Politics & Government

Hope Reichbach's Legacy: A Fund for Brooklyn Youth [VIDEO]

The Memorial Fund will provide stipends for underprivileged Brooklyn youth who take unpaid internships in public service.

In the heart of her hometown, a place she would have worked hard for had she not met an , the friends and family of Hope Reichbach celebrated her memory Thursday by launching a memorial fund in her name.

"It seems pretty clear to me, through this fund, we will see countless Hope Reichbach proteges," said Councilmember Steve Levin, Reichbach's boss, mentor and friend, in front of the at Borough Hall.

The launched this summer, and has already raised $50,000. The goal was to raise that much by the end of the year. Real estate developer and owner of the New Jersey Nets Bruce Ratner pledged to donate $15,000 a year for the next five years.

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The fund will provide stipends to Brooklyn college students taking unpaid summer internships in government or public service.

The event was attended by approximately 100 people, including a whose who in Brooklyn politics including Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assemblyman and Democratic Party Boss Vito Lopez, Comptroller John C. Liu, Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman and numerous judges.

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One of Reichbach's favorite community organizations, the Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band, kicked off the launching of the fund. (See video.)

Levin recalled the poignant metaphor Reichbach's rabbi, Joseph Potasnik of Congregation Mt. Sinai, made at her memorial service, when he likened Reichbach's life to Schubert's Unfinished Symphony. 

"How can something be a masterpiece and be unfinished? Over the past six months, it's become very clear to me what a masterpiece Hope's life was," said Levin. "Hope's masterpiece will remain unfinished, but it is our privilege and our honor to be able to play her music."


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