By COLlive reporter
Photos: Mendy Krief/COLlive
NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell visited the Jewish community of Crown Heights on Thursday, meeting with community leaders and visiting local landmarks.
She was accompanied by NYPD Community Affairs Commanding Officer Richie Taylor, Chief Advisor to the Mayor Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Senior Advisor to the Mayor Joel Eisdorfer, and Commissioner of Community Affairs for the Mayor Fred Kreizman.
Commissioner Sewell first visited the home of Rabbi Chanina Sperlin of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council. Present were Rabbi Eli Cohen of the CHJCC, Eli Slavin – community liaison for Congresswoman Yvette Clark, Chairmen of the two local NYPD precincts, Yingy Bistritzky – Coordinator of Hatzalah of Crown Heights, Carl Cohen of the 71st and Brian Saunders of the 77th precinct, and NYPD Clergy Liaison David Heskiel.
During the meeting, the two precinct chairmen were introduced, and the Commissioner heard from the community leaders about the concerns and issues of the diverse communities residing in the neighborhood.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin related to the Commissioner that it was in the Crown Heights Jewish community that steadfast support for Mayor Eric Adams had led to a turning point in the election.
The Commissioner spoke warmly about the NYPD and the community working together to improve safety in the community. She said the visit will be the first of many as she begins her new role.
She then headed to Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway for a visit to the Rebbe’s room and Agudas Chassidei Chabad Library, where they were greeted by Rabbi Yaacov Behrman and Rabbi Chaim Boruch Halberstam.
Before entering 770 and the Rebbe’s room, Rabbi Behrman explained the significance of the building and the holiness of the Rebbe’s room where the Rebbe studied, held private audiences and oversaw Chabad activities worldwide.
At the Rebbe’s room, Chanina Sperlin related the story of when the President of Israel Zalman Shazar visited the Rebbe, the Rebbe pointed to the table in his office and said, “At this very table, thousands upon thousands have poured their hearts out – and this I could not have brought to you!” Participants prayed for the safety of New York City.
Eisdorfer, Senior Advisor to Mayor Adams, pointed out that the day was very appropriate for a visit to the Rebbe’s Library since Jews worldwide marked Holocaust Memorial Day today.
“It was a most appropriate visit for today, as the Library of preserved Jewish and Chassidic treasures which have been rescued from Jewish persecution during the Holocaust and Communist Russia truly symbolize Jewish perseverance,” Eisdorfer said.
They were greeted by head librarian Rabbi Berel Levin who gave an overview of the Library.
The Commissioner then visited the Jewish Children’s Museum, where she was greeted by its co-founder Devorah Halberstam. She told of the Museum’s mission to educate and inspire people of all backgrounds, nationalities and faiths about the Jewish culture and faith.
Commissioner Sewell was greatly impressed by the large mural of a child’s face made up of children of all types, and was moved by the mission of the Museum and its impact.
Following the visit, Commissioner Sewell tweeted, “Some of the best resources to help keep our neighborhoods safe are the New Yorkers who live in them. Today, we were fortunate to meet with leaders in NYC’s Jewish community to discuss ideas about public safety, partnership — and moving our city forward.”
“I was privileged to have accompanied the Police Commissioner and Chief Advisor to the mayor on this visit,” said Rabbi Yaacov Behrman. “Ingrid has been a longtime friend of the Jewish community of Crown Heights and it was an honor to welcome her back in her role as Chief advisor to the Mayor.”
How about asking them why it took so long to fix the roads.. cars were damaged.. people feel and hurt themselves..
photo ops are good if things get done!
whats being done about this?
we in Crown Heights should feel it a privilege to have such askanim working so hard on our behalf and to have access to such an ohev Yisroel mayor.
But it is more than disgraceful how badly the good citizens of Jewish Crown Heights have been trashed by every facet of local government for so many years now. It’s really only due to our own proactive efforts and communal programs that we have survived as a community.
I say, let’s give them kavod after they’ve accomplished something, not before, just for existing.