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Living Histories: Powers St. Mosque

Recently as part of the Core Seminar course, which combines foundations of students' internship experiences with scholarly discussions related to the workplace, Bard NYC students visited the Powers St. Mosque (right here in Williamsburg, Brooklyn!). The Powers St. Mosque, founded in 1931, represents the story of the Lipka Tartars from Belarus, Lithuania, and eastern Poland who settled in Williamsburg, which then cemented the mosque’s title as one of the oldest in the United States... 

Students were led on a tour by Alyssa Ratkewich, where they learned about the fascinating history of Tatar Muslims. Alyssa is the current caretaker of the building and drives down to the mosque from Long Island to give tours and take care of the mosque. Tatar Muslims originally settled in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 14th and 15th centuries for military service, gaining land and the right to freely practice Islam and thus uniquely becoming part of Poland’s multicultural heritage. The Tartars maintained their Muslim faith in Eastern Europe but slowly lost their language and adopted Polish or Belarusian, yet still maintained Arabic script writing and created a “Polish-Arabic” alphabet. Most Tatars resettled in modern Poland in the areas of Bialystok and Gdansk; yet in the early 20th century, members of the Tatar community immigrated to the United States where some established the enduring community preserving their Muslim faith and Polish-Lithuanian heritage. It is for this reason that Tatar Muslims may have names like Achmatowicz, blending Arabic roots with Polish linguistic endings.

The mosque is an unassuming former church located at 104 Powers St. at the intersection of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. In the 1880s, the Methodists hosted the building as a house of worship but were forced to sell it to a Democratic Party clubhouse due to a dwindling congregation. The Tartar community was able to salvage the building from the political party for purposes of constructing a mosque. Today, the interior of the mosque is still similar since its purchase in 1931 and the mosque is mainly open for special events like weddings or tours made in advance. The walls are occupied by framed paintings and calligraphy in framed paintings in Arabic and Cyrillic as well as replicated paintings to remind the Tartars of home in Eastern Europe. The wood wall has a replicated oak design to create an illusion of opulence. These preserved interior and cultural artifacts offer an insight into the Tartar’s traditions and their assimilation to life in New York.

Yet, the mosque still being open today is a time capsule and a rare reminder that Muslim Americans have been living in the United States for over a century. The Powers St. Mosque carries deep cultural significance, bridging the Tatar’s Muslim faith and Eastern European heritage with their American story, a remnant of what Williamsburg once was before its recent transformation. In its humble appearance, the stories of migration, faith, and resilience echo through generations of history.

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Jing-Yi (Fall '25) on the Internship Placement Process

Wondering what the internship search process really feels like? 

Meet Jing-Yi Sutherland, a senior at Bard College double majoring in Anthropology and Cello Performance. For Jing-Yi, Bard NYC is about more than just finding an internship—it’s about finding the right one and setting clear goals along the way. 
 

"One of the aspects of Bard NYC that isn’t talked about too much prior to being accepted into the program is the process of securing your internship. Before the semester begins, you’ll be paired with an advisor who guides you through the application process—sharing internship opportunities, helping craft cover letters, conducting interview prep, and supporting you every step of the way to secure a placement. Shoutout to Erica L. Kane for helping me to land my internship.

This semester, I’m interning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN USA), which advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through global collaboration in science, policy, and practice. As a Networks Program Intern at SDSN, I help support the design, coordination, and management of their network programs, partnerships, and major events. For example, this September, I helped support two major events leading up to the 80th UN General Assembly. And, with COP30 approaching in November I’ll be writing an op-ed for SDSN’s global website.

My best advice when choosing an internship is to pick one that aligns with your goals and interests—and once you’re there, ask questions, seek clarity, and make sure you’re learning, not just doing busywork. When my supervisor asked what I wanted to gain from my SDSN internship, it made me reflect on my goals. Don’t hesitate to ask for meaningful work or propose a project that benefits both you and the organization—you’re not just an asset to them; they’re an asset to you."

Post Date: 10-23-25

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Liza Nezhyva (BCB ‘27) at 80th UNGA

As part of her Bard NYC internship as an Advisor at the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, Liza Nezhyva ‘27 took part in the 80th Annual General Assembly of the United Nations. She assisted the Ukraine Mission by preparing for the official meetings of the Ukrainian delegation, attended the General Assembly Debates, and wrote reports on the statements of each state.

As part of her Bard NYC internship as an Advisor at the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, Liza Nezhyva ‘27 took part in the 80th Annual General Assembly of the United Nations. She assisted the Ukraine Mission by preparing for the official meetings of the Ukrainian delegation, attended the General Assembly Debates, and wrote reports on the statements of each state. Through her work, she had the opportunity to meet prominent figures including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock.

Liza says that experiencing the General Assembly gave her crucial insights into the functioning of supranational organizations: “For me the most valuable part was to see how the UN function from the inside, to see how delegates communicate with one another—how leaders and diplomats interact not only during formal debates but also informally in hallways and side meetings. I was surprised by how much relationship-building and subtle negotiation happens outside of the official session.”

In her day-to-day work as an Advisor, she monitors meetings of the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council committees and commissions, and drafts reports based on the outcomes of those meetings. Liza’s role does not end there; she also prepares speeches, notes, official letters, and invitations for the Ukraine Mission to the UN on legal and human rights topics. “If there are emergency meetings called at the UN or outside, I am asked to attend them or help with the organization as well,” she adds. 

For Liza, her career within politics and advocacy is inherently tied to her Ukrainian identity. “Generally, diplomatic work includes high stakes all the time, but for Ukraine, those stakes are even higher, as the amount of Ukraine’s visibility on the international stage directly correlates to Ukraine’s existence at this moment,” she explains. She had the opportunity to attend two high-level events dedicated to Ukraine, one concerning the return of the systematically deported Ukrainian children by Russia, and the other dedicated to advancing Ukraine’s territorial integrity and calling for the de-occupation of Crimea. During these events, she was able to witness first-hand how much effort it requires for Ukraine to keep its issues visible on the international agenda. “I have nothing but respect for Ukraine’s diplomats and activists,” she adds. 

Advocacy for Ukraine has always been deeply personal to her. “When the Russian aggression against Ukraine started, my world changed, and at 18, I suddenly had to figure out how I could do at least something to help my people who are now being killed daily, and still build a future for myself at the same time,” she explains. “I have decided to connect my future career with politics and advocacy, because this was the most useful and the most impactful way for me to actually help my country and protect my people from the Russian terror, without me leaving my life behind and going on the frontline as a volunteer.” Liza is determined to keep advocating for Ukraine through the diplomatic sphere. 

Post Date: 10-10-2025

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Internship Stories: Tyler Figueroa (BHSEC Brooklyn)

“Whenever a student needs help with anything they stop by and we work together to figure out a solution.”

"My internship is at Bard High School Early College in Brooklyn, New York. It just opened up this Fall, adding to the growing network of BHSEC programs across various boroughs in New York City. As a part of my internship, I work in the learning commons. Whenever a student needs help with anything they stop by and we work together to figure out a solution. Along with that, we also create events for the staff and students to partake in. Recently, with Hispanic Heritage Month coming to a close, we threw a school-wide Hispanic Heritage Month party. At this particular BHSEC location, we have a very large Hispanic community. So we wanted to have an event where individuals from different Hispanic backgrounds could come together and eat some good food while celebrating Hispanic culture. This was the first event ever thrown at Bard High School Early College in Brooklyn, and more than 90% of our student population showed up and participated in this event!"

—Tyler Figueroa, Bard College '26

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Time Traveling By Subway: Astoria, October 17, 2024

“It’s like stepping back in time to watch the hot bronze being poured as it has been done for thousands of years.”

Public Art in NYC: Histories & Practices recently made a field trip to Modern Art Foundry in Astoria, Queens. The foundry specializes in the traditional craft of lost-wax casting, the process by which an original sculpture is cast into bronze.

Our visit was timed to witness one of the twice-weekly bronze pours which takes place in a very warm, cavernous room with giant ovens baking molds. After watching a six-person team gracefully maneuver the cauldron with liquid bronze reaching 1,675 degrees Fahrenheit, Maddie Helford ’26 said “it’s like stepping back in time to watch the hot bronze being poured as it has been done for thousands of years”.

Many of the foundry’s clients are well known contemporary artists. During our visit, students observed works-in-progress of Louise Bourgeois, Keith Haring, Wangechi Mutu and Rachel Feinstein. One bronze sculpture that was cast at the foundry back in 1959 is famous for having millions of children climb on it - Alice in Wonderland by Jose De Creeft in Central Park.

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