The Bridge Project Led By Mark Appel Aid Puerto Rico Hurricane Victims

Monday, October 2, 2017

Brooklyn’s Diversified Communities Unite to Help Victims of Maria’s Wrath in Puerto Rico

"EMERGENCY RELIEF DRIVE"            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community ASSEMBLYPERSON HELENE WEINSTEIN AND EVENT CO-CHAIR JOUSE PIERRE Brooklyn’s Diversified Communities Unite to Help Victims of Maria’s Wrath in Puerto Rico By Posted on October 2, 2017 In an unprecedented display of unity,  The Bridge Multi-Cultural Project,   1894 Flatbush Avenue, sponsored an emergency relief drive to assist the beleaguered victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Sunday, October 1, 2017.  Over 200 people donated an abundance of food, clothing, shoes, non-perishable items, first aid kits, medical supplies,  feminine hygiene products  and much more during the five-hour donation drive. The  Bridge MCP emergency drive was given an imprimatur by  City Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, NYS Assembly members Helene E. Weinstein & Rodneyse Bichotte  as well as  City Council members  Jumaane D. Williams & Matthieu Eugene . Diversity on display as the Flatbush community pitched in to lend a hand to Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico. Co-sponsors of the drive reflected the true diversity that illuminates the neighborhoods in Brooklyn’s Flatbush district. Such prominent religious organizations as the Rabbinical Council of America (RAA) – the Igud HaRabbonim, the Interfaith Dialogue Project, the Haitian American Caucus, the Yemeni  American Association , the American Council of Minority Women, the New York Rescue & Response Team were among those groups that lent their sponsorship to the hurricane drive. In a voice reverberating  with palpable emotion,  Mark Meyer Appel , the founder and CEO of The Bridge Multi-Cultural project introduced the co-chairs of the emergency hurricane drive;  Brooklyn district leader Josue Pierre  and Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik.  Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, the executive vice chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim – an organization with well over 800 member rabbis representing communities all across the United States and Canada addressed the gathering. “The mission of all of us in our respective communities are to support each other in times of crisis. I am so proud that our community has unified and is working hard to support those victims who were adversely affected by this terrible tragedy,” declared Rabbi Mirocznik. Assemblymember Helene Weinstein, third from left, was among the many Flatbush lawmakers pitching in to help prepare care packages for the victims of Hurricane Maria. Contributed photo. Joining Rabbi Mirocznik was Rabbi Yaakov Klass , and other members of the presidium of Rabbinical Alliance of America. Speaking from a vantage point of his impressive experience as a community leader, Pierre told the assemblage how Brooklynites from all walks of life, always band together and unify in  times of desperate need. “Today, we join our Muslim, Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters in showing our love and deep concern for all those adversely affected by Maria’s unforgiving wrath by providing them with everything they will need to survive,” said Pierre. Mr. Abu Khaliquzzaman, an esteemed and highly respected leader of Brooklyn’s Muslim community, is the founder of the Interfaith Dialogue Project events. The humanitarian effort at The Bridge. Mr. Khaliquzzaman focused his remarks on the treasured legacy of Brooklynites always “stepping up to the plate” and showing compassion for the needy. “ Mr. Mark Appel offered plaudits to the  remarkable work done through the partnership with the  New York Rescue and Response Team to save lives in the aftermath of the string of hurricanes that wrought disaster to Florida and the Caribbean. Mr. Appel was quite generous with his words of high praise for  Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City’s  elected officials. He particularly took note of the fact with their rapid response to the devastation of these hurricanes

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The Bridge Multicultural & Advocacy Project | 1894 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn NY 11210 917.804.3942

WATCH YOU TUBE OF EVENT

UNITY IN ACTION - HOLIDAY PARTY 2016 AT THE BRIDGE MUTICULTURAL PROJECT

Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE BRIDGE MULTICULTRAL AND ADVOACY PROJECT "UNITY IN ACTION HOLIDAY CELEBRATION"2016

 Kings County Attorney Eric Gonzalez continued to make the rounds throughout Brooklyn last night in receivinga special unity award at the Bridge Multicultural Project’s annual Holiday party, 1894 Flatbush Av

In receiving the award, Gonzalez exhibited both a humility and toughness, showcasing that despite his lack of political acumen, why the

late District Attorney Kenneth Thompson named him as the interim DA just days before Thompson stepped down due to 

his cancer illness and died days later. Gonzalez also has the strong support of Lu-Shawn Thompson, his widow.Acting Kings County

 Attorney Eric Gonzalez continued to make the rounds throughout Brooklyn last night in receiving

 a special unity award at the Bridge Multicultural Project’s annual Holiday party, 1984 Flatbush Avenue.

In receiving the award, Gonzalez exhibited both a humility and toughness, showcasing that despite his lack of political acumen,

 why the late District Attorney Kenneth Thompson named him as the interim DA just days before Thompson stepped down due to his cancer illness and died days later. Gonzalez also has the strong support of Lu-Shawn Thompson, his widow.

HAPPY CHANUKAH FROM THE BRIDGE MULTICULTRAL PROJECT

https://youtu.be/jmN5mMdJJss?t=5

https://youtu.be/jmN5mMdJJss

Chanukah (Hanukkah), the Festival of Lights, begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, and lasts for eight days. On the secular calendar, Chanukah generally falls out in December

Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew and celebrates two miracles: In ancient Judea, the Maccabees, or leaders of a rebel Jewish army, liberated a temple in Jerusalem from Greek invaders after waging a three-year war and their victory is considered to be the first miracle. The second miracle occurred in the temple itself, where the Maccabees found a small amount of olive oil to fuel the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. There was only enough oil to light the menorah for one day, and it would take eight days to produce new oil. The Maccabees lit the menorah, however, and found that the oil burned for eight days.
                 

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What Is The Significance Of The Menorah Today? 

The candelabrum holds oil or candles, and Jews light one branch of the menorah on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The ninth flame, which is the flame in the middle,  is called the Shamash and is used to light the other flames.

How Else Do Jews Celebrate The Holiday Around The World?

There are several traditions associated with the festival, including the giving of "gelt" or monetary gifts to children. Children also play with dreidels during the holiday. Foods associated with Hanukkah include several items fried in oil, like donuts and latkes.

https://youtu.be/jmN5mMdJJss

THE BRIDGE MISSION TO ALBANY LOBBY DAY FIGHTING FOR SCHOOL TUITION TAX CREDITS AND PASSAGE OF "THE CHILD VICTIM ACT"

APRIL 22.2015

Dozens of volunteers from the Bridge Multicultural Project joined hundreds of advocates on lobby day in Albany on April 22, 2015. Joining the advocates were various elected representatives, which included Assemblypersons,Margaret Markey, Rodneyse Bichotte, Helene Weinstein, Stephen Cymbowitz, Dov Hikind,Joseph Lentol and State Senators Brad Hoylman, and Kevin Parker.  Our mission in Albany was to promote tax credit initiatives to private and parochial schools.  These schools educate over 2 million children in New York City alone and are facing a deepening crisis with the steady increase of tuition. A tax credit would greatly help the parents of these students by bringing fairness and financial relief due to the increasing cost of education.

During the past six years, we have strongly advocated for “The Child Victims Act” (A2872), which would increase the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse.  We stand shoulder to shoulder with Assemblywoman Markey, who is leading the fight in New York State to increase the statute of limitations.  We also welcomed State Senator Brad Hoylman, who is the prime sponsor of THE CHILD VICTIMS ACT in the New York State Senate.

We were joined by USA Speed skating champion Bridie Farrell, Kevin Thomas Mullhearn Esq, who has recently represented victims from Yeshiva University, Prevent Child Abuse New York, Catholics Coalition of Conscious Faithful NY, Dignity/NY, Horace Mann Action Coalition, and our own Mark Meyer Appel Founder  of The Voice of Justice, as well as two brave survivors, Vanessa DeRosa, and Tino Flores.

Mark Meyer Appel founder of THE BRIDGE in his remarks at the press conference, equated the problem of child abuse with victims of terror all over the world.  “New York State has the weakest laws in the United States in the area of Child Abuse.”  “2015,” proclaimed Appel, “is our year and we must continue to fight for the passage of this historic bill, introduced by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey.” 

ANYA SHIPILOVSKAY,IZZY KUPPFERSTEIN,DAVID SPIR,,ARON GRUNSTEIN,DORINDA BAGWELL-ANGELLUCCI,,ASSEMBLYWOMAN HELENE WEINSTEIN,MARK MEYER APPEL,ASSEMBLYWOMAN RODYNESE BICHOTTE.BILL TINGLING

Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, escorted the Bridge volunteers into the New York State Assembly Chamber, where we were warmly received and acknowledged by the entire New York State Assembly.

New York State currently ranks among the very worst of all states in America in how it deals with victims of child sexual abuse crimes, right at the bottom of all 50 states along with Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Indiana, according to a survey by the Cardozo Law School. Under current law victims in New York must come forward to bring criminal or civil charges within five years of their 18^th birthday or lose the opportunity to ever bring charges against their abuser. Many other states either have no or extended statute of limitations, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Delaware and Connecticut.