As a passenger on the 84 4-6 times a year, I cant follow the OP at all. I have no idea where it all took place, was it at the Gate area, in which case nothing is likely to occur any time before 1 hr before the flight, and thats for a flight going any where as the Gate desk is not "Open".

Or was it at the check-in counters? Theres no way to tell.

Did they arrive at EWR @ 9;35am for a 4pm flight ??? or is it they left their 1st airport at 9:35am??

I feel bad for the OPs loss but that in no way is COs fault. Maybe the OP had no idea that BOTH TLV flights are usually close to 100% full, but as others posted, I cant understand why either the OP themselves or their TA didnt get them seats together and why they waited till flight time to get seats together, unless they purchased their tkts as a last min thought, but the OP did say it was a Church trip and they usually hav eto be purchased why in advanced.

Seems the OP is the culpit for what they had to go thru.

I also would like to know which seats they were given as if it was 44A/B or K/L Seatguru has these in GREEN and there arent many Green seats at all on these flights. If it was in the middle they do recline fully so whats the problem.

Unknown to the OP alot of families are split up on these flights and if by boarding time it isnt worked out usually once aboard it is. Those who work teh TLV flights are all too use to knowing that many a party will not be sitting together and will hav eto be reassigned Hopefully. Since there is a large No-show factor on thses flights its also alot easier for them to wait to see whom didnt check-in and to start the reassigning from there.

It seems the OP not having flown to TLV wasnt aware of what is a Twice Daily occurance 7 days aweek. So No there isnt any CO Employee that could wave a magic wand and get them seats together when ever the OP asked for it and teh OP was informed correctly that they would simply have to wait till Musicial Chairs can start to be played.