By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shimi Kutner/COLlive
The annual Sukkah celebration took place on Wednesday night in Crown Heights at the home of the Intergovernmental Liason of the CHJCC and community activist Rabbi Chanina Sperlin.
Many State and City political leaders joined the festivities, including Lieutenant Governor of New York Kathy Hochul, NY State Attorney General Letitia James, Clarke, NY State Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, State Assembly Members Walter Mosley and Diana Richardson, Brooklyn, Borough President Eric Adams, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzales, NY City Comptroller Scott Stringer, NY City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo and Members Mathieu Eugene, Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Chaim Deutsch, and Kalman Yeger, Israeli Consul General Danny Dayan and Deputy Consul Israel Nitzan and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis.
The elected leaders were joined by Pinny Ringel – representative of Mayor Bill De Blasio, Eli Slavin – representative of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Pinny Hikind – representative of Comptroller Scott Stringer, as well as community leaders from Crown Heights and other communities, and NYPD Chiefs and Precinct Commanders. Attending for the first time was the Director of the new NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, Deborah Lauter.
The assembly heard from Rabbi Eli Cohen, Executive Director of the CHJCC, and Chanina Sperlin about the importance of the Sukkos holiday.
Then, each of the elected leaders took a turn to speak of the wonderful work that has been accomplished in Crown Heights to bring together residents from the various ethnicities that comprise this unique neighborhood, and spoke of the necessary continued efforts to bridge communities and foster friendship and understanding.
Many spoke also of the important role of Rabbi Sperlin in shaping the political landscape of the City, some reminiscing about working together for the past decade.
Many officials bid farewell to Israeli Consul General Danny Dayan, who is nearing the end of his tenure in New York.
As the rain lightened towards the end of the event, many of the guests were able to take a small bite in the Sukkah behind the Sperlin home.
To the CHJCC and our elected officials and staffs for all you do all year round in helping our community with Quality of life and the challenging issues for community and individuals alike.