City Council Member Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11), a Democrat who represents much of the northwest Bronx, spent the morning of March 4  reading to children at the Hostos Children’s Center at Hostos Community College in Mott Haven, and later attending the College’s newly opened anti-hate photo exhibit series at Hostos Research Center.

 

Dinowitz began the day by reading two books written by author Eric Carle, “A Very Hungry Caterpillar,” and “Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too?” Both books were read to children under the age of 5. The kids, in return, sang the nursery rhyme, “Five Little Monkeys” in unison.

 

“Thank you so much for allowing me to read to you today and thank you so much for singing that special song to me,” the councilman later said to the children. He then proceeded to the reception at Hostos Research Center to mark the opening of the anti-hate photo exhibit series, the first installment of which is entitled “Jewish Identity/Jewish Diversity,” and features the work of photographer Zion Ozeri.

 

Ozeri who was born in Israel to Yemeni immigrants and frequently partners with NYC Department of Education (DOE) on similar projects. He said he wanted to show that Jewish people are diverse. “You can see it all around, and I really tried my best to really show it,” Ozeri said.

The photo exhibition series is on display at the College, located at 450 Grand Concourse, as part of a multi-year, CUNY, Anti-Hate Initiative, which aims to educate the CUNY community about diverse groups’ identities and experiences. This year focuses on those of the Jewish and Asian community, the Asian American community, and Pacific Islanders. Next year, the initiative will spotlight the Black/African American community and Hispanic/Latinx community, followed by the Muslim community and LGBTQIA+ groups in the third year.

 

Later, fellow Democrats, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), who also represent parts of The Bronx, would commend the efforts of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for updating the standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting federal data on race and ethnicity, announced recently in the context of census data standards.

The congressmen acknowledged, however, what they said was a notable absence of specific signaling to Afro-Latinos which they said was critical to ensuring their accurate representation. They said it was important to encourage a selection of multiple categories for Afro-Latinos as the changing racial and ethnic composition of the 2020 Census reporting highlighted a significant shift in changing demographics of the nation.

 

Back at Hostos, this year’s photo exhibit aims to celebrate the diversity of the Jewish identity. It includes photos of families, celebrations, and practices across generations and the globe, and comes at a time when the war between Israel and Gaza has been at the forefront of political discussions across the world.

 

“Hostos proudly supports and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of our students and the abundance of communities they represent,” said Hostos President Cocco De Filippis. “All are welcome at Hostos. It was true when the College was founded over 50 years ago, and it is true today.”

 

A poem was later read by Orlando Soto,vice president and chair of the senate for the student government at Hostos. Entitled “Can Any Beauty Match This?” it was written by “Hafiz.” Soto read the poem aloud in both Spanish and English.

 

Can Any Beauty Match This?

When the sun within speaks, when love

reaches out its hand and places it upon

another,

any power the stars and planets might

have upon us,

any fears you can muster can become so

rightfully insignificant.

What one heart can do for another heart,

is there any beauty in the world that can

match this?

During his speech at the reception, the councilman touched upon some of the core values that he said were instilled in him during his upbringing in the Jewish community, values, he said, which included joy, inclusivity, community, and diversity.

 

“This exhibit, in particular, I was very excited to see,” the councilman said. “It’s no secret that right now, in the world, it’s a very tough time for a lot of people. I’m a Jewish man and I can say this is a very tough time for the Jewish community.”

 

He continued, “Walking into this room and to see these beautiful photographs of those values, and of the inclusivity and diversity around the world, was really uplifting and I think speaks to the values of Hostos and the values in Judaism that we share, which is education, which is bringing people through education.”

 

Dinowitz, a former teacher who is chair of the City Council’s committee on higher education, said, “These photos really highlight what it means to me to be Jewish.” He went on to talk about seniors and said he recently led the passage of a bill aimed at enhancing security for older adults.

Referring to Hostos and Mott Haven generally, Dinowitz concluded, “I love it here and I feel so welcome here because this is not even my district. I don’t love leaving my district but this place is very special for the work they do for the community.”

 

The exhibit is showing at Hostos Research Center through May 2 and organizers said it is made possible through the generous support of Hostos Community College, the CUNY Anti-Hate Initiative, and The Covenant Foundation.