News Archives
AAANY Rallies Arabs Around Census 2010
The Arab American Association of New York, partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau and the New York Foundation, has been making strides to spread the word about the importance of the 2010 Census to the Arab-American community of New York City. For example, in the past month alone, AAANY staff and volunteers have distributed bilingual flyers stressing the benefits of filling out Census forms to over 2500 community members, all while building the public's trust in the process through numerous workshops and questionnaire assistance with the help of local Census employees.
Census 2010 is of vital importance to all Americans, especially those living in immigrant communities or areas which lack adequate government services. Census data determines how more than $400 billion in federal funding is distributed, for everything from roads and schools to hospitals and child care facilities. It also determines how many lawmakers each state will have in the House of Representatives.
Moreover, all immigrants - including Arab-Americans - have the chance to be counted for who they are! If you want to be counted properly, it is as simple as this:
1. Check "Some Other Race" on the race question, if your group is not listed.
2. In the box under "Some Other Race," write your preferred race (i.e., "Arab," "Arab American,") or even your country of origin.
3. Mail back the form!
Anyone needing assistance with the Census is encouraged to call or visit the Arab American Association of New York, which is an official Census 2010 Questionnaire Assistance Center. Please call us at (718) 745-3523 if you have any questions or concerns!
A Survey for Muslim Physicians
The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding is conducting a study concerning the civic engagement of Muslim physicians in the United States. Below is a summary and a link to a survey - please read on if you are interested!
A Letter from ISPU:
We are inviting you to participate in the first national study of Muslim Physicians in America with the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). This study aims to understand the civic involvement and contributions of Muslim physicians in the United States. We strongly urge all Muslim physicians to fill out and complete the entire survey, which can be accessed via the link below. We also strongly encourage that those who know Muslim physicians or Muslim physician organizations to please contact them and help spread the word. This study’s results will be able to foster a greater understanding of the contributions of Muslim physicians among the general public, fellow physicians, and policy makers, but only with the participation of as many volunteers as possible. Thank you very much for your time and cooperation.
http://tinyurl.com/MUSLIM-DOCTORS-II
Tricia Moscato
tricia.moscato@gmail.com
Arab-Americans Join 100,000+ in Historic March for Immigration Reform
On Sunday, March 21st, the Arab American Association of New York organized dozens of Brooklyn Arabs on buses to participate in the March for America in Washington, D.C., an historic immigration reform rally held on the National Mall. Dozens of Arab-Americans and other community members from New York joined over one hundred thousand people marching for immigration reform, civil rights, and dignity and respect for all human beings living in the United States, immigrant or native born. AAANY recognizes the importance of an Arab-American presence in this massive march because of the impact immigration legislation has on our community, and the importance of giving Arab-Americans the chance to speak out against unfair deportations and investigations and in support of a pathway to citizenship for undocumented citizens and the reunification of families.
Arab-Americans united with communities from every background to send a strong message to lawmakers that comprehensive immigration law must become a priority in order to safeguard the civil and human rights of all people living in America. This march was just one step in the long walk to true and fair immigration reform, but served as a powerful and unified voice directed at congressional lawmakers and the Obama administration calling for an end to unfair policies which undermine the very fabric of the United States. Thank you to all who helped make this march a memorable one, including the New York Immigration Coalition, and to our staff, volunteers and community members.
Photographs Courtesy of Robert Nickelsberg.
Annual Arab World Mothers' Day Celebration is a Hit!
Upholding its annual tradition of celebrating Arab World Mother’s Day, on Friday, March 19, AAANY hosted a lively Mother’s Day party at our offices in Bay Ridge. Over 30 local mothers gathered in our downstairs greeting area for a delicious meal and the chance to socialize and relax while AAANY staff entertained their children. AAANY President Dr. Ahmad Jaber presented each mother with a flower in recognition of the selfless contribution all mothers make both to their families and the community.
While the mothers chatted and ate, their children enjoyed a pizza party and a special surprise: author and comic Stephen McNamee read from his new children’s novel, The Ostrich: A Tale of Flightless Adventure. The author encouraged kid participation in the reading, and in response to the children’s enthusiasm, he provided a signed copy of his book to each child who attended the event. After the reading, the children played party games and crafted special Mother’s Day cards and flower pots, which they presented to their tickled mothers at the end of the evening.
Please visit our photo gallery soon for pictures from the event!
AAANY Director Honored as one of Brooklyn's Extraordinary Women of 2010
Congratulations to AAANY Director Linda Sarsour, who was named one of 2010's Brooklyn's Extraordinary Women by the office of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes for her commitment to making Brooklyn a better place for women and their families! Visit www.brooklynda.org for details on this honor and the rest of 2010's Extraordinary Women!
AAI/AAANY Town Hall Packed in a Call for Immigration Reform
On Wednesday, February 17th, AAANY co-sponsored a Town Hall meeting about Immigration Reform, National Security and Civil Liberties, hosted by the Arab American Institute. The event, held in Widdi Hall in Brooklyn, NY, featured a number of influential speakers, including Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs at the Mayor's Office Fatima Shama, New York Immigration Coalition Executive Director Chung-Wha Hong, Congresswoman Yvette Clark, and USCIS District Director Andrea Quarantillo. Each gave their remarks about the current climate surrounding immigration and some of the most important issues facing the Arab community in New York, and fielded questions from the public on a variety of topics, including the treatment of immigrants by immigration and law enforcement agencies, the Obama administration's stance on current policies, and a variety of related issues.
We applaud the efforts of the Arab American Institute and our co-sponsors to bring such leaders together to address these pressing concerns on a grassroots level. With such open dialogue, and the community showing in such strong numbers, we can ensure that the public's efforts to make changes to our immigration policies do not go unheeded by the officials and leaders whose duty it is to represent these interests.
Click here for NY1's coverage of the event!
AAANY now a Neighborhood Office of the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office
AAANY is now home to a new Neighborhood Office of the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, "Brooklyn's Gateway to Help." We have always worked closely with District Attorney Charles Hynes, and we are happy to have formalized this working relationship. Representatives from the DA's Office - including long-time friend of AAANY Kathy Khatari, are now stationed at AAANY on Wednesdays and Fridays to help with a range of issues, including family justice, immigrant safety, keeping children in school, helping protect your neighbors and families, and much more. Please contact the DA's Office at (718) 250-2555 for more information.
Immigration Rally in Bay Ridge Draws Hundreds
On March 12th, Immigrant leaders and their supporters from AAANY, the Arab Muslim American Federation, the New York Immigration Coalition, Make the Road NY and other organizations gathered over 800 community members in and around the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, just down the street from AAANY's offices, in a rally demand immigration reform. The rally was followed by a press conference, led by several pillars of our community, including AAANY Director Linda Sarsour and Board President Dr. Ahmad Jaber. This was yet another step in the long march to achieving comprehensive immigration reform in this country; it is important that all of our friends, families and colleagues come out to support us in this effort! Please see below for information regarding joining AAANY in a march in Washington, DC on Sunday, March 21st!
Free Help Filing Taxes
The deadline for filing your taxes is April 15th! If you live near AAANY (or near Bay Ridge, Brooklyn), the locations in the flyer below can provide free assistance with filing taxes!
For free tax assistance in any of the five boroughs of New York City, please use the links below to locate the site nearest you:
Brooklyn
Bronx
Manhattan
Queens
Staten Island
Special thanks to the NYC Coalition Against Hunger for providing much of this information!
Women's Workshop on "Eating Right"
On January 27, the Women’s ESL class took a break from mastering grammar forms and learned a new set of vocabulary words. “Eat Right,” a nutrition seminar specially designed for the class by AAANY volunteers, focused on the vitamins and nutrients essential for women’s health, with an emphasis on culturally-relevant recipes and ingredients. Twenty students asked questions and took notes on the myths and facts surrounding healthy eating. They swapped recipes and shared ideas on what to cook to keep their families healthy. As they enjoyed fruit salad at the end, many women commented that they’d like to turn the seminar, which was taught in English and Arabic, into a series on family health. Special thanks to Doha, a local nutrition student, and our volunteers and translators!
Volunteers Unite for MLK Jr. Day
The AAANY staff and volunteers united on Martin Luther King Day to celebrate Dr. King's message of service and give back to another community. On January 18th, we joined hundreds of volunteers at the Jewish Community Center of New York, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We collaborated on a number of creative and heart-felt projects: we helped create shopping bags for use at a clothing pantry at a domestic violence victim shelter, created toys for battered animals in shelters; and wrote joke books for hospitalized children. We would like to thank the JCC for their efforts to coordinate a creative and well-organized service day, and our friends and supporters who came out to volunteer with us!
A New Look for the New Year!
AAANY is getting a new look for the new year! We are renovating our upstairs classroom space, used every day by dozens of children and adults for afterschool tutoring and English and citizenship class. On December 17th, 2009, AAANY's Volunteer Coordinator visited the Kurt Hahn School in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, to discuss why people choose to volunteer and and to help them understand the impact of their volunteer work at organizations such as AAANY. The following day, a group of volunteers from the Kurt Hahn School came to AAANY to repaint the walls upstairs, while AAANY staff and volunteers built bookshelves to hold a library of donated children's books. Our students, teachers and tutors are all motivated by the pleasant space, and we are excited for all of the progress they are achieving upstairs!
AAANY Celebrates 8 Years of Service!
On Friday, November 20th, 250 supporters joined AAANY in celebrating its 8th anniversary of service to the Arab-American community of New York City. This year, for the first time ever, the event was held at Dyker Beach Golf Club, and featured live music from Yousef Shamoun (pictured right), performances by AAANY's teen debka troupe, great food, and plenty of dancing! Attendees included a diverse mix of local leaders, including members of the medical, legal, business, religious and political communities.
The evening's keynote speaker and honoree was Commissioner Fatima A. Shama of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (pictured left). She was joined by honorees Dean Rasinya (Chair, Brooklyn Community Board 10) and Deputy Inspector Eric Rodriguez (68th Precinct, NYPD). Each of these individuals was recognized for dedicated service to the Arab-American community, and we hope that they can continue to work to address the issues facing our constituents.
The annual Benefit Gala is our largest and most important fundraising event of the year, and we were thrilled that our community came out in such a heartwarming show of support and solidarity. Our Board President Dr. Ahmad Jaber (pictured right with members of NAAP-NY) said it best in asserting that in spite of the difficulties of the current economic climate, "you will never find lack of love and dedication to do good for the community." He added that "our frustrations have turned to solutions. We have learned that the success of our organization comes from the bridges we have built."
We would like to thank all of our donors, whether individuals, businesses or organizations. A special thanks goes out to our Gold Sponsors, including Lutheran Medical Center, HealthPlus, AmeriChoice, and Dr. Hassan Wehbeh. All funds raised at the Annual Benefit will be used towards expanding and improving our programs so that we can continue to efficiently and effectively serve the Arab American community in New York City. With your support, we look forward to another inspiring year of growth and success.
All sponsors of the event are featured in our Gala 2009 Journal, available for download in PDF format.
Thanksgiving Turkeys for Arab-American Families
On Tuesday, November 24th, 100 families received free turkeys for Thanksgiving, courtesy of HealthPlus in collaboration with AAANY. During these difficult economic times, many of our community members are forced to give up everything but necessities, even during the holiday season. Nice surprises such as these have a greater impact than first meets the eye - putting extra food on the table can mean a lot to a hard-working family! We hope that next year we can bring this gift to even more families!
Toys for Eid al-Fitr
During ther week of September 14th, over fifty of our youth program participants received gifts for Eid al-Fitr thanks to the generosity of the Muslim Bar Association of New York! AAANY and MUBANY collaborated to create a wish list of educational toys for local Arab-American children of all ages, which MUBANY members then purchased. We would like to thank MUBANY for their support for our youth during this holiday season! Visit their website at www.muslimbarny.org for more information about their mission and activities.
Brooklynat!
Fridays from 4:00-5:30pm (unless otherwise noted)
Arab American Association of New York
7111 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Brooklynat is a program for young Arab-American women in New York City that fosters engagement, activism and leadership.
We create our own community service projects, paint public murals, attend film screenings, spoken word shows, poetry slams, visit art galleries and political rallies.
We meet with other amazing Arab-American women who give back to the community in diverse ways--fashion designers, filmmakers, journalists, and religious scholars.
We decide what issues matter to us and actually DO something about it.
Please contact Aisha or call (718) 745-3523 to sign up or get more information.
AAANY's Brooklyn United Soccer Team Wins NYPD Commissioner's Cup!
On August 15th, a very hot and sunny Saturday, AAANY’s very own Brooklyn United soccer team defeated the Turkish American Sports Club 6-2 in the finals of the NYPD Commissioner’s Cup with supporters, members of the press, and law enforcement officials on hand. According to commissioner Ray Kelly, the league is designed to “increase fellowship amongst teens and build stronger relationships between them and the NYPD.” We congratulate our boys on a hard-fought tournament and a stellar win in the final game! View our photo gallery for more photos from the day.
Download the latest newsletter: Summer 2009
Another Successful Summer at AAANY Draws to a Close
On Thursday, August 13th, participants and organizers of AAANY’s Summer 2009 programs gathered in the event hall of Salam Arabic Lutheran Church to celebrate the completion of a busy and successful Summer Youth Program, which provided a safe, fun and educational space for thirty of our community’s youth. Guests enjoyed dinner while AAANY Director Linda Sarsour narrated a slide show featuring photos from Summer Camp field trips, the Soccer Team’s undefeated season, and the Debka Team’s performance at the Bazaar. City Councilman Vincent Gentile made a surprise visit and presented special certificates with the City Council seal to the campers, dancers, soccer players, volunteers, and AAANY staff involved in summer programming.
A celebration of this kind seemed fitting for year’s Summer Youth Program, our biggest and most ambitious yet, one which featured many exciting and educational field trips throughout New York City. For example, on Thursday, July 16th, our Summer Youth Program, led by Asmi Fathelbab and Mizanur Ahmed, took a tour of City Hall as a special guest of City Councilman Vincent Gentile. Our kids learned about the history of the building, witnessed its function and importance in city politics, and enjoyed a lunch on the front lawn with members of City Hall’s staff.
Another trip our youth enjoyed was a trip on August 14th to the New York Police Museum (pictured above), where the kids learned about the history of one of the country’s oldest police departments, had their mug shots taken in an old jail cell and in a line-up, and spoke with members of the force about their experiences. Several other special events were held at AAANY, including a visiting FDNY fire truck and crew (pictured left) and a Kidsmobile Unit from the Brooklyn Public Library, among others.
We at AAANY hope that next summer will bring even more fun, but in the mean time, our youth programming continues with after-school tutoring, Debka classes, Princess Club and Girl Talk. Please see our website or call our offices for the most up-to-date program schedules.
3rd Annual Bay Ridge Arab American Bazaar!
On Sunday, July 12th, AAANY partnered with the Arab Muslim American Federation to host its 3rd Annual Bay Ridge Arab American Bazaar in Shore Road Park, Brooklyn. The event, held as part of New York City’s Arab Heritage Week as declared in 2005, with a crowd of about 5,000 community members who were on hand to celebrate the best of Arab-American culture, featuring musical and dance performances, great foods, clothing and crafts sellers from across New York City. Thanks to sponsors Lutheran Medical Center, the U.S. Census Bureau, Health Plus, Apple Bank and Con Edison, the Bazaar was our biggest and finest to date!
The day’s performers included Yasser Darwish and Egyptian Celebrations, Walid Rubaee, Samer Tabari, Palestinian Stars Debka Troupe, and Omar Hayel. Those in attendance were treated to a surprise performance from Saad Lamjarrad (pictured at top), Moroccan finalist on Superstar, the Arab World’s version of American Idol!
We were also joined by several local political leaders, including State Assembly Member Janele Hyer-Spencer (pictured above), Senator Marty Golden, and City Council Member Vincent Gentile, each of whom extended their appreciation for such a celebration of Brooklyn’s multicultural heritage. Special thanks goes out to our dozens of dedicated volunteers, who committed countless hours of hard work – before, during and after July 12th – in order to make this year’s Bazaar such a tremendous success! More photos from the event are available in our photo gallery.
This year's Bazaar would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Lutheran Medical Center, Health Plus, Apple Bank, and Con Edison!
New York City Council Votes in Favor of Recognizing Muslim Holidays in Public Schools
On Tuesday, June 30th, New York City Council voted 50 to 1 in favor of passing Resolution 1281, urging the Department of Education to include Muslim holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in the city’s public school calendars. The Arab American Association of New York, having been involved in a coalition of over 80 organizations supporting this measure, has welcomed this decision warmly. With Muslim students making up over ten percent of the NYC Public School student body, it seems high time that these important holidays go recognized.
Muslim students – many of them residents of our own Bay Ridge community – deserve the chance to observe their most important holidays of the year while enjoying every chance to excel in school. Councilmember and Education Committee Chair Robert Jackson, pictured above with AAANY Director Linda Sarsour on June 18th in front of City Hall, was a chief sponsor of the measure, believing that a choice between missing important holidays with one’s family and missing important classes, trips and exams in school is not one that so many students should have to make.
Fifth Avenue Festival is a hit!
On Sunday, May 31st, a warm sunny day in Brooklyn, AAANY teamed up with local Arabic music store Princess Music to put on quite a show! AAANY's Debka (traditional Palestinian dance) troupe performed three times throughout the afternoon, attracting larger and larger crowds as the day went on.
With Princess Music's DJ spinning Arabic dance music, and raffle prizes being offered by Princess Music, Pharmacy on Fifth, 5th Avenue Kings, and Balady Foods, crowds reached in the hundreds, with dozens joining in the dancing on several occasions. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us for a little taste of what's to come in our July 12th Bay Ridge Arab American Bazaar!
Arab Americans give back to Brooklyn!
Sunset Park Recreation Center was the site of AAANY’s Free Market on Saturday, May 16th, as part of the National Network for Arab American Communities’ 5th Annual National Arab American Service Day. This project, like dozens of others around the country, aimed to give Arab-Americans a chance to give back to their diverse neighbors while showing what they can do when they come together for a good cause. AAANY, with the invaluable support of Karen Gripper and Sunset Park Recreation Center, Network of Arab-American Professionals – NY, HealthPlus, Sunset Park Health Corps and Kings Kids Corp., offered free clothing, house-wares and children’s items to the predominantly Chinese- and Spanish-speaking community of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Over sixty volunteers came out in support of this effort, serving hundreds of local residents throughout the day by organizing and distributing items to the public, spreading the word around the neighborhood, translating for attendees, coordinating volunteers, and more.
HealthPlus offered children’s activities such as cotton candy, spin-wheel giveaway games, and balloon creature making. Moreover, New York State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz visited the event in time to witness AAANY’s Debka troupe performing their traditional Palestinian dances!
Assemblyman Ortiz, when addressing AAANY’s volunteers, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts such as this, especially in such an ethnically diverse community during such tough economic times – and we could not agree more. May 16th’s Free Market gave Arab-Americans throughout New York City the chance to work hand-in-hand with members of the greater community. We are delighted to have organized our largest and most impactful National Arab American Service Day to date, and are eager to continue to serve in such a way – and we have our dedicated supporters and volunteers to thank for this opportunity.
The Arab American Association of New York would like to thank HealthPlus, Sunset Park Recreation Center, Network of Arab-American Professionals - NY, Sunset Park Health Corps, Kings Kids Corp., and all of our dedicated volunteers for making May 16th's 5th Annual National Arab American Service Day our most successful service day yet!
Updates - May 2009
On Friday, May 8th, AAANY hosted free mammogram scans, thanks to the sponsorship of the NYU Cancer Institute AMBER (Arab American Breast Cancer Education and Referral) Program, YWCA of Brooklyn and the American-Italian Cancer Foundation. Following what is becoming a biannual tradition at AAANY, twenty seven women received free scans, and participants were also provided with health care advice from the medical professionals and representatives on hand. Many thanks to the YWCA of Brooklyn and the American-Italian Cancer Foundation for their continuing support of the health of the Arab American community!
AAANY/LFHC Community Needs Health Assessment on the Arab-American community in Southwest Brooklyn won second place in Lutheran Medical Center’s Caring for Health Awards on May 14th!
AAANY welcomes Sarab al-Jijakli, co-founder of the Network of Arab-American Professionals – NY, to its Board of Directors. We look forward to making the most of his passion for supporting and empowering the Arab-American community in New York City!
Earth Day Clean-up with NYPD
On Wednesday, April 22nd AAANY teamed up with NYPD Youth Services and some of our finest volunteers to clean up our streets in honor of Earth Day! A group of about fifty walked from our offices towards Leif Ericson Park donning brooms, rakes, gloves and paint rollers, cleaning up litter and painting over graffiti.
Our goal was to clean up our streets, but we also aim to set an example for our community in demonstrating that there are people – especially young people Thanks to New York Police Department Youth Services and Detective Ahmed Nasser for helping to organize our Earth Day Cleanup!
Health Fair for the Community
On Friday, April 17th, AAANY hosted its annual Healthy Family Fair at Beit al-Maqdis Mosque, partnering with Lutheran Medical Center to provide hearing, dental, blood sugar and other medical tests free of charge! Several of our community’s doctors – especially those who speak Arabic – were on hand to provide these services in addition to free consultations for the public. We would like to thank them for their dedication to the community!
With attendance nearing two hundred, we can consider this fair to have been one of our most successful ever! We know that both costs and a lack of awareness of healthcare options can plague many communities of New York City, and events such as this can help fight this. We would like to thank all of those who supported the event, including Lutheran Medical Center, HealthPlus, YWCA Brooklyn, NYU Cancer Institute, Pharmacy on Fifth, and all of the docto rs and staff members who provided their services to the community free of charge.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
On Sunday, March 22nd, AAANY joined in the annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day parade, which ran down 5th Avenue from 95th Street to 67th Street, right past our offices and through the heart of our neighborhood. On what was truly a sunny spring day, we were joined by many of our staff, volunteers and youth - as well as by some of our friends watching from the sidewalks! As one spectator shouted, "we are all Irish today!"
Please visit our Photo Album for more pictures from the parade!
Arab World Mothers' Day Party!
On Friday, March 20th, AAANY hosted its 3rd Annual Arab World Mothers' Day Party at Widdi Catering Hall in Brooklyn. This year's festivities featured more attendees than ever before, with over 400! Home-cooked food was served to all, thanks to our Women's Committee, led by Zeinab Bader. We enjoyed this great food, in addition to the sounds of Rana Beyruti, a song for our mothers performed by our youth, awards of appreciation for volunteers and organizers of the event, and plenty of dancing until past 10pm!
These are important times to come together as a community and celebrate the hard work of those who do much and ask for little or nothing in return. We are glad we had the opportunity to bring together such an active and dedicated group together, and we thank everyone for their show of support! More pictures will soon be available on our Picasa Photo Album.
Honors for Two of Our Own
Zeinab Bader was honored this February by the Brooklyn District
Attorney's Office as one of thisyear's Extraordinary Women,
a recognition given annually to select women who go above
and beyond the call of duty to improve the lives of Brooklyn's
citizens. Moreover, our very own Linda Sarsour was
honored by the Network of Arab American Professionals at
their 7th Anniversary Banquet on February 21st as a
recipient of their Community Achievement Award. We
would like to congratulate Linda, Zeinab and NAAP for all
of their hard work in the past year to empower our
community!
Introducing AAANY's Women's Committee
January, 2009 ~ We are excited to announce that AAANY Honorary Board Member Zeinab Bader, a Lebanese-American mother of 5, and long time resident of Bay Ridge, launched the AAANY Women’s Committee this past January. It is a female-driven forum in which members voice their concerns, collaborate on cultural and educational events and strengthen the community from the ground up. They focus especially on issues of women’s rights, intergenerational programming, domestic violence and educational discrimination. This initiative allows women to be at the forefront of the issues that matter to them most, and allows them to empower themselves and each other. Please call AAANY or visit our website for updates on meetings and upcoming events related to the Women’s Committee.
