REMARKS
Council Member Crystal Hudson honors Lubavitcher Rebbe with street co-naming
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Council Member Crystal Hudson introduces the invocation by Rabbi Yaakov Behrman and explains the significance of renaming a street as Lubavitcher Rebbe Way. She highlights the impact of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, on modern Jewish history and his emphasis on acts of kindness.
- Hudson shares a story about the Rebbe's influence on Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to U.S. Congress, which led to the creation of the federal food stamp program.
- The council member expresses pride in representing a district that includes the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch headquarters.
- The remarks conclude with gratitude towards Rabbi Yaakov Berman for his role in making the street co-naming a reality.
Crystal Hudson
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Thank you, majority leader Farias.
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I'm honored to welcome rabbi Yaakov Bierman to council chambers today.
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I move for unanimous consent to spread the invitation in full upon the record.
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I invited Rabbi Behrman to deliver today's invocation in commemoration of the street codename we're approving today to rename President Street between Brooklyn and New York Avenues as Lubavitcher Rebbe Way.
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Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was the 7th leader of the Chabad Lubavitch movement and one of the most transformative figures in modern Jewish history.
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After escaping the Holocaust and arriving in the United States in 1941, the Rebbe's leadership expanded Chabad Lubavitch's global reach, establishing countless institutions, kindergarten schools, drug rehabilitation centers, care homes, and synagogues.
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Central to the Rebbe's teachings was an unwavering emphasis on acts of goodness and kindness.
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His ability to meet people where they were, engaging them with warmth and heartfelt communication regardless of their background or status, set him apart.
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Here's a story about the rebbe that I hold dear, one that embodies not only his enduring legacy, but also the very spirit of Brooklyn.
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In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the 1st black woman elected to United States Congress.
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She was assigned to the agriculture committee, an assignment intended to sideline her influence.
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Chisholm was disheartened.
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Besides, what does someone from Brooklyn know about agriculture?
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At this moment, the rebbe reached out to meet with her.
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Chisholm shared her frustrations and her desire to serve her communities underserved.
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The Rebbe, seeing an opportunity where others saw a setback, encouraged her to use the committee to address America's surplus of food while feeding the hungry.
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Inspired by this conversation, Shirley Chisholm championed legislation that led to the federal food stamp program, an initiative that continues to feed millions of Americans to this day.
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It is stories like this that remind us of the Rebbe's profound ability to inspire action, build bridges, and help others see the potential for good in every challenge.
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I'm proud to represent a district that is home to the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch headquarters and is now home to Lubavitch Rebbe Way.
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Thank you, Rabbi Yaakov Berman, for your guidance, advocacy, and assistance in making this honor a reality.