The recent effort to stop the proposed casino in Brooklyn stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community unites around shared values and concerns. A casino in Coney Island, the backyard of our community, would have posed a serious threat to the safety of our children and also to the cleanliness and quality life of our neighborhood.
Casinos bring increased exposure to gambling, addiction, and associated social harms. For a community that prioritizes education, family life, and moral responsibility, introducing such an environment nearby would have been dangerous for young people, normalizing behavior that can lead to financial distress and personal hardship.
Parents, rabbis, and lay leaders spoke out clearly: the negatives far outweigh the positives.
Under the leadership and coordination of the Sephardic Community Federation, the proposal was ultimately blocked due to immense and sustained pressure placed on those involved. As a result of an intense marketing and awareness campaign including a petition of 8,000 concerned community members, the local elected officials heard our concerns and stopped the project from moving forward. This outcome reflects not politics as usual, but the strength of collective civic action.
The decision to block the casino was not about resisting progress; it was about protecting the future – safeguarding youth, preserving neighborhood integrity, and affirming that development must align with community values. This effort demonstrated that when residents speak with one voice, they can shape outcomes and defend what matters most.
SCF ANNOUNCES MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR ZONING REGULATIONS IN BROOKLYN
The SCF is happy to report that after an almost nine-year lobbying campaign, meaningful sections of the recently enacted City of Yes rezoning program included many special considerations for new and remodeled houses in our neighborhoods.
As a longtime member of the Flatbush Neighborhood Improvement Coalition (FNIC), the SCF worked together with the FNIC and others to bring this major accomplishment to fruition.
The new regulations provide (among others):
• In our neighborhoods only – Southern Brooklyn (not City-wide)
• Enhanced Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0
• Rear yard depths reduced from 30 feet to 20 feet
• Increase in lot coverage
• Reduction of certain side yard requirements
• Increase in the perimeter side wall height that allows for a 3–4 step-up front porch/entry level vs. the previous 1–2 step-up front porch/entry level.
These enhancements were designed to eliminate the long paperwork delays of a year or more and expenditures of up to $100,000 for legal and filing fees for Special Permits and Variances.
The SCF wishes to extend its deep gratitude to Mayor Eric Adams, his administration, and the Dept. of City Planning Commissioner, Dan Garodnik.
Their combined efforts via more than a dozen meetings, whether they were at City Hall, at the Dept. of City Planning, or on Zoom or by phone, went way above and beyond our expectations.
We are also grateful to Joey Shamie for his untiring efforts re: this initiative and for his involvement in so many other community-wide initiatives.
This historic accomplishment is but one of many successes that the SCF has achieved in its 15-plus years of advocating for the needs of our community.
A Historic Moment for Our Community: Sam Sutton Elected to the New York State Senate
The election of Sam Sutton to the New York State Senate marks a historic and meaningful moment and turning point for our community. A lifelong community member and dedicated activist, Sam’s victory represents the first time one of our own is holding public office, giving our community a direct voice in state government affairs.
For decades, Sam Sutton has been deeply involved in strengthening and uplifting the community. He has served on numerous boards including Sephardic Bikur Holim (as president), NY Cancer Center (as founder), as well as many other projects and initiatives.
Most notably, Sam, along with Ronnie Tawil, is a founder of the Sephardic Community Federation, the advocacy arm of our community, created to ensure that our collective concerns are heard and addressed at every level of government. For over 20 years the SCF has lobbied for our community on important issues while securing tens of millions of dollars for our institutions.
Sam’s election ensures that our community now has a seat at the table on the issues that matter most. With his understanding of our values and needs, we are confident that he will be a strong advocate for:
- Securing funding for our schools, synagogues, and other community organizations
- Fighting anti-Semitism and protecting religious freedoms
- Maintaining clean, safe, and vibrant neighborhoods
- Advancing policies that support families, education, and community institutions
Beyond policy, Sam’s presence in office sends a powerful message: that civic engagement, grassroots advocacy, and long-term commitment to one’s community can lead to a meaningful representation and change.
As Sam Sutton continues his service in the New York State Senate, we look forward with optimism and pride. His leadership promises not only representation, but partnership – a voice that understands where we come from and where we hope to go. We are confident that he will serve with integrity and dedication, and we look forward to having him in office for many years to come.
Our Voice, Our Vote: How SCF United the Community to Register to Vote
The Sephardic Community Federation (SCF) has once again demonstrated the power of organized, grassroots advocacy through a historic and highly successful voter registration initiative. What began as a focused community effort grew into a broad, coordinated campaign that mobilized thousands and reshaped civic participation within our community.
Recognizing the importance of civic engagement, the SCF, with the help of community leaders Haim Dabah and Marshall Aronow, launched a multi-faceted voter registration push designed to reach community members wherever they were. Volunteers and leaders spoke directly in schools and synagogues, emphasizing the responsibility and impact of registering to vote. Informational tables were set up outside popular community hotspots and along neighborhood streets, making registration accessible and visible, with dedicated volunteers managing each table.
In addition, SCF implemented a targeted text-message campaign, reaching individuals directly with reminders and guidance on how to register. Volunteers also went door to door, ensuring that no one was overlooked and that every eligible voice had the opportunity to be heard.
The results were extraordinary. As a direct outcome of this collective effort, an estimated number of 15,000 or more new voters were registered, and they turned out to vote in November – marking the highest voter participation our community has ever seen. This milestone reflects not only numbers, but unity, commitment, and shared purpose.
This achievement proves what is possible when we work together. Civic strength is built through participation, and participation leads to representation. Together, our voice is our vote, and through that vote, we ensure that our community has a seat at the table on all important matters that affect our families, schools, synagogues, safety, and future.
The success of this initiative is a reminder that when we act as one, we are heard. The Sephardic Community Federation’s voter registration drive was not just a campaign – it was a statement: our community is engaged, organized, and ready to shape its own future.
From Hate to Action: Standing United Against Anti-Semitism
The day after the mayoral election, our community was shaken by a disturbing act of hate: a swastika was discovered painted on a gate outside Magen David Yeshivah in the heart of our community. This act of anti-Semitism was not only an attack on a single institution, but was an attack on our entire community and the values we stand for.
What followed, however, was a powerful demonstration of leadership and resolve.
Newly-elected Senator Sam Sutton along with District Leader Joey Saban acted immediately. Without hesitation, they sprang into action to ensure that this incident would not be ignored or minimized.
Within a short time, a press conference was convened in which NY State Governor Kathy Hochul decided to attend, sending a clear and public message that anti-Semitism has no place in our city or state.
As a direct result of this swift response, additional security funding was granted to our community as well as throughout NY State, strengthening protections for our schools, synagogues, and institutions.
This decisive action reassured families, educators, and community members that their safety is a priority – and that when hate surfaces, it will be met with firm and immediate consequences.
This moment underscored an essential truth: power comes from action. When we do not sit back, when we organize, speak up, and demand accountability, real results follow. Representation matters, and having leaders who understand our community and are willing to fight for it makes a tangible difference.
We are hopeful and confident that Senator Sam Sutton, in collaboration with the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), will continue to work closely with additional elected official and remain a strong advocate for our community. His response during this critical moment reflects the kind of leadership we need – proactive, visible, and unafraid to confront anti-Semitism head on.