By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shneur Haviv/COLlive
A delegation from the New York City Council visited the Jewish Children’s Museum in Crown Heights last week, where they were hosted by Devorah Halberstam, co-founder of the Museum, to learn about the landmark museum and its mission.
The group was led by NYC Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, and was coordinated by Council Member Crystal Hudson representing our district of Crown Heights, and included Council Member Eric Dinowitz – Chair of the Jewish Caucus, Council Member Chi Osse – Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Council Member Kalman Yeger, Council Member Inna Vernikov, Council Member Darlene Mealy and Pesach Osina, Liaison to Council Speaker Adams.
The group enjoyed a tour of the Museum, followed by lunch where they held a discussion about the services of the Museum and the children it serves, educating visitors about the history and culture of the Jewish people.
The discussion also centered on the issues the Jewish community is currently facing in terms of antisemitism, and the fact that the Museum has in the past been a target of a hate crime.
Halberstam thanked the New York City council for their continued strong support of the museum and its programs. She stressed the importance of bringing children from all over the city to the Museum so they can learn about Jewish life, faith, and culture.
Children that visit learn about the Jewish history and way of life, including Shabbos, Jewish holidays, and customs, and about Ari Halberstam, whom the Museum is named for, and how he was murdered in an act of hatred in a terror attack.
The council members heard about the tens of thousands of youth that are being educated at the Museum in a way that is revolutionary, and “in a way that isn’t being done anywhere else in the city,” Halberstam said.
“The hands-on education we offer at the Museum is critical for children, because education through culture stays with them forever,” Halberstam said. “The goal of the Museum is to instill acceptance, hope, and understanding about the Jewish people and the Jewish way of life in the children who visit. These children are the leaders of the next generation,” she said.
