Annual
Holiday Reception
Date/Time :
Tuesday, December
19, 2006 -
6:30pm- 9:00pm
On the evening of Tuesday
December 19, 2006, Turkish Cultural Center hosted a holiday reception. At the end of the room were placed a little Christmas
tree, gently ornamented, a minute menorah, and a calligraphic rendition of
the Islamic testament of faith.
The Turkish Cultural Center saw this as an opportunity to gather
friends and acquaintances to socialize, share a meal, and enjoy the holiday
cheer.
Two more people were invited to the podium: State
Senator Liz Krueger and Radio Host Dr. Joy Browne.
Mr. Yavas introduced State Senator Liz Krueger,
who represents the district where the Turkish Cultural Center is located by
informing the audience that “she has dedicated her career to issues relating
to poverty ... a nationally recognized expert on the problems of hunger and
homelessness.” She shares with the Center a vision of a better future
through cooperative striving.
"I had quite a few opportunities in the last few
months to meet with some of the leaders here at the Turkish Cultural Center.
They came to Albany, our state capital, to meet with legislators. They had
that incredible evening at the Waldorf that I hope many of you were at,
celebrating the breaking of the fast of the Ramadan. They came to my office
recently to talk about how State Government could be easier to access for
members of the Turkish community. And I've so enjoyed our conversations and
the important work that this Center has set out for itself.
I also ran not-for-profit organizations for 20
years before I became a legislator, so I also know what a challenge it is to
be starting up a new not-for-profit organization that is international in
its goals and is so important at this point in our history where while we
live in a pluralistic city of New York where we're all used to coming all
over the world --- but in too much, I think, of my own country and even in
the rest of the state of New York, people just starting to get to know each
other, understanding each other –traditions, culture, language, religion–
needs so much more assistance. So I am so glad the Turkish Cultural Center
is here in my district. I know we're going to continue to work together on
many issue."
She was followed at the podium by Dr Joy Browne.
Dr. Browne is the host of a nationally syndicated radio talk show, the
longest running advice show hosted by a psychologist.
"These days, where it's so easy to be angry and
its so easy to see the differences in people, … I really celebrate this
group because what I was really struck by at the Waldorf and again tonight
is really an attempt -not an attempt- an outreach to really bring people
together, to understand one another, to share what we have in common as
opposed to what separates us. And it seems to me that this time of year is
particularly appropriate because this is the time of year where historically
people have put down, countries have put down their differences their arms
and at least for a day or two reminded themselves that we're all on this
planet together."
After these speeches, guests spent the rest of
the night getting to know the Cultural Center and each other. They conversed
well into the night.
