It’s not every day you see Jews, Muslims, Christians and blacks, whites and Hispanics in full holiday party mode – eating, dancing and enjoying each other’s company.
But that’s exactly what happened as more than 300 people packed into the Bridge Multicultural Advocacy Project (Bridge MCP) event space, 1894 Flatbush Avenue in Flatbush, to celebrate the organization’s fourth annual community holiday party, which celebrate’s the city’s diversity.
“This project is something that should be duplicated across the county. The high energy of Imams, Rabbis, Muslims, Jews, Blacks and Hispanics dancing and celebrating diversity is not beyond humanity to achieve,” said Bridge MCP Founder and President Mark Meyer Appel.
“Last night’s holiday party proves that love wins over hate. Thanks to all my brothers and sisters for joining us in this great historic moment,” Appel added.
The honorees for the event were New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, 63rd Police Precinct Commanding Officer Captain Tito Romero, Community activist Carole Elias and Secretary General of the Moroccan American Council to Empower Women (MACEMW) Mina Asserrare.
Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez introduced James as someone who has always celebrated diversity, and was the first elected official to come out in support for him during the recent election when he was elected as the first Latino in the state to become a district attorney.
James thanked Gonzalez, and also Appel for putting on the annual celebration, which highlights how that despite our religious, ethnic and cultural differences, everybody can take a page from The Bridge’s book and learn we share much more in common than our differences.
Other elected officials that were on hand included Assembly Woman Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) and City Council Members, Jumaane Williams, Chaim Deutsch and Council Member-elect Kalman Yeger.
The space was included a Jewish Menorah to celebrate Chanukkah as well as a Christmas tree and included Muslim decorations.
Prior and following the speeches, those in attendance ate, some drank and everybody intermingled with each other.
Also highlighting the diversity were several excellent live bands that included Jews, Muslims, blacks and Hispanics.
Attendees danced to such Jewish classics as Hava Nagila as well as reggae and soca music, which included a steel pan, several percussionists, string players and keyboards.
