By COLlive reporter
Photos, Video: Itzik Roytman
The third annual “One Crown Heights” summer event took place Sunday, uniting the local Black, Caribbean, and Jewish communities for a day of family fun.
Organized in partnership with the Jewish Children’s Museum, Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and Project C.A.R.E, it kicked off at the Jewish Children’s Museum, where children gathered to prepare signs for a parade which marched to nearby Brower Park on Prospect Place and Kingston Avenue.
The parade was followed by the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the historic “One Crown Heights” mural, created by residents over the span of a year, which highlights the beauty, cultural diversity, and unity of the Crown Heights neighborhood.
Elected officials and community activists were in attendance for the ribbon cutting, including Lt. Gov. Kathleen Hochul, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, State Senator Jesse Hamilton, activist Devorah Halberstam, and Zaki Tamir, Chanina Sperlin and Eli Cohen of the CHJCC.
“When I saw all of the children in front of the Jewish Children’s Museum, it was such an exciting vision, because today we are unveiling this mural,” said Laurie Cumbo, about the mural which was created at various locations in the neighborhood.
“This mural came about from situations of tragedy that challenged our community. But it was the children that wanted to come together to create a mural that would show the togetherness and the unity of our community,” Cumbo said.
“There will never be another Crown Heights riot,” declared Devorah Halberstam. “It’s all about the children, my money is on them for our future,” she said.
“I am a witness to history… I lived through the riots, but we stand today in harmony and in peace. Today, it’s about being together – it’s about my neighbors and friends… I don’t care what side of town you are from, I’ll watch your back and you watch mine.”
The crowd then enjoyed a festival with entertainment by Chasidic singer Eli Marcus, musician Chony Milecki, songwriter Aron Einhorn, marching bands, stilt walkers, as well as a Bounce House, arts and crafts, face painting and other family fun.
“Crown Heights is a community of people who care about their neighbors and friends and come out this day to acknowledge and celebrate that harmony,” said Halberstam, co-founder of the Jewish Children’s Museum. “We are proud to join our partners and friends on this wonderful day.”
One Crown Heights is a cross-cultural project intended to increase community bonds, promote positive exchanges and respect, and create opportunities for the Black, Caribbean, Jewish and newer residents to work towards a unified community.
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its very sad that young families can no longer afford to live here but thats capitalism, we have had decades to build-up infrastructure like the Satmar who are light yrs ahead. Sadly u reap what u sow, we missed the boat. I think east-flatbush is the future, buy NOW before we miss the boat…again. u cant blame community leaders, they do a good job.
Big Z Schapiro -you rock!!!
From your fans!!
Had a wonderful afternoon with my kids- face painting, custom balloons and free cotton candy. + all the other activities. Thank you to the organizers – it was a wonderful thing to have somewhere nice to take your kids to on a hot summer day.
when they need to worry about housing for the young people of CH?
Smiling and gathering together the children is wonderful and kumbaya, but at the rate we are going CH will be left with the old folks and no new children. This is because there is no housing for the young marrieds.The Council people have been asleep at the wheel for too long, with absolutely zero vision for the future.
I was at this event it was very nice yes it did rain but the most important thing is I had a great time and that’s the most important thing thank you very much for all the organizers you did a great job
This event comes across as very patronizing. Residents of all races and backgrounds can’t afford to live in the neighborhood they grew up in and instead of trying to figure out how to stop this exodus or many other issues that affect the entirety of this ‘one community’ we waste money on this fluff.