Over the last few months, buffer zones around houses of worship have become one of the most discussed public safety issues in our community. Following the horrific incidents outside multiple synagogues, many people expressed concern—but few immediately stepped forward to lead.

The very first elected official to publicly say, “We need to do something about this,” was Senator Sam Sutton.

Senator Sutton did more than make a statement. He followed through. He introduced legislation, advocated tirelessly in Albany, met with stakeholders and elected officials, and remained focused on the issue throughout the entire legislative session. At no point did he lose sight of the goal of improving safety around houses of worship.

Through his persistence and determination, meaningful progress was achieved. At the beginning of the legislative session, the proposal being discussed was a 25-foot buffer zone around houses of worship. Many questioned whether even that could become law. Yet Senator Sutton continued building support, engaging fellow lawmakers, and keeping the issue at the forefront of discussion.

As the legislative process moved forward, the proposal ultimately grew from 25 feet to 50 feet—double the original distance being sought. That is a significant accomplishment and a testament to Senator Sutton’s relentless advocacy. The final result did not happen by accident. It happened because he never stopped pushing the issue forward and never stopped working to build support among his colleagues.

At Kol Yisroel, we had the privilege of witnessing that dedication firsthand. Time and again, Senator Sutton listened, engaged, and worked to advance solutions that would make our communities safer. His commitment never wavered.

Leadership is measured not only by words, but by action, persistence, and results. Senator Sutton demonstrated all three.

No major legislative effort succeeds through the work of one person alone. Kol Yisroel would also like to extend its sincere appreciation to Senator Sutton’s dedicated team, particularly Joey Saban and Eddie Esses, who were instrumental in advancing this effort. Their commitment, persistence, and countless hours of behind-the-scenes work played a critical role in helping move this legislation forward. Throughout the process, they remained engaged, accessible, and focused on achieving meaningful results for the community.

We would also like to recognize former New York State Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal, who never let this issue fade from public attention. From the very beginning, he remained focused on the need for stronger protections around houses of worship and continued advocating for this legislation every step of the way. His unwavering dedication and steadfast support helped build momentum for this important achievement, and our community is grateful for his tireless advocacy.

On behalf of Kol Yisroel and the many students, volunteers, and community members who participated in this advocacy effort, we would like to publicly thank Senator Sam Sutton, his outstanding staff, former Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal, and the countless advocates who worked tirelessly to make this legislation a reality.