broken things and made them great again. Today, America is in need of just that: the courage to repair what’s been broken, to return to the core principles that once made it extraordinary.
I grew up in NYC, often skating in Wollman Rink Trump fixed & made great - I even proposed on that ice - a proposal that resulted in 4 amazing children and one gorgeous grandchild.
— Jay Engelmayer (@jengelmayer) November 6, 2024
Long before the Apprentice, Trump was iconic - fixing what was broken.
He has lots to fix today.
Yet, the New York I cherished and the America I loved seem to have been lost somewhere along the way. The pillars of that America—values of resilience, freedom, and a strong Judeo-Christian foundation—have been overshadowed by a political tide that has altered the very essence of society. The societal ideals that once bound communities together have eroded, overshadowed by political agendas that cater to the few at the expense of the many. What began as ideals to uplift society were twisted into mandates that now suppress it. The words “Diversity,” “Equity,” and “Inclusion” have been elevated as the new moral imperatives, yet these lofty ideals, rather than uniting, have ironically fostered division, injustice, and exclusion.
The quest to “celebrate diversity” has fractured society, creating an obsession with what divides rather than what unites. The call for “equity” has led to policies that often subvert justice. And the mission for “inclusion” has somehow excluded the values that once formed the very backbone of American society: Judeo-Christian principles of compassion, integrity, and respect for all. Worse still, these values are being actively undermined. The Judeo-Christian foundation—so central to both America’s and Israel’s histories—is now denigrated, the very concept of patriotism scorned.
The America that once took pride in its exceptionalism, in being a bastion of freedom and prosperity, now finds itself in a crisis of identity. A generation that grew up in a land of opportunity has been taught to despise the very values that built it. They have been led astray, convinced to support movements and ideologies that undermine the core of American greatness. The tragic irony is glaring: while they protest for “justice,” they inadvertently celebrate brutality and cruelty, condemning the one Jewish state on the planet, a nation that stands as a beacon of democracy and morality in the Middle East; one that strives to fulfill the ancient role of being a “light unto the nations,” longing to simply be free, living in peace on their ancestral land.
Now, more than ever, Donald Trump has an enormous task ahead. To revive America, he must combat an establishment entrenched in bureaucracy, where Islamist and Marxist agendas have taken root over decades. It is a battle for the soul of America, to disentangle a web of subterfuge that has woven itself into the country’s fabric, reshaping its institutions and values. Trump must undo decades of damage—damage inflicted not by foreign adversaries but by those who call themselves Americans, yet whose patriotism is a mirage.
Today, I feel hope not only as an American but as an Israeli. The pervasive influence of regimes like Iran and Qatar, pushing a divisive Islamist narrative within America, must come to an end. These nations have capitalized on America’s openness, sowing discord while harboring terrorists and funding extremist propaganda. Iran’s mullahs must be shown that their ambitions to destroy Israel, to destabilize the region—and America itself—will not stand. Qatar, a small nation that has played a cunning game under the guise of neutrality, must be reminded that its importance is as expendable as it is overstated.
The tide is turning. With America on a path to rediscovering its values, we may finally see an end to the tacit acceptance of terror, particularly when it targets Jews, Zionists, and others who refuse to bow to radical ideologies. Israel, as the only Jewish state, deserves to exist in peace and fulfill its role as a moral example, an innovator, and a defender of freedom and justice. And as America reclaims its own strength, it will naturally stand with Israel, its ally and friend in a region fraught with challenges but also brimming with hope.
Today, I am not just proud; I am grateful. I am optimistic that my grandchildren will inherit a world better than the one I grew up in—a world where both Israel and America thrive, where courage replaces fear, and where values endure. It’s a world that seems, at last, within reach.
This is the hope I carry. And today, it feels stronger than ever.
