By COLlive reporter
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, who had many friends in the local Jewish community, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2016.
He was 50 years old.
Last week, Thompson announced that he had recently learned he has cancer and would take a sick leave. Thompson said in a statement that his chief assistant, Eric Gonzalez, would take over as interim district attorney.
“As a man of intense faith, I intend to fight and win the battle against this disease,” his statement read. “I humbly seek your sincere prayers as I confront this challenge and respectfully ask that you honor my family’s need and wish for privacy during this time.”
Thompson defeated long-time incumbent Charles J. Hynes in the Democratic primary in September 2013. He was elected as the first African-American district attorney of Kings County with the wide support of the Jewish community.
His bid was endorsed by the Jewish communal leadership of Borough Park, Crown Heights, Flatbush and Williamsburg. “We look forward to Ken’s fresh approach to the DA’s office, with his focus on keeping Brooklyn safe, while protecting the rights of all its citizens,” veteran activist
To sway the Jewish vote, Thompson traveled as far as the Catskills in Update New York in August 2013. Stopping in shops and camps, he spoke with Brooklyn natives and reminded them that this race has a lot at stake.
Thompson was the first candidate to unseat an incumbent Brooklyn D.A. since 1911. “I am deeply honored to have the overwhelming support of Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish communities,” Thompson said after the historic upset.
“I plan to work together with every community to ensure our neighborhoods are safer and stronger. We are united to restore the principles of justice and integrity in the District Attorney’s office.”
For his inaguration ceremony in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Thompson showed sensitivity to the Brooklyn Jewish community and invited cantor Yaakov Stark, brother of slain Satmar businessman Menachem Stark, to sing “Vehu Rachum.”
A year later, Thompson hosted a Jewish Heritage and Chanukah Celebration at the Long Island University, bringing together Jewish community leaders and political activists from neighborhoods such as Crown Heights, Williamsburg and Boro Park.
Thompson frequented Crown Heights for public events and private meetings with Crown Heights community leaders, as well as officials of Lubavitch World Headquarters after a bochur’s stabbing in 770 Eastern Parkway.
During the upcoming holiday of Sukkos, Thompson would join elected and city officials at the annual celebration in the Sukkah of Chanina Sperlin and then head to Kingston Avenue for the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva dancing. His absence will be felt this year.
“With a life and promise cut far too short, our city was blessed with but a glimpse of Ken’s unwavering commitment to justice and his unrivaled pursuit of a more fair system for all those he served,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
“Our courtrooms and our communities have no doubt been dealt a blow with Ken’s passing, but I am confident the indelible mark left by his public service will forever be a part of the fabric of our justice system. Tonight we mourn the loss of a champion of reform. Our task now will be to rise each day forward in the spirit Ken lived his life.”
Condolences to his family
he was a real mentch fighting corruption