Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries

Visits JCCGCI Headquarters 

Hon. Hakeem Jeffries represents the diverse Eighth Congressional District of New York, an area that encompasses large parts of Brooklyn and a section of Queens. Serving his fifth term in the United States Congress, Rep. Jeffries is Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, having been elected to that position by his colleagues in November 2018. He is also the former Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus and previously co-chaired the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee where he helped develop the For The People agenda. Rep. Jeffries is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and House Budget Committee.

Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island was proud to welcome Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to its headquarters on West 37th Street in Coney Island. Rep. Jeffries, whose district includes much of the Southern Brooklyn coastline, visited JCCGCI and met with Rabbi Moshe Wiener, executive director, and several program directors.

Rep. Jeffries spoke with Rivkah Berman, director of JCCGCI's citywide Adult Literacy Program, which has had a presence in over 40 low-income immigrant communities in all five boroughs. The program offers classes to English language learners in multiple diverse ethnic communities, such as the Liberian community in Staten Island, the Mexican community, the Afghan community, the Bukharian community in Queens, the Polish community, the Hispanic community, the Russian-speaking community, and many others. 

Staff of the JCCGCI Senior Citizen Transportation Program participated in the visit, and briefed Rep. Jeffries about the ongoing expansion of their program, which provides critical medical and essential non-medical access services to more than 6,000 older adults throughout Brooklyn annually, exceeding 130,000 trips each year, with an average of 500+ daily trips. This service ensures that they have the ability to travel to and from medical appointments, to senior centers, on group trips, and other essential visits. 

JCCGCI's Holocaust Survivor Director of Client Services, Aliza Kelman, LMSW, also spoke with Rep. Jeffries, offering an overarching perspective on JCCGCI's Holocaust Survivor Supports Systems. These services include homecare, homebound visitation, meals, transportation, case management, and socialization. Across all programs, more than 3,000 survivors of the Holocaust are assisted each year.

A highly emotional moment during Rep. Jeffries' visit was when he addressed a college preparation class that was being held at JCCGCI, through the JCCGCI Horizons Academy college and career preparation program, based at Abraham Lincoln High School in Coney Island. Joined by Rabbi Moshe Wiener and program director Marissa Sperling, Rep. Jeffries offered heartfelt words of encouragement and support to the students, which, no doubt, the students will remember for the rest of their lives. Horizons Academy offers high school students (who are at high-risk of dropout) with one-on-one counseling, homework tutoring, SAT preparation, financial literacy training, spring internships and paid summer employment. Since 2013, Horizons Academy participants have achieved an astounding 100% graduation rate, due in large part to the dedication and expertise of the JCCGCI staffs and the quality supportive counseling and services they are provided by our Horizons Academy program. 

The participants at Coney Island Seaside Older Adult Center, located at JCCGCI headquarters, one of the eight Older Adult Centers operated by JCCGCI, were delighted to welcome Rep. Jeffries. JCCGCI's Supervising Older Adult Center Director Grace Brandi offered a tour of the extensive facilities. The center offers an impressive array of healthy aging services, including dance and aerobics classes, art activities, computer courses, trips, health services, multicultural events, case management, mental health services, and music classes.

Shortly after the visit, Rep. Jeffries shared a post on his Instagram account with photos, saying, "Had a great time visiting the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island earlier today."