The following is an article from the Brooklyn Paper:
Bloomy ain’t the only mayor in town.
Brooklyn is a borough of neighborhoods, and almost every one of them has its own un-elected mayor in charge of everything from hanging holiday decorations to negotiating complicated rezonings — all without any official power.
It usually takes years of hard work, a lengthy record of community activism, and some Brooklyn chutzpah to land the lofty-sounding yet informal position.
Once they’re in office — not that they actually have an office — the neighborhood leaders are more town crier than chief executive, but they play an important role in advocating for their communities nonetheless.
South Williamsburg: Isaac Abraham
He might be the Mayor of South Williamsburg, but Hasidic activist Isaac Abraham is actually seeking a demotion.
The hardware store owner is a longshot in the race to represent the neighborhood in the City Council, but his leadership in the Southside has already cemented his legacy.
For 30 years, Abraham’s lengthy resume as mayor includes accomplishments like the implementation of a CB radio-based, stay-at-home neighborhood watch and the rescue of a Jewish girl who was lost in the woods on the border of Connecticut and Massachusetts.
According to Abraham, his greatest skill is his tenacity.
“If you throw me through the door, I come back through the window,” he said.
His supporters say that going from mayor to councilman is a natural progression for a born leader.
“He already has the job, he’s just looking for the official title,” said Leo Moskowitz.
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One Response
Go Isaac go. You should be matzliach. Every community needs a Mayor (shvitzer) of its own to look out for its neighborhood.
Isaac, even thogh you are in Willi and I am in BP we served together in some organizations and yes I do remember that search of the girl in the woods. She must be a grown woman by now with kids of her own of that age.
CHAZAK V’AMATZ.