A senior delegation of nearly a dozen New York law enforcement officials toured ZAKA Search and Rescue’s logistics center in Beit Shemesh on Monday to learn about the group’s response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and meet civilian volunteers whose work is regarded as central to Israel’s emergency system.
Members of the delegation included New York State Police Assistant Deputy Superintendents Lt. Col. Richard L. Mazzone and Lt. Col. Robert B. Appleton, NYPD Assistant Commissioner Yosef Lehrman, NYPD Assistant Chief Roberto Rios, Port Authority Superintendent Edward T. Cetnar and his chief of staff, Assistant Chief Christopher McNerney, Port Authority Police JFK Airport Commanding Officer Inspector Scot E. Pomerantz, and Port Authority Chaplain Joel Eisdorfer, a senior advisor to the Combat Antisemitism Movement.
At the center, ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern and other senior commanders gave the visiting officials a tour, highlighted equipment demonstrations and presented an overview of ZAKA’s efforts before, during and after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.
ZAKA staff explained the role of over 900 volunteers, among the first responders at civilian massacre sites, helping recover victims, gather evidence and arrange religious burials.
The officials also received briefings on forensic cooperation with law enforcement and the integration of ZAKA’s volunteers with police, fire, rescue and medical services, including details on the organization’s entirely volunteer makeup.
“We see things no one should,” Weissenstern said. “But it brings peace and dignity even in difficult moments. When terror struck, our volunteers worked with police and investigators to restore order and compassion.”
Moshe Rozenberg, ZAKA’s U.S. executive director, said the exchange highlighted how volunteer partnerships in Israel bring closure to families.
The visit, coordinated with the Combat Antisemitism Movement, offered the delegation insight into faith-based volunteerism supporting Israel’s professional emergency response. Officials observed ZAKA’s model for civilian volunteers working hand in hand with police and forensics, combining compassion with discipline and accuracy in complex crisis settings.
Founded to honor the dead in accordance with religious tradition, ZAKA has grown to a nationwide emergency response organization, now fielding over 4,000 trained volunteers across Israel. Operational units include medical response, search and rescue, water recovery, and culturally sensitive burial teams serving Jewish, Bedouin, Arab and Druze communities, alongside international disaster relief units.
