JCRC-NY Hosts Intercultural Leadership Gathering in Harlem
Tsion Cafe provided the setting for an evening of intercultural dialogue and civic leadership on Thursday, March 13, 2026, as the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York convened fellows and alumni from several of its flagship leadership initiatives.
The gathering brought together participants from the Blumberg Fellowship, the We Are All Fellowships Against Hate, and the BridgesNY Fellowship, creating an atmosphere where emerging civic leaders from diverse communities across New York City could reconnect, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The event highlighted the growing role of cross-community leadership networks in addressing rising social tensions and strengthening civic engagement throughout the city.
A Space for Dialogue and Cultural Exchange
Hosted at Harlem’s well-known Ethiopian-Israeli restaurant, Tsion Cafe, the evening blended cultural appreciation with meaningful discussion about leadership, identity, and community service.
Attendees heard remarks from restaurateur and community figure Beejhy Barhani, who shared the personal story behind building Tsion Cafe into a cultural hub in Harlem.
Barhani described both the challenges and the rewards of creating a business that serves as more than just a restaurant.
“Food can bring people together in ways that politics and institutions sometimes cannot,” she explained, reflecting on the role of culture and hospitality in building bridges among communities.
She noted that Tsion Cafe was founded with the intention of celebrating Ethiopian and Israeli cultural heritage while offering a welcoming gathering place for people of different backgrounds.
Fellowship Programs Building Civic Leaders
The fellowships represented at the event are designed to strengthen civic leadership and promote cross-community collaboration throughout New York.
The Blumberg Fellowship focuses on cultivating emerging Jewish leaders who are committed to public service and civic engagement in New York.
The We Are All Fellowships Against Hate brings together leaders from diverse communities across boroughs—including Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island—to confront hate through dialogue, relationship-building, and joint action.
Meanwhile, the BridgesNY Fellowship connects rising civic leaders from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds, helping them develop coalition-building skills and prepare for public leadership roles.
Organizers say that by linking fellows and alumni across different programs, the event strengthened a growing network of leaders committed to cooperation and social resilience.
Strengthening New York’s Civic Fabric
According to JCRC-NY organizers, the evening reflected the broader mission of the organization: fostering stronger relationships between communities while preparing the next generation of civic leaders.
Participants discussed shared concerns ranging from combating antisemitism and racism to expanding civic participation and strengthening neighborhood relationships.
The cross-cohort meeting also allowed alumni and current fellows to exchange experiences from their respective programs and identify ways to collaborate on future initiatives.
As New York continues to navigate complex social and political challenges, organizers emphasized that leadership programs like these are essential for nurturing cooperation across cultural, ethnic, and religious lines.
Fellowship Applications
Individuals interested in participating in future fellowship cohorts can contact program coordinators through the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York:
Blumberg Fellowship – aeders@jcrcny.org
We Are All Fellowship Against Hate – kogand@jcrcny.org
BridgesNY Fellowship – lissyr@jcrcny.org
Organizers say the fellowships aim to equip emerging leaders with the relationships, skills, and civic perspective needed to help shape a more connected and resilient New York City.
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