By COLlive reporter
Gardy Brazela, the first Caribbean-American Chairman of Community Board 18 and President of the NYPD 69th Precinct Community Council, paid a visit to the Rebbe‘s Ohel in Queens, Sunday.
Brazela and his wife Sandra were welcomed at the Ohel Chabad-Lubavitch Center by Chazzan Shlomie Rabin who led them through the custom of writing a personal “pan” note requesting for blessings.
Mr. Brazela, born in Haiti, is a candidate for the New York City Council to represent the 46th council district which covers Canarsie and much of Brooklyn South. Elections will be held in 2021.
But this isn’t his first interaction with Chabad.
As a teenager, Brazela worked at Kahan’s Superette in Crown Heights owned by R’ Berel Kahan. His job was facilitated under a federal job training program that incentivized businesses to hire teenage youth as a way of keeping them off the streets.
Brazela fondly recalls delivering groceries to Jewish residents in the neighborhood, including the Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson‘s home on President Street. “They would give me generous tips,” he comments.
“Gardy is grateful for the benefits he experienced as a youth, and is passionate about bringing youth to fitness and cultural centers after school hours,” Rabin told COLlive.com. “He thinks this will keep them engaged in good activities and educate our youth positively.”
The visit happened a day after the anti-Semitic stabbing attack during a Chanukah celebration in Monsey.
Gardy, a friend of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa who resides in his district, condemned the attack and said he believes “we must teach our children racial and human tolerance.”
Rabin said he spoke with Brazela about implementing a Moment of Silence in public schools, as another way to educate youth. “He looks forward to bringing that to the other council members and the Mayor,” Rabin said.
His wife is respectfully dressed tzniusdik.
Democrat?