Council Speaker Comes for a Tour

By COLlive reporter

The Speaker of the New York City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito came to the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn on Tuesday to learn about the Jewish community and to work on improving its relations with its neighbors.

Her first stop was at the offices of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, where she discussed Food Stamps enrollment, Medical Insurance enrollment, Rent Reductions for Seniors and Crime Victims Services.

“These services are provided free to the community,” reported the council’s Executive Director Eli Cohen. Much of this work is funded through the New York City Council.

Council Member Laurie Cumbo, who represents most of Crown Heights in her District 35, accompanied the Speaker on her tour.

They continued on Kingston Avenue where the Speaker was able to see the local businesses and learn about the nature of the community. Cohen told her about the Rebbe‘s vision for the community as it has been fulfilled over the past 50 plus years.

At the home of community activist Chanina and Orly Sperlin, the speaker participated in a meeting of Project Care, an organization that was created to foster healthy relationships between the various racial and ethnic groups that comprise Crown Heights.

Present were Fishel Brownstein and Yossi Hackner, members of the Community Council; Devorah Halberstam, Director of Foundation & Government at the Jewish Children’s Museum; Eli Slavin, an aide for Congresswomen Yvette Clarke and other activists.

They were joined by officials from the New York Police Department, Assistant Chief Owen Monaghan of Brooklyn South, Chief Gerald Nelson of Brooklyn North and Deputy Inspector George Fitzgibbon, Commanding Officer of the 71st precinct.

In a Facebook status, Cumbo wrote: “Thank you Rabbi Chanina Sperlin for welcoming the leaders of the Crown Heights community into your lovely home to fellowship with remarkable men and women from all backgrounds. Appreciate the hospitality!”