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JFK Terminal 4 becomes hub for Jewish Americans Open in Our App Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Open in Spectrum News App Continue in Browser 42° Toggle navigation All Boroughs December 4, 2023 8:54PM PT 42° New York City, NY EDIT Log In Watch Live Latest News Headlines Coronavirus Coverage Public Safety Education Health In The Papers Mornings On 1 News All Day In Focus with Cheryl Wills NY1 Live at Ten Exploring Your Health Extra Shot Weekends On NY1 Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 In the Neighborhood: Upper East Side and Upper West Side Breast Cancer Awareness Month The Big Appetite Weather NYC Weather 7 Day Forecast Interactive Radar Watches and Warnings Weather Blog Transit Transit News Interactive Traffic Map Politics New York Politics Inside City Hall NY1 Political Buzz Washington DC Bureau NY State of Politics Blog New York State Government Arts+Culture Arts Style On Stage Mornings On 1 Authors Week Tasting New York City SN Challenge 50 Years of Hip-Hop Community+Neighborhoods Manhattan Brooklyn The Bronx Queens Staten Island Human Interest Street Level Boro by Boro Community Calendar New Yorker of the Week Scholar Athlete Podcasts All Podcasts Crosstown with Pat Kiernan Off Topic/On Politics You Decide with Errol Louis Our Journalists Latest News Headlines Coronavirus Coverage Public Safety Education Health In The Papers Mornings On 1 News All Day In Focus with Cheryl Wills NY1 Live at Ten Exploring Your Health Extra Shot Weekends On NY1 Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 In the Neighborhood: Upper East Side and Upper West Side Breast Cancer Awareness Month The Big Appetite Weather NYC Weather 7 Day Forecast Interactive Radar Watches and Warnings Weather Blog Transit Transit News Interactive Traffic Map Politics New York Politics Inside City Hall NY1 Political Buzz Washington DC Bureau NY State of Politics Blog New York State Government Arts+Culture Arts Style On Stage Mornings On 1 Authors Week Tasting New York City SN Challenge 50 Years of Hip-Hop Community+Neighborhoods Manhattan Brooklyn The Bronx Queens Staten Island Human Interest Street Level Boro by Boro Community Calendar New Yorker of the Week Scholar Athlete Podcasts All Podcasts Crosstown with Pat Kiernan Off Topic/On Politics You Decide with Errol Louis Our Journalists × Set Weather Location Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. Please enter a valid zipcode. Save GET OUR APPOur Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. WEATHER ALERTView full list of weather alerts CLOSINGS ALERTView full list of closures 5 Videos Left Until Sign-In RequiredSIGN INplay_arrow0:00volume_upfullscreenmore_vertclosed_caption_disabledCaptionsOffsettingsResolutionAutopicture_in_picture_altPicture-in-PictureOffslow_motion_videoPlayback speed1xairplayAirPlayarrow_backCaptionsOffdonearrow_backResolutionAutodonearrow_backPlayback speed0.5x0.75x1xdone1.25x1.5x1.75x2x Inside the terminal is one of the only airlines flying into Israel. As IDF soldiers are being called to war, Americans are finding their way home. (NY1 Photo) Enjoy access to five videos from Spectrum News NY1. Log in for unlimited access. Stay connected to your community. Log in for unlimited access to Spectrum News NY1 video content. SIGN IN ASK LATER ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR JFK Terminal 4 becomes hub for Jewish Americans caught in Israel-Hamas war By Louis Finley Queens PUBLISHED 8:50 PM ET Oct. 13, 2023 PUBLISHED 8:50 PM EDT Oct. 13, 2023 SHARE Officials have been scrambling to get Americans stranded in Israel back to the United States. The Biden administration said it would begin chartering flights to get Americans out of the war-ravaged country starting on Friday. What You Need To Know Officials have been scrambling to get Americans stranded in Israel back to the United States The Biden administration said it would begin chartering flights on Friday to get Americans out of the war-ravaged country The flights have no upfront costs, but passengers are required to sign a promissory note that says they’ll repay the government Some New Yorkers have already begun to return home. John F. Kennedy Airport Terminal 4 has become a hub for Jewish Americans, not only those returning from Israel, but others heading off to war as part of the Israel Defense Forces. Inside the terminal is one of the only airlines flying into Israel. As IDF soldiers are being called to war, Americans are finding their way home. “The last week, Sabbath, we woke up to sirens,” said Yitzchok, who was returning from Israel with his family. Yitzchok would only tell NY1 his first name out of concerns for his safety. He and his family were stuck in Israel despite multiple attempts trying to leave the country. “We know we’re fine. We all believe that God has a plan for us, that only the best is going to happen for us. However, being stuck there isn’t something anyone wants,” Yitzchok said. As Yitzchok’s family tried to get out as soon as they could, he said the U.S. government should have done more. However, he does thank Republican Rep. Mike Lawler’s office for its attempts to help. Yitzchok said he spent at least $10,000 getting him and his family home. “For people who think the Jewish community is going to be quiet here, get over yourselves,” said Ian, who picked up family at the terminal. Ian, who also would only give NY1 his first name because of safety concerns, picked up family members at JFK, arriving from Frankfurt, Germany. He said nearly a dozen family members are returning to America while twice the amount are staying behind to fight with the Israel Defense Forces. “I ask my average New Yorker and New Jersyan, if something the equivalent of nine 9/11s occurred in one day, once again in New York and New Jersey, how should the United States respond?” Ian asked. Religious leaders said the International Synagogue at JFK has been a hub for IDF members on their way to the war zone. “The only airline flying them is El Al, so the flights are full of many soldiers. And since we are located on their path, so to say, we’ve become the hub,” said Ari Korenbilt, rabbi at the International Synagogue at JFK. Korenbilt said the images and information coming from Israel has tested his and his followers’ faith. He said he sends off the soldiers to war with this prayer: “God gives people strength and blesses people with peace,” Korenbilt said. The U.S. government began offering charter flights on Friday for American citizens to get out of Israel to Europe. The flights have no upfront costs, but passengers are required to sign a promissory note that says they’ll repay the government. 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