JCRC-NY Celebrates Jewish American and AAPI Heritage Months at 3rd annual Shalom Dragon Family Festival

BENSONHURST, NY (05/18/2026) (readMedia)-- On Sunday, JCRC-NY, Council Member Susan Zhuang, the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, and UJA-Federation of New York held the third annual Shalom Dragon Family Festival in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The street fair showcased the cultural traditions of both communities, featuring Jewish and AAPI music, food, dance, and a Krav Maga class, along with a wide range of family-friendly activities for all ages. City Council Speaker Julie Menin also attended the event.

Jewish and AAPI New Yorkers have a long, deep-rooted history in this city, including in South Brooklyn where Sunday's event took place. Both communities continue to be an essential part of New York's rich diversity, and recognizing and celebrating their cultural contributions is central to JCRC-NY's mission of building a more connected and inclusive city for all. The Shalom Dragon Family Festival is a meaningful celebration of shared heritage, cultural vibrancy, and the enduring solidarity between these communities.

VIEW PHOTOS OF THE EVENT HERE.

"JCRC-NY was thrilled to once again join Council Member Susan Zhuang, the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, and UJA for our third annual Shalom Dragon celebration in honor of Jewish and AAPI Heritage Month in Brooklyn-a tradition we began three years ago and are proud to continue," said Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY. "This festival is not just a celebration of culture and tradition-it's a powerful expression of solidarity. At a time when building bridges between communities is more important than ever, we are honored to join with our AAPI neighbors to uplift the beauty of our identities and our shared commitment to justice and inclusion. Thank you to the incredible team at Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, Council Member Susan Zhuang and her office, UJA-Federation of NY, Speaker Julie Menin, NYPD, and the Community Security Initiative, a joint security program supported by JCRC-NY and UJA-Federation of NY, for helping make this event such a success."

"Yesterday's Shalom Dragon Family Festival was a beautiful reminder of what makes Brooklyn so special. As an immigrant and the first Chinese American woman to represent this district in the City Council, it meant so much to stand alongside our Jewish and Asian communities in celebration of culture, friendship, and unity. In a time when division too often dominates the conversation, events like this show the power of bringing people together through joy, understanding, and shared community. Thank you to Marks JCH, JCRC-NY, UJA-Federation of New York, the NYPD, CSI, Speaker Julie Menin, Mark Treyger, and all of our community partners who helped make this incredible day possible," said Council Member Susan Zhuang.