By Mordechai Lightstone
Last month, the Crown Heights community lost a visionary educator and advocate for the less fortunate. Mrs. Sarah Behrman, a long time resident of the community, passed away on Monday, June 17, after a lengthy illness. She was 69.
Known for her humor, open home, colorful personality, the musicals she wrote and performed in, and her 18 years of service advocating for and assisting people with special needs, Sarah was a constant source of insight and inspiration to those who knew her. From her garden on Carroll Street, she would dispense gardening advice –learned in the late ’60s during her three years with the Peace Corps in Ghana– to her African American and Jewish neighbors.
In the early 1970s, Sarah moved to Berkeley, California, where she taught in an inner-city school. When she decided to go to India, two of her friends involved in the Chabad Lubavitch movement met her at the airport and brought her a message from the Lubavitcher Rebbe OBM advising her to go to yeshiva and learn about Judaism.
After finishing her 11 month trip backpacking from India to China through the Himalayas, Sarah did go to a yeshiva, and finally moved to Crown Heights, where she met and married Michoel Behrman and raised a chassidic family.
Her passions remained in helping those less fortunate. Starting in 1994, Sarah began working for HASC, the Jewish educational and clinical social service agency for people with special needs.
Touching the lives of hundreds, she lobbied local lawmakers to redefine the way people with disabilities are viewed. Sarah believed that a person is a much larger than his or her disability. By focusing on her clients’ abilities rather than their impairments, she empowered them to make their own decisions, take control over their lives, greatly enhancing their quality of life.
Shortly after joining HASC, Sarah began to work with a young woman whose severe physical disabilities confined her to her home. Realizing that the Internet, still a relatively nascent tool, could help the young woman connect to the outside world but hampered by the lack of money in the budget for Internet access, Sarah called the CEO of AOL to seek help. When his assistant asked why AOL should do this, Sarah replied, “Because it will bring goodness and kindness into the world.” The woman was given a lifetime subscription to AOL.
Due to Sarah Behrman’s unique dedication to HASC, the organization will be naming a room in its offices on East 14th Street in Brooklyn “The Sarah Behrman Conference Room.”
HASC will also be giving an annual award in Sarah’s memory to an employee who excels in the person-centered approach to serving people with disabilities.
In Crown Heights, a Shloshim memorial event, marking 30 days since her passing will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 8:30 PM, at Getzel’s Shul, 1414 President Street (Kingston Avenue entrance). Men and women are invited.
When I started my career at HASC as a then Res Hab trainer, Sarah was my biggest cheerleader. She believed in my ability to go beyond the routine job of a res hab trainer. Throughout my career, Sarah has always challenged me, even when we didn’t agree eye to eye. I admired her gumption, or don’t take no for an answer no matter what attitude. Sarah made a difference in the lives she touched, I know for certain, she has touched mine. May hashem bring you ever closer to your highest potential, your ever glowing soul.
I’m very grateful for the advice and help she gave me; and also for the inspiration and the example of fighting for what’s right with pride, determination, and joy. May H-shem comfort her family and all of Israel.
I’m out of town, but want to hear every word said in relation to this irrepressible, irreplaceable, delightful person who knew how to squeeze life out of every moment.
We all have some much to learn from her.
I wish I could be there tomorrow but it will be impossible.
I’ll certainly be there in spirit.
I haven’t seen Sara for decades, and never spent a lot of time with her, yet I have vivid memories of her warmth and kindness.
amain
Yes, she was such a special individual.
Thank you Hasc for giving her such a special tribute!! So well deserved!!
SHE WAS ONE OF THE TEACHERS IN MY SONS SCHOOL IN HASC.
I DID NOT KNOW SHE WENT TO GAN EDEN I’LL MISS HER A LOT. SHE WAS A PERSON WITH A KIND HEART I’M CRYING. LET HER BE A MALITZ YOSHER FOR HER FAMILY AND THIS WORLD TO BRING US MOSHIACH.
I won’t be able to be there in person. I admired Sarah so much. I especially appreciated her sense of humor, her many talents and above all her dedication to the special needs community. I learned alot from her. Condolences again to the family. May we share only simchas.