Jewish Activist Hosted Kosher Iftar Meal in Crown Heights

By COLlive reporter

An Iftar break fast meal in the Muslim month of Ramadan was a strictly Kosher affair in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights on Wednesday evening.

The event was hosted at the home of Rabbi Yaacov and Shevi Behrman in Crown Heights, who prepared an elegant Glatt kosher three-course meal. For the past five years, they have partnered with Assemblymember Brian Cunningham and Imam Rasheed Jaaber of Masjid Kawthar to bring together members of New York’s Orthodox Jewish and Muslim communities for an evening of dialogue and shared purpose.

The dinner was attended by both Muslim and Chasidic residents of Crown Heights, who were invited to partake in the spirit of unity and friendship.

Among those in attendance were Ade Oluwo of the Nigerian American Muslim Integrated Community Center; Mica Soffer, Publisher of COLlive, Najmah Abraham, fashion designer and spoken-word artist; NYPD Inspector Igor Pinkhasov of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South; Rev. Terry Lee; Rabbi Yeruchim Silber of Agudah; District Leader Pinny Ringel; Mendy Margolin of the JFA, Ari Weiss, a Jewish community leader from Staten Island; Raul Rothblatt, Jewish Liaison at the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and Crown Heights businessman Shaya Gordon.

Imam Rasheed Jaaber of Masjid Kawthar opened the event, welcoming participants.

The event “bridges the gap between communities, to create a rapport to work together. We want to show that support for each other so we can face any challenge that comes to the neighborhood. We are all the children of G-d,” said Imam Rasheed Jaaber.

Assemblymember Brian Cunningham spoke about the importance of building a better future for the next generation.

“We want to make sure that we’re building the kind of future for our children,” Cunningham said. “Whether it’s my son, Rabbi Behrman’s children, or your children, we want to make sure this remains a community that doesn’t push people out, but lifts people up — and that our kids always have the opportunity to grow up in a safe community.”

Rabbi Yaacov Behrman of the Jewish Future Alliance reflected on the deeper purpose behind gatherings like the Iftar dinner.

“Events like this used to be simply about bringing people together,” he said. “But today, when the world can feel dark and the news is often filled with difficult stories, it’s even more important that we do this for ourselves — to remember who we are and the values we share. When we sit together, listen to one another, and build relationships, we strengthen our communities.”