A number of elected officials and over 200 community residents came to Flatbush yesterday for a visionary peek into the multiculturalism, making the specter of identity politics look like something of a passing political trend.
The event was the The Bridge Multicultural & Advocacy Project’s (MCP) Interfaith Unity Seder, where Jews, Muslims, Christians, blacks, whites, and Asians gathered to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover, commemorating the Biblical fact that Jews were once slaves until God freed them.
Held at the Bridge’s flagship location, 1894 Flatbush Avenue a block north of Kings Highway, the seder drew a number of elected officials including Public Advocate Letitia James, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene, Assemblyman Dov Hikind and Dr. Rudy Crew President of Medgar Evers College.
“The Bridge MCP has done an excellent job of standing by their mission of building bridges across the city rather than walls of divisiveness,” said Clarke in awarding The Bridge founder, Mark Meyer Appel with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his work in bringing all communities together.
Appel founded The Bridge 20 years ago as an avenue for social change within the nation. Its strong advocacy movement has been extremely successful in effecting the local community for change. It has supported more effective laws to protect children from sexual abuse as well as leading an aggressive push for expanding services for children of special needs. Its work in fighting serious health issues including; Diabetes, Asthma, and Obesity has led to changes and the expansion of city-wide programs in addressing these issues.
“We are blessed to live in a nation that not only celebrates, but guarantees us so many liberties,” said Appel. “I cannot think of a better theme [than Passover] for coming together as diverse communities during this moment in our nation’s history.”
Abu Khaliquzzaman, a prominent leader in the Muslim community and the President of The Interfaith Dialogue Project Peaceheals agreed. “We are brothers and sisters, who worship the same God,” he said.
Highlighting the evening was the singing of traditional Passover melodies with their theme of freedom, accompanied by dancing and celebration by people of all faiths. One of the most resonant moments of the event was when people linked arms and sang the anthem “We Shall Overcome.”
“The informal communal togetherness that took place at the Interfaith Unity Seder is truly the best of New York City,” said Hikind. “Let’s use the example of Mark Appel and the Bridge as a model for how to go forth as a united for the common good. We owe the great people of our city nothing less.”
For further info on The Bridge email Mark Meyer Appel at Mark@thebridgemcp.com or call 917.804.3942.
For now, check out the Bridge’s Interfaith Unity Seder:
