BridgesNY has marked the graduation of its second cohort. The program, dedicated to fostering connections across New York City diverse communities, was praised by Rabbi Bob Kaplan, Executive Director at the Centre for Shared Society/JCRC NY, and David Ahmed Coulibaly, Director of Community Services at the Bronx Borough President’s Office.

Kaplan, a well known Jewish community leader in New York and a long time peace and interfaith advocate, stated, “David’s choice to enter into a life of service to his and the greater community is why Bridges-NY was created and invested in. We invest in what are our values, and the foundational values of service and partnership lie at the heart of this effort.”

He added, “Thank you, David and all who chose to be a part of this amazing and essential journey of making the world a better place for all. Bridges is our gift back to you.”

Coulibaly extended his congratulations to the graduates, expressing deep gratitude to Kaplan and his team: “Congratulations to the second cohort of BridgesNY! A heartfelt thank you to Rabbi Bob Kaplan and his team at JCRC for his dedication in creating such an impactful program that prepares the next generation of civic leaders.”

He highlighted the program role in building essential skills for leadership. He said, “BridgesNY is all about fostering connections among diverse leaders in NYC, bridging gaps across various religious and ethnic backgrounds. Participants learn to enhance their communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills—key elements for running campaigns, managing teams, building coalitions, and governing effectively.”

With an emphasis on collaboration and cultural responsiveness, BridgesNY continues to shape leaders ready to serve their communities.

Coulibaly concluded, “Congrats to the new graduating class. NYC needs you. Special kudos to our own BX girl, Lorean Valentin.”

In the press release, JCRC-NY states: “We’re incredibly proud to celebrate the graduation of the 16 rising leaders from our Bridges-NY Fellowship! Over the past year, these talented individuals have worked hard to prepare for leadership roles in New York City’s diverse communities. The fellowship’s goal is to equip the next generation of change-makers with the skills, knowledge, and relationships needed to foster a more inclusive, shared society.

“Throughout the year, our fellows built strong connections with one another, honed their leadership abilities, and gained invaluable insights from mentors and experts in various fields. Their passion, dedication, and inspiring stories have shown us all the power of collaboration and the impact that thoughtful, committed individuals can have on their communities.

“We wish them all the best of luck on their continued journeys, and we’ll be here to support and cheer them on in any way we can! A special thank you to Gregg Bishop, Executive Director of the Social Justice Fund at the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation, for delivering a powerful keynote speech. We are also grateful to The Jewish Museum for hosting this beautiful event, and to our proud partners UJA-Federation of New Yorkand Bloomberg Philanthropies, whose support makes this fellowship possible. Together, we’re building a brighter future for New York City and beyond!”