A Hate Attack on One Person of Any Faith, Race or Sexual Orientation is an Attack on All New Yorkers                     

OCTOBER 22,2018

PRESS RELEASE                                                                                OCTOBER 22,2018

                         

By Mark Meyer Appel,

Founder
 THE BRIDGE MULTICULURAL AND ADVOCACY     CENTER

The past couple of weeks have been troubling for all New Yorkers. Four hate crimes committed against people of different racial and religious groups from four different communities brought pain and anguish to the residents of Brooklyn.

In the past few days I proudly stood with political and community leaders of all races and religions to denounce these recent hate crimes, calling for peace in our communities. I stood with members of the Anti-Defamation League, Agudath Israel and with prominent Afro-American, Caribbean and Muslim civil rights leaders—all united by one clear message: THAT HATE AGAINST ONE NEW YORKER FROM ANY BACKGROUND IS A HATE CRIME AGAINST ALL NEW YORKERS 

I believe that to be successful in fighting hate crimes of today, we must examine how leaders of our city had worked to reduce hate crimes in the past. During the unrest in Crown Heights in the 1980’s, the late Congressman Major Owens created an ongoing dialogue of all the groups living in Crown Heights known as the Crown Heights Coalition. The coalition addressed issues of hate crimes by finding ways to unite different groups living in the community. In 1998, Congressman Owens helped to create the Crown Heights Mediation Center to continue the work of the Crown Heights Coalition. Today, the Mediation Center’s focus is on much needed criminal justice reforms.

Congressman Owens’ efforts aimed at the improvement of the relations between African Americans and Jews living in Crown Heights, almost immediately following the rioting. We must follow the example of Congressman Owens and form a City-Wide Coalition Mediation Center to battle the rise of hate crimes in 2018. A new coalition must create educational and inter-group programs to enlighten the young, old and all residents that New Yorkers, despite their different backgrounds and beliefs, are all members of one NYC family.

In 2012 I founded THE Bridge Multi-Cultural and Advocacy center, known as the Bridge. The mission of the Bridge is to bring all racial, religious and sexual orientation groups that make up our great city together. The Bridge’s objective is to show that We have much more in common than what divides us.  The Bridge advocates events and programs to bring New Yorkers from different groups and backgrounds together.

In the past years the Bridge held numerous events that highlighted the beautiful history of different cultures, Jewish, Caribbean, Muslim. The Bridge invites members from every community to each of its cultural events. The Bridge’s Unity in Action Team is made up of community leaders from many backgrounds who march and fight back against hate all over Brooklyn. The Bridge is also fighting for more affordable housing, to lessen the increasing tensions caused by gentrification.

If we are to remain a great nation, each generation of Americans must improve the work of the past. It is the duty of our generation to reduce the hate and bring Americans from different groups and backgrounds together. I formed the Bridge to help accomplish this mission. We can only fix today’s problems of hate, lack of quality education, poverty, homelessness and lack of affordable housing by working together. If all of us, from different religious, racial, ethnic and sexual orientation groups work together, we can make America a better county for all. Communication, understanding and respect between people from different backgrounds is what the heart and soul of America is all about.

THE BRIDGE MULTICULTURAL AND ADVOCACY PROJECT

1894 FLATBUSH AV

BROOKLYN, NY 11210

718 338-5200

WWW.THEBRIDGEMCP.COM

THE BRIDGE MULTICULTURAL MISSION TO ISRAEL

• By Dr Monalisa Ferrari
• REFLECTIONS AND EMOTIONS
• 
  
• On July 8, 2018 I took part in the most historical and memorable heritage trip to the Holy land. This multicultural mission gathered people of different faiths. During our ten-day visit, we visited several holy sites in Israel including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Bethlehem and Husan, a Palestinian village of 70000 inhabitants which have been living peacefully with their neighboring Israeli communities for many years without any walls or barriers. Rabbi Bob Kaplan, a leader of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, joined our group in Israel “Journeying in Israel with this group of leaders representing Brooklyn’s present and future and seeing it through their eyes was a powerful and dynamic experience. The work of The Bridge and its founder Mark Meyer Appel is a true gift to all who live in New York’s diverse communities” said Rabbi Kaplan
  
  
  

  

  IN DISCUSSION WITH RABBI BOB KAPLAN  (JCRC)

  

  SABBATH PRAYER SERVICE

Since its inception in 2012, The Bridge has been instrumental in uniting and energizing people of all backgrounds to face societal issues and advocate for change as a united community. Mark’s vision as a founder has broken many of the barriers that have prevented us from growing as a cohesive community. His philosophy as a leader is to promote unity and justice for all. A major part of the advocacy work entails providing support in a variety of ways to the members of the Bridge and their homeland such as Haiti, Israel, Puerto Rico and Yemen. Unity through diversity is key in the process of everyone coming together as one people.

 Appel is also the co-founder of Community Health and Protective Services (CHAPS), a primary care diagnostic and treatment center for children with special needs and their families, and the CHAPS Early Intervention Center, which provides services to children under age 3 who have special needs. In addition, he has served on the board of New York City Health and Hospital Corporation (NYCHHC) and the New York City’s Mayoral Mental Health Advisory Board. As a trustee of the American Jewish Congress he attracts many of his fellow members to join in the fight for equality amongst communities and the different ethnic groups that make New York City a true melting pot.

Our trip began with prayers at the three holiest sites in Jerusalem which is comprised of today’s three major religions Christians, Jewish and Muslims. Our visit at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem which is a major pilgrimage center for Christians all around the world brought chills to members of our delegation as they kneeled at the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus to pray. As we navigated the Wailing Wall on the western side of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, we were all amazed by the amount of tourist from around the world who gathered to bring their written prayer request. Nearby the Muslims simultaneously congregated at the mosque across the Dome of the Rock an Islamic shrine.

MEETING YONI PERES AT THE PERES PEACE CENTER

MARK MEYER APPEL,.MAYOR NIR BARKAT AND DEPUTY MAYOR YITCHOK PINDRUS OF JERUSALEM

MEETING THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL DAVID FRIEDMAN

As a member of the New York Haitian Leadership Fellowship now known as the Haitian Leadership Coalition which is a project of CAUSE-NY, the intergroup relations department of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) I was overjoyed to experience the clinical and practical aspect of the teaching of Rabbi Kaplan. A session with Hagai allowed me the opportunity to acquire a deeper knowledge and understanding on how to rebuild communities that are prone to being resistant to change yet they are able to coexist today in spite of their religious beliefs or myths projected by the media. This experience has stimulated ongoing interactions with all community leaders who have tirelessly worked towards the rebuilding of Haiti. As a member of the Unity in Action Team we look forward to building sustainable relationships across the Diaspora whereby model communities can be replicated successfully. My multiple visit to the holy city did not prevent me from experiencing the same level of excitement and inspiration as my colleagues. This was the first time that I witness a diversified and interracial group of individuals bonding without fear or reservation. Thus, leaving me with the hope and certainty that the ultimate goal of the mission to unite all of us as children of one God will be met.

The delegation comprised of Mark Meyer Appel of The Bridge Multicultural Center, Rabbi Bob Kaplan of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), Rabbi Mendy Mirocznick Executive Vice President of Rabbinical Alliance of America, Ms. Farah Louis, Deputy Chief of Staff NYC City Council, Margarette and Mellissa Tropnas, Carol and Victoria Elias, Pastor Nerlyne Desrameaux, Edwidge Michel, Katherine and Anisa Khatan, Mireille Leroy Jacob Kornbluh, Political Reporter for Jewish Insider and Dr. Monalisa Ferrari President of the Society for Haitian Research-Perspectives Haitians

As a Jew who travels frequently to Israel, this trip will remain a lifetime memory filled with joy and love. To experience Israel with my fellow New Yorkers of all religions brought me to a new and renewed conviction that only together we can achieve peace and prosperity together. Visiting with the Peres family at the Peres Center n Tel Aviv as well as meeting with the different government officials including Mayor Nir Barkat and Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Yitchok Pindrus an important part of our mission proclaimed THR BRIDGE founder Mark Meyer Appel

IN THE MEDIA

Ihttps://www.liherald.com/eastrockaway/stories/building-bridges-across-borders,105775

http://liherald.com/fivetowns/stories/building-bridges-across-borders,105775

mark meyer appel

mark@thebridgemcp.com

A HAPPY AND SWEET YEAR

EMERGENCY CALL FOR ACTION TO DEAN ROBERT I GROSSMAN OF NYU MEDICAL CENTER

EMERGENCY CALL FOR ACTION TO DEAN ROBERT I GROSSMAN OF NYU MEDICAL CENTER

1. 

  A urgent crisis has occurred at NYU MEDICAL CENTER regarding visits by professional volunteers and their ability to serve and offer basic social service needs care to  patients and   their families.In a apparent and sudden change of policy the NYU Hospital administration and with out notification to the highly professional volunteer Organization enacted policies  that seriously impair the urgent services the volunteer org provides to patients and their families For the past few decades the Satmar Bikur Cholim led by the late Mrs Miriyam Lubling has serviced the patients of NYU MEDICAL CENTER with the highest level of professionlisim.All the volunteers are highly trained and certified to provide  patients with support and attending to the families emotional and personal needs.

The food commissary run by the Bikur Cholim is certified by

NY State and NYC Dept of Health and is built with the highest quality to meet the strictest of hygiene and cleanliness, standards. Satmar Ladies Bikur Cholim founded  before WWll and brought over with the refugees to USA has been servicing the sick and needy in NYC ever since its inception. From Medical referrals to respected institutions and Physicians the tireless volunteers of Satmar Ladies Bikur Cholim do not sleep! They deliver food daily by family’s request to hospitals where there is need! They cover a void the hospital cannot cover because of culture and special requests

 However the situation has now Reached a crisis point where a total disregard for any cooperation and total disregard for a long relationship between the Bikur Cholim and NYU has been broken placing families and patients in danger.This action taken by NYU came without any communications and discussion with the Bikur cholim
       THIS IS TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE 
A 950-member group called the Rabbinical Alliance of America wrote a letter to NYU-Langone’s leadership requesting that it find a way to allow Satmar Bikur Cholim to continue its work. It has received no response, said Mark Meyer Appel Chairman of C.A.S.P the advocacy group of The Rabbinical Alliance of America. We ask the respected Dean Grossman of NYU hospital to speak to Dr Andrew Brotman and see why he is disrespecting 70+ years of the tradition of giving! and why he is disrespecting NYU patients that are asking for their special requests to be covered! Please allow the Bikur Cholim to continue their mission !This action taken by NYU came without any communications and discussion with the Bikur Cholim       THIS IS TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE 

PLEASE CONTACT DEAN ROBERT I GROSSMAN
OF NYU TO VOICE OUR OUTRAGE

DEAN ROBERT I GROSSMAN   EMAIL IS 

ROBERT.GROSSMAN@NYUMC.ORG

FOR FURTHER INFO CALL THE OFFICES OF BIKUR CHOLIM AT 718 387 7749

EMERGENCY CALL FOR ACTION TO DEAN ROBERT I GROSSMAN OF NYU MEDICAL CENTER

  A urgent crisis has occurred at NYU MEDICAL CENTER regarding visits by professional volunteers and their ability to serve and offer basic social service needs care to  patients and   their families.In a apparent and sudden change of policy the NYU Hospital administration and with out notification to the highly professional volunteer Organization enacted policies  that seriously impair the urgent services the volunteer org provides to patients and their families For the past few decades the Satmar Bikur Cholim led by the late Mrs Miriyam Lubling has serviced the patients of NYU MEDICAL CENTER with the highest level of professionlisim.All the volunteers are highly trained and certified to provide  patients with support and attending to the families emotional and personal needs.

The food commissary run by the Bikur Cholim is certified by

NY State and NYC Dept of Health and is built with the highest quality to meet the strictest of hygiene and cleanliness, standards. Satmar Ladies Bikur Cholim founded  before WWll and brought over with the refugees to USA has been servicing the sick and needy in NYC ever since its inception. From Medical referrals to respected institutions and Physicians the tireless volunteers of Satmar Ladies Bikur Cholim do not sleep! They deliver food daily by family’s request to hospitals where there is need! They cover a void the hospital cannot cover because of culture and special requests

 However the situation has now Reached a crisis point where a total disregard for any cooperation and total disregard for a long relationship between the Bikur Cholim and NYU has been broken placing families and patients in danger.This action taken by NYU came without any communications and discussion with the Bikur cholim
       THIS IS TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE  We ask the respected Dean Grossman of NYU hospital to speak to Dr Andrew Brotman and see why he is disrespecting 70+ years of the tradition of giving! and why he is disrespecting NYU patients that are asking for their special requests to be covered! Please allow the Bikur Cholim to continue their mission !This action taken by NYU came without any communications and discussion with the Bikur Cholim       THIS IS TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE 

PLEASE CONTACT DEAN ROBERT I GROSSMAN
OF NYU TO VOICE OUR OUTRAGE

DEAN ROBERT I GROSSMAN   EMAIL IS 

ROBERT.GROSSMAN@NYUMC.ORG

FOR FURTHER INFO CALL THE OFFICES OF BIKUR CHOLIM AT 718 387 7749