Elected officials, community activists and residents came together Thursday for the Joint Legislative Dinner of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC) and Jewish Children’s Museum (JCM).
The event highlighted the work of both community institutions in fostering positive relations with the greater Crown Heights community. It honored key figures who serve Crown Heights.
Errol Louis, host of NY1’s Inside City Hall, emceed the event. Welcome remarks were given by Devorah Halberstam, co-founder of the Jewish Children’s Museum, and Rabbi Eli Cohen, Executive Director of the CHJCC.
Carl McCall, former New York State Comptroller and Chairman of the Trustees of State University of New York, was presented an award by Assemblyman Dov Hikind.
NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan was presented the Public Safety Award by Devorah Halberstam. Halberstam recognized Monahan’s dedicated work keeping Crown Heights and the city of New York safe, rising to the occasion in times of calm as well as crisis, sending out the troops and ensuring our residents feel secure.
NYPD Chief of Patrol Rodney Harrison received the Public Safety Award, presented by Rabbi Eli Cohen.
NY City Council Member Mathieu Eugene was presented the Civic Excellence Award by CEO of Met Council and former Council Member David Greenfield.
Council Member Chaim Deutsch, chair of the NY City Council’s Jewish Caucus, received the Jewish Leadership Award, presented by businessman Serge Hoyda, a member of the Board of Jewish Children’s Museum.
Willy Pilu received the Event Sponsor Award from businessman and Chairman of the Jewish Children’s Museum Yossi Popack.
A special surprise during the event was an award presented to Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke by Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin.
Congresswoman Clarke was recognized for her work in helping to gain a pardon for Rubashkin, as well as her recent co-sponsoring of two extremely important pieces of legislation: one which provides Israel with massively increased funding for defense and support in upgrading its weapons, and the second for imposing sanctions on Iran for its attempts to build ballistic missiles.
Stephanie Simon, Arts and Culture reporter for NY1, was honored with the Journalism Award, presented by Mica Soffer, Publisher of COLlive.com.
Simon related how she was introduced 14 years ago to the Jewish Children’s Museum by Devorah Halberstam, and reminded Halberstam of the words she said back then about the institution which is named for her son Ari Halberstam, murdered by a terrorist in 1994.
“You said that, ‘when I am in the museum, I am happy,'” Simon told Halberstam. “‘Because this is where Ari lives now.'”
Also in attendance were NYS Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, Assembly Member Walter Mosley, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, Council Member Kalman Yeger and representatives of Jewish Community Relations Council – JCRC of New York, ADL, Met Council, JCCs of Canarsie, Rockaway Park, Flatbush, and Marine Park.
Walk on East New York Ave, in a growing Jewish neighborhood and you will see an eight story building built by “the Bridge” with homeless drug addicts and others with serious mental problems who are being dumped out of Creedmore Mental Institution. A few of these prominent Jews voted for a project, which puts my friends kids at risk. As a Jew, I can’t respect the Jews on CB 9 who voted for it, and the other prominent political Jews who wouldn’t fight against the political establishment. Additionally, the Jewish city council members wrote and voted for DiiBlasio’s upzoning resolution… Read more »
BS”D The Vaad Hakol does not show up for anything anymore. The Community is run by Eli Cohen and Chanina. Time (actually overtime) for elections. At least elect the 2 aforementioned
Ditto, where was CB 9?
Congrats to all who serve the community. The ceremony would ,have been more complete had the volunteer members of the 71st Pct. Community Council been invited. Reminder:next meeting MS 61 7:30 PM this Thursday, May 17, 2018.