A local activist known for his efforts to promote understanding between different cultures was in the spotlight at Community Board 10’s May meeting.
Dr. Ahmad Jaber, the president of the Arab American Association of New York, was given the board’s Honor of the Pledge during the general meeting held at the Norwegian Christian Home, 1250 67th Street.
Dean Rasinya, CB 10’s chairperson, praised Jaber for his work to help “Empower the Arab immigrant community by providing services that will help them adjust to their new homeland as well as become active members of their American society.
“Their aim is for families to achieve the ultimate goals of independence, productivity and family stability,” Rasinya added.
Jaber, for his part, noted that, when he came to the United States, “It wasn’t my intention to be an activist and leader of the community. However, with time, I found myself in a community new to the culture and new to the environment, and I had to become more involved and active for that reason.”
His level of involvement increased, Jaber went on, after 9⁄11, when, with other leaders, he had founded the Arab American Association. “We found strength through forging an alliance with other neighbors and community leaders and organizations… reaching out from the mosques to the churches and the synagogues.”
Jaber has lived and worked in Bay Ridge for more than three decades.
