By COLlive reporter
Photo by Shimi Kutner
Among the thousands of people that attended the Global Rebbe Event in front of 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn on Monday night, there was an African-American man.
The expression on his face was of yearning and appreciation, similar to that of the many rabbis and Chassidim that were gathered there to mark the day of Gimmel Tammuz.
His name is Geoffrey A. Davis, a resident of Crown Heights and the founder and president at James E Davis Stop Violence Foundation. He too misses the Rebbe.
“(I) attended the annual inspiring memorial in memory of my childhood friend, Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson,” he wrote on his Facebook page, sharing a photo of himself captured by COLlive photographer Shimi Kutner.
“It was such an honor to have the opportunity to talk to the Rebbe when I was a child,” Davis wrote. “I love seeing the Crown Heights community and communities all over the world pay respect to his tremendous legacy.”
Davis indeed had a special connection with the Rebbe which began with his brother James E. Davis who served as a New York City Councilman until his tragic killing in 2003.
Geoffrey Davis was interviewed by JEM’s My Encounter documentary project and revealed that it was the Rebbe who was the original inspiration behind his brother’s life work with the non-profit organization, “Love Yourself, Stop the Violence,” dedicated to halting inner city gun crime and drug abuse.
To view photos and the full video of the event – click here
So beautiful. We should use it as an example…
Im friends with geoffrey davis mother as we work together in the board of elections. I know geoffrey davis and i knew his brother. One day as i sat on eastern pkwy outside 770 geoffrey davis mother told me this story. Her 2 sons were arguing over a ball when the rebbe came by. The rebbe told them both not to argue and gave them each a dollar. She remembers the rebbe fondly.
it was the most beautiful event!
That’s amazing
Heartwarming, This gives me chills.
So beautiful!
Beautiful thank you so much for sharing this with us
Rebbe, look upon us and see what wonderful things you have done to change the world and to spread the light! It makes me very happy to see these inspirational things!
We want Moshiach now !
Thanks for posting! This is the type of article I like seeing on Collive.com, interesting with toichen and without negativity.
I did notice a non-Jewish man in some of the event photos and now I know who. Schoyach!
So special to have a childhood memory of the Rebbe.
The Rebbe loved all of us, men, women, children, Jew or not . That’s true love
Thanks for sharing it with us.
that was just amazing and unbelievable/
it was beautiful event