Hiltzik Strategies

On October 9th, 2023, I was fortunate to be introduced to the Neutra family by a mutual friend to see if I could be helpful to them as they faced the unknown of having their oldest son Omer kidnapped by Hamas. It has been an extraordinary honor for my Hiltzik Strategies team and I to provide Omer's parents Orna and Ronen and his brother Daniel with pro bono strategic communications and other personal and political counsel and support during this unspeakable ordeal. Remarkably, they consistently give others strength despite the toll this has taken on them. Omer Neutra,* born in October 2001 in New York City, is a U.S. citizen and Long Island resident who has been held hostage in Gaza by Hamas for over ten months. At 22, he is a vibrant individual who graduated from Solomon Schechter High School, was accepted into Binghamton University, but chose to spend a gap year in Israel and joined the IDF. Known for his leadership, sports achievements, and musical interests, Omer is a heroic IDF first responder who risked his life on October 7th to protect residential villages at the Gaza border. While previously private and apolitical, the Neutras have worked tirelessly over the past ten months traveling to the United States, Israel, and elsewhere in the world doing everything in their power to bring Omer home. We have thankfully received significant support from elected officials and others in New York, Washington D.C. and beyond, but we would be grateful for everyone's help in amplifying awareness about Omer – especially during this challenging week. On Monday, the Neutras and three other families approved the release of a Hamas video showing Omer and tank mates being captured (and others who were killed by the terrorists) https://lnkd.in/gevNFBw6 As Orna recently said, “We pray as though everything depends on God, but we act as though the outcome depends on our actions.” Let’s lead by her example, and bring Omer and the rest of the hostages home, now. Please join me as we continue this initiative of making sure these hostage families know that _they are not alone, and we have not forgotten about their loved ones._ It's very simple. All you need to do is: 1. Go to the @bringomerhome account on IG: https://lnkd.in/g5bCzdvD 2. Follow the account if you aren't already following 3. Choose one of the posts on their page to share in a story or on your page with the hashtag #bringomerhome and #bringthemhomenow The idea is to drive traffic and awareness to Omer's page and story. If we all do it together, there will be a greater impact. We hope that this initiative (launched by friends) will be short lived because they will all be home soon, but want to use the power of our networks to provide moral support to the hostage families.

Congrats to Jessica Ciccone, Vice President, Digital and Social Media of the New York Jets, being named as one of 2024 Sports Business Journal's Game Changers! Jessica is one of fifty women who will be recognized as a Game Changer in sports business on September 25th, here in New York City. Jessica and the rest of the 14th annual class of Game Changers will be profiled in Sports Business Journal in mid-September. ? J-E-S-S! Jess! Jess! Jess! ? #gamechangers #SBJ #newyorkjets https://lnkd.in/gQAG__YB

Great to see Sean Parker continuing his extraordinary commitment to cancer research - the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) just announced a new $125 million investment to help healthcare providers’ work to combat cancer. Since its inception, the Institute has helped back 440 research projects and clinical trials, and has invested in 17 biotech startups that develop immunotherapies.? ? When Sean takes on a challenge, he is all in, and hopefully many individuals and families will benefit from his innovative approach to collaborative research leveraging talented professionals around the world. ? #PICI #immunology #cancerresearch https://lnkd.in/eq6gKcU6?

It’s hard to fathom that we have passed 300 days since October 7th, when Long Island native Omer Neutra and the 239 others in Israel were taken hostage in Gaza. We have been privileged to know and have the chance to support Omer’s parents and brother and other Jewish and Muslim families from America and Israel to share their loved ones’ stories and continue to remind the world of their plight and the need to #bringthemhomenow. As we face even more uncertainty in the MIddle East, we hope and pray for a quick resolution of hostilities that ends Hamas’ reign of terror so that everyone in Israel and Gaza can move towards a peaceful resolution and a better life for everyone. ? https://lnkd.in/erNaVQde

A very Happy Birthday to our friend Stephanie March, living life to the fullest! In advance of her 50th birthday, Stephanie sat down with PEOPLE Magazine | PEOPLE.com to discuss her plans for the big day, providing advice for others turning 50, divulging the details around her new philanthropic work, and highlighting her recently appointed board membership at The Whitney Museum. Take a look:? https://lnkd.in/gFvJnWcy #StephanieMarch #50 #HappyBirthday

We Heart NYC.?????????????????? HStrat?President/CEO Matthew Hiltzik is a proud New Yorker and has served on the board of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the entity behind a multitude of projects that aim to create “a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers.” This week our team attended the groundbreaking ceremony for NYCEDC’s latest project, New York City’s first offshore wind port at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. In partnership with Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, Equinor, NYSERDA, SSBMT, and the Sunset Park community, this endeavor will create thousands of jobs and power 500,000 homes, all while working to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Our colleague Jocelyn Dawson is fascinated by these type of urban revitalization projects and provided these pictures.

This year's Israeli Independence Day felt especially meaningful. Even amidst the destruction and negativity, we've witnessed incredible displays of support, unity, and new bonds forming both within the Jewish community and our neighbors of different faiths. However, we must not forget those who lost their lives on October 7th and the hostages still being held. Bringing home all hostages, including our friend Omer Neutra, the other 7 Americans, and all 132 total, remains a top priority. The most important thing we can look to for the future is Hatikvah (hope). Thank you to American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for helping to spread this message of hope through Global Hatikvah. https://lnkd.in/eq_ddBeh

The AJC takes on DC! Editor-in-chief Leroy Chapman Jr., CFO Sharmi Gandhi, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut attended the 2024 White House Correspondents' Dinner with special guests Jermaine Dupri, Dallas Austin, U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath and former GA Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. They walked the red carpet and met up with Jermaine and Dallas at the after party, DJ'ed by Jermaine.

Tonight, Jews across the world will gather with their families for Passover, and the youngest child will begin the Seder by asking “Why is tonight different from all other nights?” For Orna and Ronan Neutra, and Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin they will mark tonight the same way they have marked the past 198 nights—without their sons, 22-year-old Long Island native Omer Neutra, who joined the Israeli army to defend his grandparents’ homeland and 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who are both being held hostage in Gaza. There are 131 other families waiting for news from loved ones in the same situation. While we tell the story of the Jews escaping enslavement in Egypt, being led by Moses to the promised land and ask the four questions, Rachel Goldberg wants all Jews to ask a fifth. “I think for sure, the fifth question that everybody everywhere should be asking is, ‘Why are we not all here?’“ Tonight, as we celebrate with our families we must remember those that are not with their families and pray for the safe release of all the 133 hostages, and ask "Why are we not all here?" Bring them home. https://lnkd.in/ej2cKqRQ

The Nova Music Festival Exhibition originally premiering in Tel Aviv, is now coming to New York City. Together, the Nova founders and partners in the United States have crafted a sacred space where artifacts from the festival grounds will be showcased and survivors will have a haven to share their stories. We remember and honor all those who lost their lives on October 7th from the brutal terrorist attack, and our thoughts remain with the hostages, hoping for their safe return. All proceeds from the exhibition will support mental health treatment for victims and families of the Nova Music Festival. To donate, please visit here: https://lnkd.in/dyXQXZn3