In a celebration of unity within the greater Brooklyn community, over 300 people of various ethnicities, races, and religions joined the Bridge Multicultural Project at its Annual Unity in Action holiday gathering.
This event, dedicated towards the unification and diversity across multiple communities as aligned with the mission of the Bridge, helped further fulfill its vision to promote peace and love and work to coexist and unite within diverse communities.
Honorees at this year’s event included 45th District City Councilwoman Farah N. Louis (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, Midwood., Council Member of the 45th District, Evan Bernstein, the New York/New Jersey Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and Mohammad Razvi, Founder and Executive Director of the Council of Peoples Organization (COPO).
Joining the honored guests were elected officials including U.S. Rep. Yvette D Clarke, Kings County’s District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Public Advocate Jumaane William, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte, City Councilmembers Chaim Deutsch, Kalman Yeger and Dr. Mathieu Eugene, and Democratic District Leader Josue Pierre.
The pleasant atmosphere in the room was lit up with excitement and a great sense of unity as everyone enjoyed the festivities.
Louis, as the first honoree, received The Unity in Action Leadership Award. As the lawmaker approached the podium, the room was filled with thunderous applause and emotions as many recalled and reflected on her triumphant victory, during the recent elections in the 45th District, as the unified 45th district candidate. Yeger and prominent attorney Benjamin Pinczewski presented the award.
ADL Regional Director Bernstein received The Bridge Unity Achievement Award, for fighting hate crime in New York and New Jersey City. His commitment to this daunting task has no boundaries. He has done an excellent job in reducing the level of hatred across communities in both New York and New Jersey. Brooklyn DA Gonzalez and Public Advocare Williams presented the award.
Gonzales, in his remarks, gave high praise to Bernstein and the ADL for their continuous and hard work in reducing hates as well as the educational programs in serving over increased education presently in New York City public schools.
The Bridge Founder and President Mark Meyer Appel introduced Mohammad Razvi, the Founder of COPO, who received The Bridge Community Achievement Award as a strong voice in empowering Brooklyn’s Muslim Community and as being a strong voice and leader in the promotion of unity across ethnic and religious groups.
Rabbi Bob Kaplan of the Jewish Community Relations Council and Councilman Mathieu Eugene presented the award to Razi.
Appel then gave a passionate and emotional speech in expressing his appreciation to all the honorees for making Brooklyn a place where all people regardless of their religion or race live together in harmony.
“The Bridge looks forward to the new year 2020 as we continue our mission of fostering and expanding our educational and multicultural programs,” said Appel.
