One Crown Heights on Sunday afternoon in Brower Park was a day for activities for the whole family, music, and togetherness. There was a variety of ethnic music, with a highlight of the afternoon being the duet of Steff Reed, a Black man, joining Aaron Einhorn, who is Jewish, in a selection of mixed cultural melodies.
Between the musical performances there was a break for Community Conversations where neighbors from the largely African American and Jewish community of Crown Heights discussed the recent turmoil on the streets and ways to combat violence, especially on the part of young people.
The children enjoyed the free admission to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum; as well as a variety of crafts, sports, and an interactive gymnastics show with J-Leagues, Steel Drum Bands and Stilt Walkers.
The Kosher food was provided by Carbon BK.
The mission of One Crown Heights is to bring people together, to foster an environment of understanding and appreciation for different cultures, and to inspire positive change. It received funding and organizing support from its inception, from JCRC -NY, in its role as an anchor agency of the Mayor’s Office on the Prevention of Hate Crimes, Partners Against the Hate (PATH) initiative.
One Crown Heights Community Festival is a partnership of: Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Jewish Children’s Museum, and Neighbors in Action, together with ADL New York/New Jersey, Affinity Plan, American Jewish Committee, Brooklyn Festival of Arts and Music, Brooklyn Hospital Center, Community Boards 8 & 9, Crown Heights Care Collective, Crown Heights Community Council, Crown Heights North Association, Crown Heights Youth Collective, FDNY, Fidelis, Friends of Brower Park, Interborough Developmental & Consultation Center (Connect-IDCC), Jewish Community Relations Council, Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights, Love Hoops NY, Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, The Neighborhood BK, NYC Commission on Human Rights, Repair the World, Shua Strong, 77 Community Precinct Council, UJA-Federation, VNS Health, and Wellcare..The Office of the Mayor, NY City Council Members Crystal Hudson, Rita Joseph, and Chi Osse, Darlene Mealy, Congress Members Yvette D. Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries, NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie, NYS Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Stephanie Zinerman, and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
