In celebration of Black History Month and to commemorate the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the State of Israel, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) and the Jewish National Fund (JNF) honored Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams with the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Award.
Counsel Gen. of Israel in New York Amb. Ido Aharoni, Barclays Center Majority Owner Bruce Ratner, chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center Brett Yormark, executive vice president of JNF Russell Robinson and managing director of JCRC-NY Hindy Poupko presented Adams with the award at center court in the Barclays Center before the Brooklyn Nets’ home game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I am honored to join the illustrious group of leaders and activists that have received the prestigious Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the State of Israel,” Adams said.
“As the first African-American to have the honor to serve as Brooklyn Borough President, I stand on the shoulders of giants like Dr. King and the trailblazers of the civil rights movement,” he added.
“My public service is committed to furthering his legacy, advancing the welfare of every member of our human race,” he continued. “I thank Amb. Aharoni, along with my friends at the JCRB-NY and JNF for this recognition that underscores my bond with Israel and with the Jewish people of Brooklyn and beyond.”
Since 1991, the Consulate General of Israel in New York, together with JCRC-NY and JNF, have annually paid tribute to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream of peaceful co-existence between people of diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, according to the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President.
It said the State of Israel has embraced the legacy of Dr. King, “for it mirrors the values of hope and peace to which all can relate. Dr. King was a great friend to Israel and the Jewish people and was active in the battle against anti-Semitism.”
The tribute honors those individuals who embody the spirit and ideals of Dr. King in their efforts to promote diversity and tolerance, the statement said.
“I am proud to continue this long-standing tradition with JCRC and JNF, and present our annual MLK Award on behalf of the State of Israel, to Brooklyn Borough President, Eric L. Adams,” Amb. Aharoni said.
“BP Adams has dedicated his work to building bridges between peoples of all walks of life, upholding the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The people of Israel take pride in being the only nation outside of the United States to acknowledge Martin Luther King Day, and value our shared mission to fight against hatred and racism,” he added.
“For over two decades we have had the privilege of recognizing leaders whose lives and work embody the spirit of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Rabbi Michael S. Miller. “Our honoree this year, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, truly exemplifies Rev. King’s values and is a most worthy recipient of this accolade.”
“JNF maintains a long, proud history and association with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said JNF President Jeffrey E. Levine. “While he is not here with us to reach the mountaintop, Dr. King’s spirit lives on in the work we perform each day to fulfill his dream of bettering the human condition and pursuing social justice for all.”
