NYC Renames Street After Couple

By COLlive reporter

The New York City Council voted to co-name Carroll Street between Brooklyn and New York Avenues “Sarah and Michoel Behrman Way,” Thursday, June 28.

Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo, who sponsored the bill, tweeted following the vote on the co-naming “Proud to honor their many contributions to the community!”

The Lubavitcher couple resided on Carroll between Brooklyn and New York since 1983, and were the longest Lubavitcher family living on the block.

In 1988, Rabbi J. J. Hecht recruited Michoel to start Operation Survival, a drug prevention program. Even when some opposed him on the grounds that drawing attention to substance abuse would hurt the community, Michoel persisted, and, with just a handful of people, went on to save hundreds of lives over the years.

Sarah worked 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.

Mayor Bill De Blasio will sign the bill into law in the coming weeks. The new sign is expected to be installed at a ceremony in August.

State Senator Jesse Hamilton, Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, and Community Board 9 wrote letters supporting the co-naming of Carroll Street in memory of the Behrmans.

Council Member Kalman Yager tweeted a photo from City Hall Council Chamber showing their son “Yaacov Behrman observing NYC Council proceedings as we prepare to honor his parents Sarah and Michoel, by co-naming a portion of Carroll Street in their memory.”