Yaacov Behrman

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Yaacov Behrman is an American rabbi, the Director of Operation Survival, a project of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (N.C.F.J.E),[1] and a liaison for Chabad Headquarters.[2] Behrman is also the founder of the Jewish Future Alliance,[3] and a member of Community Board 9.[4] In 2021, Mayor Eric Adams named Behrman to his mayoral transition team, and in 2023, to the mayor's Jewish advisory committee.[5][6]

Education[edit]

Behrman was ordained by the former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, and Rabbi Zelig Sharfstein, Chief Rabbi of the Vaad Ho'ir of Cincinnati. He earned his M.A. degree in Educational Leadership from Bellevue University,[7] and is a New York State Certified Prevention Professional and Gambling Specialty Designation.[8]

Activism[edit]

Behrman is a social activist who has advanced race relations in New York.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] He served on De Blasio's multi-ethnic interfaith Neighborhood Safety Coalition,[16] and is a member of the Kings County Democratic County Committee since 2018. In April 2022, Rabbi Behrman and the Jewish Future Alliance co-sponsored the first Glatt Kosher Iftar Meal in Crown Heights. The event advanced Muslim-Jewish relations, and created further dialogue between Chassidic Jews in Brooklyn, and their Muslim neighbors.[17][18]

Behrman has served on Community Board 9 since 2015. He is the former Chair of CB9's Public Safety Committee, and Environmental Protection Committee.[19][20] He is also a ULURP Committee member and former Education Committee member.

Behrman is considered a political moderate,[21] and is in regular contact with New York and national politicians regarding issues that effect the Jewish community.[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] In 2021, Behrman put together a coalition of Jewish activists from the Crown Heights Jewish community, which gave New York City Mayor Eric Adams his first Orthodox Jewish community endorsement from Chassidic activists.[30][31][32] This coalition was active in bringing out 4500 votes for Adams,[33] and approximately 2500 votes for city council candidate Crystal Hudson.[34][35] These voters likely provided the margin of victory for Crystal Hudson over socialist candidate Michael Hollingsworth.[34][36][37]

Operation Survival[edit]

Operation Survival is a drug prevention program that provides evidence-based programming in local yeshivas and public schools and, in addition, provides classes and seminars for parents in drug prevention and mental health.[38][39] Operation Survival played a leading role in educating the community on the opioid epidemic.[40][41] NCFJE was the first Jewish organization in New York State to launch an overdose prevention Naloxone training program.[42] In recognition for Operation Survival's efforts to fight the Opioid Epidemic, Behrman was invited by New York Attorney General Letitia James, in October 2021, to stand with her as she began her statewide 'HealNY' tour to combat the opioid epidemic.[43] The organization has been credited with working to bring the racially diverse community of Crown Heights together in common cause.[44]

Chabad[edit]

Behrman is a director of media relations at Lubavitch International, the official news service of the Chabad movement, and a public relations liaison for Chabad Headquarters. He works with a global network of Chabad representatives, and occasionally acts as a Chabad spokesperson.[45][46][47][48] He has also helped coordinate Chabad's response during times of crises. On the first anniversary of the Mumbai attacks, Chabad sent Behrman to Mumbai to help organize the memorial.[49]

As a rabbinical student, Behrman, on behalf of Chabad of Central Africa, traveled to many countries in Africa  --  including Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Equatorial Guinea -- to lead High Holiday and Passover services, and help with community development.[50][51] Many of these countries now have permanent Chabad centers. In 2011, as part of the official Chabad delegation, Behrman visited Kinshasa, in the Congo, to celebrate 20 years of Chabad's presence in Central Africa.[52]

Awards[edit]

In 2014, Behrman was named by the Jewish Week as one of "36 Under 36" for his activism, and for working to improve relations between the Jewish and African American communities in Crown Heights,[53] and NCFJE honored Behrman at their 83rd Gala Dinner in 2023.[54]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Heroin has infiltrated the Hasidic community". New York Post. 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  2. ^ Julian, Hana Levi (5 December 2021). "Brooklyn Jewish Leaders Named to NYC Mayor-elect Eric Adams' Transition Team". Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  3. ^ Winsor, Morgan (2013-11-23). "Police keep close eye on reports of disturbing 'knockout' game". CNN. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  4. ^ "Public Safety – Brooklyn CB 9". cbbrooklyn.cityofnewyork.us. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  5. ^ "Orthodox Jews aiding NY Mayor-elect Eric Adams' transition to office". The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  6. ^ Sales, Ben. "NYC Jews hoping new mayor will reach out beyond Brooklyn's Orthodox community". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  7. ^ Algemeiner, The. "Yaacov Behrman". Algemeiner.com. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  8. ^ "Credential Verification Results". webapps.oasas.ny.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  9. ^ "Crown Heights comes together at annual Sean Price mural memorial". Brooklyn Eagle. 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  10. ^ Dreyfus, Hannah (2019-08-02). "How the Fate of a Rapper's Mural Lit a Fuse in Crown Heights". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  11. ^ "Dispatch from Crown Heights: Two Universes, One Neighborhood". Moment Magazine. 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  12. ^ Blau, Reuven (2020-01-13). "Amid Hate Spike, A Crown Heights Leader Pleads: 'We Have to Do Better'". THE CITY. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  13. ^ Forward, John Kunza/The (5 June 2020). "How New York's Haredim are responding to George Floyd protests". The Forward. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  14. ^ Levin, Chaim (14 June 2017). "Linda Sarsour's Brother Works In A Glatt Kosher Restaurant In Brooklyn". jewishweek.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  15. ^ "Attacks Against Jews in Crown Heights Stir Old Fears and New Dialogue | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  16. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Launches New Crime Prevention Efforts to Combat Hate and Anti-Semitism". The official website of the City of New York. 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  17. ^ "The Muslim Iftar Meal in Crown Heights Was Glatt Kosher". COLlive. 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  18. ^ "NY Jews, Muslims gather for Ramadan dinner in Brooklyn mosque". The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  19. ^ "Credit Where Credit is Due". COLlive. 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  20. ^ "City Agrees to Change Kingston Ave. Parking Rules". CrownHeights.info - Chabad News, Crown Heights News, Lubavitch News. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  21. ^ "Jewish Americans Say They Are Scapegoated For The Coronavirus Spread". NPR.org. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  22. ^ "GOP Hopeful Meets Brooklyn Jews". COLlive. 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  23. ^ "Tish James Hosts Jewish Activists". COLlive. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  24. ^ "Thompson Touts Chabad 'Roots'". COLlive. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  25. ^ "Senator Myrie Meets Crown Heights Jews". NY State Senate. 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  26. ^ Dreyfus, Hannah (2019-08-02). "How the Fate of a Rapper's Mural Lit a Fuse in Crown Heights". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  27. ^ "Video: Activist Marches Alongside Public Advocate". CrownHeights.info - Chabad News, Crown Heights News, Lubavitch News. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  28. ^ Scarr, Cindy (2020-07-01). "Judgment, Timing, and Luck". Mishpacha Magazine. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  29. ^ "Exit de Blasio, Stage Left - Hamodia.com". Hamodia. 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  30. ^ "Adams Gets Endorsement of Crown Heights Jewish Activists - Hamodia.com". Hamodia. 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  31. ^ Julian, Hana Levi (5 December 2021). "Brooklyn Jewish Leaders Named to NYC Mayor-elect Eric Adams' Transition Team". Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  32. ^ "Eric Adams has deep ties to Brooklyn's Orthodox Jews. Will he reach beyond them as mayor?". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2022-01-07. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  33. ^ Editor, Yeshiva World (2021-06-25). "YWN EXCLUSIVE: REAL Winners & Losers of the Recent NYC Elections". The Yeshiva World. Retrieved 2021-12-22. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  34. ^ a b "Real Estate's Big Win in the New York City Council Races". The Real Deal New York. 2021-07-07. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  35. ^ Behrman, Rabbi Yaacov. "When Jewish Votes Don't Count". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  36. ^ "Crown Heights' Pick Declared NYC Council Primary Winner". COLlive. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  37. ^ "As The Democratic Primary Numbers Finalize, Socialist Candidate Michael Hollingsworth Concedes Defeat". CrownHeights.info - Chabad News, Crown Heights News, Lubavitch News. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  38. ^ Morris, C. Zawadi (2018-05-22). "At Crown Heights Town Hall, Neighbors Unite to Combat Opioid Crisis in Brooklyn". BK Reader. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  39. ^ "COLlive & NCFJE Launch Second Mental Health Series". COLlive. 2021-04-08. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  40. ^ "In Fight Against Opioids in Hasidic Crown Heights, 'Nobody's Immune'". DNAinfo New York. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  41. ^ "Fighting opioid addiction and stigma in Orthodox Jewish communities". FOX 5 New York. 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  42. ^ "Jewish groups putting up a fight against growing opioid epidemic". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2016-06-28. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  43. ^ "New York City Leaders Voice Support for Attorney General James' 'HealNY' Statewide Tour, Delivering Funds to Combat Opioid Crisis". ag.ny.gov. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  44. ^ Morris, C. Zawadi (2018-05-22). "At Crown Heights Town Hall, Neighbors Unite to Combat Opioid Crisis in Brooklyn". BK Reader. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  45. ^ Forward, John Kunza/The (5 June 2020). "How New York's Haredim are responding to George Floyd protests". The Forward. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  46. ^ "Congo Thanks Chabad for 20 Years of Friendship to Africa". Haaretz. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  47. ^ "Three arrested outside synagogue after violating coronavirus social distancing". New York Post. 2020-04-19. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  48. ^ "Ultra-Orthodox Jewish 'Facebook' separates the sexes". Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  49. ^ "Nariman (Chabad) House To Open For Memorial". Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters. 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  50. ^ "From Ethiopia to Estonia, From Pulpit to Potatoes, Chabad Students Toil for the Seder". Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters. 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  51. ^ "Chabad Rabbinical Students Remember Israeli Professor Killed In Adis Ababa". Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters. 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  52. ^ "Congo Thanks Chabad for 20 Years of Friendship to Africa". Haaretz. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  53. ^ Baum, Shoshana (6 June 2014). "Standing Strong, Building Bridges: Yaacov Behrman". jewishweek.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  54. ^ Editor, COLlive (2023-11-23). "NCFJE Honors Crown Heights Activists at 83rd Gala Dinner". COLlive. Retrieved 2023-12-21. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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