Crown Heights’ Chassidic Hip Hop and R&B artist DeScribe (born Shneur HaSofer) launched his music video “Harmony” at a press conference held Monday at Brooklyn’s Borough Hall.
Attended by leaders of the Jewish and black communities in Crown Heights, the event also commemorated the 20th year of efforts for racial harmony since the violent 1991 riots.
The event opened with a video of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson greeting the New York City Mayor David Dinkins in 770 – Lubavitch Headquarters back in 1989.
In the archival footage provided by JEM, the Rebbe is seen blessing “may all (New York’s multitude of) nationalities live in good peace and harmony.”
DeScribe’s song titled ‘Harmony’ was inspired by those words. The video was a collaboration with Lenny Bass, who directed the music clip, and produced under Shemspeed, a recording label and artists’ promotional agency based in Crown Heights.
“I was at that meeting of the Rebbe,” said Brooklyn borough President Marty Markowitz, who was the host of the event. “I remember as if it was yesterday. I met him three times.”
Markowitz added: “Music, like sports and food, brings communities together. I applaud DeScribe for creating the ‘Harmony’ song and music video, (and) for reminding us all that, overwhelmingly, Brooklynites live side by side in peace. Mazel tov!”
The emcee was Rabbi Shea Hecht, chairman of the board of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), who recalled how in 1991 he worked across racial barriers in the pursuit of a peace in the community.
Awards to public officials were given out by Rohan Marley, son of the late reggae legend Bob Marley and owner of Marley Coffee, and the event’s initiator Yehuda Ceitlin, editor of COLlive.com, a Brooklyn-based community news service.
“With this small token of appreciation we are showing the public that the work of these peace-seeking people does not go unnoticed,” Ceitlin said.
Among those honored: Markowitz,Rabbi Hecht, Dr. Richard Green, CEO of Crown Heights Youth Collective (CHYC); Dr. William L. Pollard, president of Medgar Evers College; Rabbi Eli Cohen, executive director of CHJCC; NYS Senator Eric Adams, Council Member Letitia James and Assemblyman Karim Camara.
Zaki Tamir, Chairman of the Board of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, also addressed the press conference to which major newspapers like the New York Times and New York Daily News, as well as TV channels News 12 and NY1 sent reporters.
Following the ceremony, participants chatted over bagels and lox catered by Bunch O Bagels of Crown Heights.
Special thanks was given to Mica Soffer, publisher of COLlive.com and her husband Yossi Soffer, CEO of Unique Image Advertising, who co-sponsored the event.
“The “Harmony” music video seeks to raise and inspire people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity and acknowledge humanity’s unity,” said Erez Safar, director of Shemspeed.
“It is only through open communication and committed relationships that we will be able to bridge the divides between us and create a sustainable society founded on the pillars of peace, justice and equality,” he added.
VIDEO: News 12 covers the event
Photos by Yossi Percia / COLlive.com
I feel the pain in your words.
Everyone must find his or her own music. No one is forcing anyone to do anything– just offering love.
chas v’sholom to talk like that
we will accept 16 into our community and you to please don’t talk an behalf of everyone !
our ahavas yisroel extends to all ! we want moshiach now!
did anyone notice that a female participant is wearing a kafiyah? I suppose she wants the opportunity to express her solidarity with the rove aravim. Funny though, she would be stoned out of Jerusalem and Hevron.
I agree with #16
Peace is good….
but do we have to change who we are and act like them???
its true, just beacuse YOU dnt think its rite, dnt go round and put other ppls hard work in the garbage!
i agree but even more so if u watch the vid at the end it has all the jews standing to gether in the streets davening mincha
he started rapping b4 making this song he even has a vid with him in a kappote rapping at a shabbos table
Whatever happened to DR. Laz????
I agree with you, but the way you said it – you really sound like you’re pressure cooking a persecution complex peppered with paranoia perfectly popping with peevishness prepared to pout perpetualy. Why so critical? This video is a great initiative. Unfortunately, the theme was compromised by using chabad youths dressed like the latest Abercerombie model. It should have been shot using bochurim dressed in hats and jackets. The point is we can get along even though we are worlds apart. It’s OK to criticize, but there is no reason to go around bashing people like you did. Especially people… Read more »
i cudnt have said it better. you are so right!!
One more reason that sadly Crown Heights has become irrelevant for Chabad.
Totally agree with your message and the presentation is great!
Where is Dr Laz? he is the one that laid the groundwork and foundation while fielding all the attacks and animosity.. its nice what you guys want to do.. but give credit where its due
Great comments #16.
However, I’ll support any kind of peacefuly coexistence effort. If it works, that’s great. But, NO, I will not learn to like rap music.
man ur a good writer!
I wouldn’t call all of these folks the “political elite” — Roger Green has dedicated his life to helping CH kids and Dr. Pollard and Mr. Tamir lead organizations which have a history to mediation in race relations after the riots. Musicians who are activist on this are a welcome sight. Shalom.
“Lets get together and feel alright”
So, is this what the world has come to? To have respect, do I have to give up being me, and become You? Do I have to rap so that you don’t attack? Do I change my name from Sofer to DeScribe In order to stay alive? To prevent a riot do I have to become A Jew that looks like a street bum? Is this peace? That I become you? No! Accept me as I am, a Hassidic Jew Respect me and I’ll respect you. This rap impresses but a few Its shallow, silly and naive To believe That… Read more »
If I was the President of the USA this guy would for sure get some kind of big acknowledgment!!
But yesh Loimar that this video shouldn’t fit the standards of collive.com……
for the chabad kids to see this!!!!!!
How about we start loving our fellow Jew first?
Great video and an amazing initiative
Dude, you are awesome. I can’t believe I’m watching this. Long gone are the days of Zefat sitting over the ledges. Dude, you are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO GO GO!
Wow, a party for the political elite where they get to honor themselves! Wunderbar!
abit too much emphasis on the goyim, need more jewishness
I can see where youth thinks this is peace. But let’s not forget – ‘esov soneh es yaakov’ . Its dangerous to forget that.
Your a rock star!!!!
IG
Was Dr. Laz ahead of his time?….
This is the same Lubavitch as in 1991 when the Rebbe was there and tolerance efforts were made the people like Dr. Laz and others.
i dont get it, the video was released in March?
Shneur, your desire for harmony amongst mankind is acheiving amazing results, you have acheived alone in 2 years what many others have not been able to acheive in 20 years. Keep up your fantastic work, you are fulfilling the Rebbes wishes. Mazal Tov!!!
Haintige Lubavitch. *Sigh…*