The New York City Council voted today to rename a section of President Street, located between Brooklyn and New York Avenues in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn, as “Lubavitcher Rebbe Way.”

“Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was the seventh leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and one of the most transformative figures in modern Jewish history,” remarked Democratic Council Member Crystal Hudson, who was responsible for introducing the legislation.

The stretch of President Street being renamed includes the address 1304 President Street, the former residence of the Rebbe and his Rebbetzin, Chaya Mushka Schneerson.

“After fleeing the horrors of the Holocaust and arriving in the United States in 1941, the Rebbe’s leadership extended Chabad-Lubavitch’s global reach, creating numerous institutions: preschools, educational establishments, drug rehabilitation programs, care facilities, and houses of worship,” said Hudson.

Hudson, 41, noted that the Rebbe’s unique ability to connect with individuals through genuine warmth and heartfelt dialogue, regardless of their background or social standing, was a hallmark of his leadership.

Although she grew up in nearby Prospect Heights, Hudson herself did not have the opportunity to meet the Rebbe. To illustrate her admiration for the Rebbe, Hudson recounted a memorable anecdote that she felt epitomized his enduring legacy and captured the essence of Brooklyn’s spirit. She shared: “In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. Initially assigned to the Agriculture Committee in an apparent attempt to limit her influence, Chisholm felt frustrated. After all, she thought, what does a Brooklynite know about agriculture?

“At that critical juncture, the Rebbe reached out to meet with her. Listening to her frustrations, the Rebbe identified an opportunity hidden in the setback and encouraged her to use her position to address America’s food surplus to help those in need. This conversation inspired Shirley Chisholm to spearhead legislation that laid the foundation for the federal food stamp program, which continues to benefit millions of Americans today.

“It is stories like this that remind us of the Rebbe’s extraordinary capacity to motivate others, build connections, and find possibilities for good in the face of adversity.”

Representing Brooklyn’s 35th City Council District, which encompasses parts of central Brooklyn, Hudson expressed her pride in her constituency’s deep ties to Chabad. “I am proud to represent a district that houses the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch headquarters and now pays tribute to the Rebbe’s legacy with ‘Lubavitcher Rebbe Way,’” she stated.

Rabbi Yaacov Behrman, a Crown Heights community leader who collaborated with Hudson on this initiative, was invited to deliver the invocation at the council meeting. His prayer highlighted themes central to the Rebbe’s philosophy.

“Master of the Universe, who created the world with boundless blessings, empower us to see and embrace all that is good and beautiful in New York City. Bless us to honor the dignity of difference in this global city of remarkable diversity,” he prayed.

Rabbi Behrman’s remarks encapsulated the significance of the street renaming, emphasizing themes of courage, cooperation, and compassionate leadership. He concluded by quoting the Rebbe: “We are one people, living in one city, under one administration, and under one G-d.”

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{Matzav.com}