QUEENS (VINnews) – Former council member and current Met Council CEO David Greenfield challenged attendees at Sunday’s Queens Jewish Community Council Legislative Breakfast to show pride in their Jewish identity amid rising antisemitism. Addressing children who feel hesitant to wear yarmulkes and instead opt for baseball caps, Greenfield said he understood their caution.

“But as you can see,” he added, gesturing to his own head, “my yarmulke has been getting bigger and bigger — not because I’ve become more religious, but because I want to show that I am proud to be a Jew and I am not afraid.”

My controversial take at Sunday’s breakfast of Jewish leaders in NYC: if your 10 year old is afraid to wear a yarmulke on the bus or train, let them wear a baseball cap. pic.twitter.com/6JtjjdSAth

— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) February 10, 2026

The annual breakfast, held at Young Israel of Jamaica Estates in Queens, opened with the U.S. National Anthem and Hatikvah, performed by Cantor Alan Brava of the Free Synagogue of Flushing. Greenfield described the attendees as “important members of the community” and encouraged them to lead by example.

Numerous elected officials from New York State and New York City, including many from Queens, attended the event. Among them were New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, U.S. Representatives Grace Meng and Tom Suozzi, former New York State Representative and current QJCC President Barry Grodenchik, QJCC Executive Director Mayer Waxman, and many others.