And a Ramadan roundup

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Dear John

While I personally did not fast to safely continue my recovery from surgery, I took time during the month of Ramadan to be spiritual in other ways, and for me, that’s being in community. Last Friday, I teamed up with the Arab-American Family Support Center ([link removed]) to give back to my Kensington family. We gave out 250 bags of produce, 150 hot meals, 138 PPE kits, and 640 COVID-19 tests ([link removed]) to hundreds of families to ensure people could stay fed and healthy. On April 20th, I joined my friends from District 39 and the Jews For Racial and Economic Justice ([link removed]) for their Iftar Seder ([link removed]) at Prospect Park! Having Ramadan and Passover fall on the same day this year gave us an incredible opportunity to hold a unique service that celebrated both faiths. It was such a moving experience and one I will treasure forever. And
just this past Monday, I joined dozens of you on Avenue C Plaza for our annual District 39 community Iftar ([link removed]) . A tradition that started years ago when I was working with then Council Member Brad Lander, and it’s been meaningful to see this once-vacant lot transform into a space for our neighbors to gather and celebrate.

Throughout this month, I’ve been to nearly every part of the district, seeing so many different faces in the community. I celebrated Passover, Easter, and Ramadan with you and it’s truly been uplifting and joyful. Being with all of you has made this Ramadan spiritual and fulfilling and I can’t wait for next year.
A picture of Shahana and Rabbi Lippman. Rabbi Lippman is holding the microphone. Both people are smiling.
At the Avenue C Plaza Iftar, I was proud to present Rabbi Ellen Lippmann ([link removed]) with an official proclamation from the City Council honoring her for her incredible contributions to our community!

Composting ([link removed])
On Thursday, I was thrilled to introduce legislation ([link removed]) to mandate universal residential composting for all of New York City! In 2018, at the height of the expansion of the residential composting program, our City was serving 3.5 million people in all five boroughs. Back then, we were the most extensive composting program in the nation - and we can be again. Far too often, composting has been the first on the budget chopping block ([link removed]) . Despite the incredible environmental benefits, from diverting food waste from landfills to the fact that composted soil can hold twice the amount of stormwater as regular soil, composting has been viewed as expendable. Today, we say no more! My legislation would expand the brown bin program to nearly every building in the City by 2023. In addition, it would task the Department of Sanitation
with developing educational and outreach materials to overcome the serious knowledge gap on composting in our City. When we reach full participation, we could divert more than a third ([link removed].) of our City's waste from landfills to regenerative composting programs, potentially creating hundreds of new green jobs.

Thursday was the first step in my bill's ([link removed]) long road to becoming law, but I am so proud to be on this journey. If you want to help, let us know by replying to this email! We need the community on our side to build momentum to help this pass.

COVID-19 ([link removed])
Cases across the City appear to be plateauing, meaning we may have reached the crest of this current wave. Increased vaccinations after the massive Omicron wave have built up considerable immunity, and at-home tests allow people to take precautions before traveling or being in crowds. However, there's still concern that the widespread availability of at-home tests is also leading to a serious undercount in the number of cases. Hospitalizations are also still low, so we'll need more time to find out where we are. But what's for certain is this is not the coronavirus wave we are used to. I hope for the better, but it requires us to be vigilant. As always, get tested ([link removed]) and get boosted ([link removed]) .

Community Bulletin
* Nine weeks post-surgery, I'm now comfortable walking without my cane. But, when I'll be able to bike again is still up in the air! May 4th is Bike to School Day and Transportation Alternatives is hosting a morning ride + school arrival celebration at the PS 372 schoolyard at 8 am. Fingers crossed that I'm able to bike with all of you!
* Happy Eid-ul Fitr to all of the families celebrating! Celebrate with me next Saturday, May 7th, at 11 am at the Brooklyn Children's Museum ([link removed]) for a fun interactive storytime. BCM is also providing free tickets to constituents through Arts & Democracy.
* Join the Park Slope 5th Avenue BID, rain or shine, Sunday, May 15th, from 10 am - 6 pm on 5th Ave between Sterling and 12th Street for their Fabulous Fifth Ave Fair ([link removed]) ! Stop by to check out some local eateries, bars, stores, and artists.
* Did you know that BAM has monthly programming specifically for seniors? In May and June, Senior Socials will continue with their Jazz Senior Social on May 4th, Motown Social on June 15th, and Disco Social on June 29th. To reserve a spot, contact Dewonnie Frederick at [email protected] or call 718-724-8126.
* Join local families to fix up and paint the old Little Free Library ([link removed]) at CHiPS food pantry and women's shelter at 1:30 pm next Saturday, May 7th.
* Our Land Use Director Mia and I will join DEP for a public engagement meeting about the development of the Gowanus Canal "Owls Head" combined sewer overflow facility on May 12th at 7 pm. Register here ([link removed]) to join us.
* Does your child need help with their homework? Homework Help is back virtually at Brooklyn Public Library ([link removed]) for students in grades K-8 and for high school students upon request.
* Calling all climate change artists, activists, and Gowanus lovers! Consider applying ([link removed]) to this paid two-day community workshop ([link removed]) that takes participants on a time-traveling journey from the past into our climate crisis future.
* The third edition of our education newsletter ([link removed]) just went out! Click here ([link removed]) to read it and if you're not already signed up, follow this link ([link removed]) to join our list.
* We have some movie magic coming to District 39 and that means some streets will be inaccessible for parking on Wednesday, May 4th and Friday, May 6th.
+ May 4th:
o The south half of Atlantic Ave between Clinton and Henry
o All of Clinton Street between Atlantic and Aitken Place
o Most of Sidney Place between Joralemon and State Street
+ May 6th:
o All of Clinton Street between Atlantic and Aitken Place
o Half of Atlantic Avenue between Clinton and Henry Street

In Solidarity,
Shahana

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New York City Council District 39
456 5th Ave Ste 3
Brooklyn, NY 11215-4076
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