The Bay Ridge Unity Task Force celebrated the holiday season with its annual breakfast on December 9 at the Bay Ridge Jewish Center.

The Unity Task Force was formed eleven years ago by a group of civic and religious leaders to promote tolerance within this multi-ethnic community, which is home to Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Baha’is. Pastor Khader El-Yateem of the Arabic Lutheran Church, community activist Larry Morrish, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello and State Senator Marty Golden are just some of the founders.

That morning, the room was filled with elected officials, commanding officers from the NYPD, U.S. Army chaplains and officers, community leaders and activists of all creeds and colors.

“Two people who might appear different are so similar,” said Rabbi Dina Rosenberg. “We have to go out and encourage our community to be together. Let’s eat, do community service, pray and show everyone that we really do live together.”

Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes recalled when the Task Force formed. “We came together eleven years ago during a very scary time,” he said. “We decided we would not let the haters and the bigots do anything in the neighborhood.”

Hynes spoke of recent hate crimes that have taken place in Brooklyn. In Midwood, which is a predominantly Sephardic, three cars were torched and benches and a train station were graffitied with hateful symbols.

“It is outrageous that there are still attacks in these communities,” he said. “The joy of this morning is that we are different, but all the same.”

Imam Sheikh Reda Shata of the Islamic Center of Bay Ridge spoke in Arabic through a translator. “Islam asks all people of all the earth to be brothers and sisters. One of our goals is to get to know one another for the greater goodness of society,” he said.

“Be truthful and be good to one another,” Shata added. “Different beliefs and thoughts are part of human nature but it shouldn’t stop us from working together for a better society and for peace and harmony for all.”

Golden recalled how shook up the community was when the World Trade Center was bombed in 1994 and then again after the September 11 attacks. “There was fear in our community – no one was out in the streets,” he said. “Our objective is to keep people in our community talking, working and praying together – that makes us one. We are here to help one another.”

Councilmember Vincent Gentile recalled the lyrics to the song, “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”

“This task force is the epitome of that statement,” Gentile said. “We enrich each other with our different backgrounds. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing – a beautiful, safe community to raise our families and work in.”

Assembly member Alec Brook-Krasny who was born in Russia, said he is very happy he decided to move to the U.S. “In this country, the majority of people know how to look at the world through the eyes of others. That is an art and not easy to do. But it’s happening here and it’s happening this morning.”

Carlo Scissura, who is Chief of Staff to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, said the world would be a better place if everyone acted and behaved like 99% of Brooklynites – there is always that intolerant 1%. Scissura wished everyone a “Merry everything that you celebrate!”

Command Sergeant Major Sylvia P. Laughlin of the Fort Hamilton U.S. Army Garrison said it was a privilege to be stationed in Bay Ridge. “Everyone brings something to the table. Everyone is important,” she said. “Love covers a multitude of sins.”