UJO JOINED COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS AND HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS TO HIGHLIGHT $3 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR CITY'S HOUSING INITIATIVES

Rabbi David Niederman joined yesterday Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, the ANHD and housing organizations from across the city to highlight the expansion of the Council's $3 million community-based housing initiative. Photo Credit: Bodi Du/NYC Council

Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director, joined yesterday a rally organized by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee - together with the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD) and other housing organizations - highlighting the Council's funding for local housing initiatives. The following is a release about the event by Councilman Williams' office.   NEW YORK, NY: Yesterday, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), Deputy Leader and Chair of the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee, joined housing organizations funded by the Housing Preservation Initiative (HPI) and the Community Consultant Contracts (CCC) to highlight the $3 million allocated for housing initiatives across the city. This year, Council Member Williams secured more funding for community-based housing initiatives than ever before, in part to supplement the Mayor's Housing Plan.  HPI funding was increased to $2 million in order to expand the current program from 25 districts to include 15 new districts. This will cover 40 council districts where affordable housing is most at risk. CCC was restored and expanded to $1 million, reversing a 50% cut from recent years that had undermined the program's effectiveness. "As Chair of the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee, I am proud to announce that this year the City Council designated more money toward housing organizations than ever before," said Council Member Williams. "Organizations like the ones the City Council funded under HPI and CCC will help end  the affordable housing crisis that has plagued our city for far too long. I would like to thank the Administration, Speaker and Chair of the Council's Finance committee for placing housing initiatives as a priority, and would like to thank all of the organizations present today for your outstanding work within our city."   "Affordable housing is a crucial part of making New York City accessible to all of our residents," said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. "The City Council is proud to support  housing initiatives across the City and I thank Housing and Buildings Committee Chair Williams and my Council colleagues for their work to protect our City's affordable housing stock."   Neighborhoods across the city are threatened by a loss of affordable housing, a threat that is made even more severe by the current economic crisis. HPI is a proven, successful program that currently funds neighborhood-based groups in many City Council districts to address key threats to affordable housing. HPI has a bottom-up strategy that allows each funded community to develop and implement an effective approach to stop the loss of affordable housing. Since its inception, HPI has been extremely successful in protecting affordable housing and promoting neighborhood stabilization in needy districts. The key to the success of HPI is its flexibility to support neighborhood groups in the development of strategic, grassroots-based solutions that directly address the particular threat to affordable housing in each community.   The CCC initiative provides core funding for the front-line anti-eviction services that community groups provide in all parts of the city working to keep residents in their homes and build strong, vibrant neighborhoods. When a community resident is at-risk of eviction, or when a constituent-service staff person needs assistance with a case, they call the CCC-funded anti-eviction specialist at their local community group.   Last year alone, the HPI and CCC programs reached more than 14,000 residents across the city and provided counseling for more than 8,000 tenants and homeowners. These programs also provided over 4,000 referrals to needed city agency services and resources.    "Poor tenants from across Williamsburg, are taking in the brunt of gentrification, and are desperately looking for help not to lose the roof over their head. Programs like HPI and CCC enable us - and other organizations around the city - to come up with locally-tailored programs to protect tenants from eviction, and entire families from facing homelessness and destruction," said Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director. "We commend Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Housing Chair, and ANHD for fighting to expand funding to these programs which is desperately needed. Their actions will definitely protect the housing of families all around the city."   "Preserving safe and affordable housing is critical for all New Yorkers and for the future of our City," said  Carolyn Silver, Chief Program Officer of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. "We are grateful for the support of the City Council, which helps Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, and other community-based organizations, assist thousands of low income New Yorkers with housing-related needs, and we look forward to the continued efforts to expand access to housing and housing preservation services."    "HPI funding allows us to provide additional civil legal services to low income New Yorkers. Thank you New York City Council for funding this initiative," said Harvey Epstein, Director of Community Development Project for the Urban Justice Center.   "In Harlem, HCCI has been the vanguard for grassroots, affordable housing development," said Derek E. Broomes, President and CEO of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. "We fought to revitalize Harlem's Bradhurst neighborhood, before this was a sought-after enclave. And, we couldn't have done it without support from our elected officials. We are delighted to hear about our Governor's renewed commitment to this cause."     "Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC) has received HPI funding since FY2012 and it has been invaluable in supporting our work to prevent foreclosures, provide tenants rights information and resources, and otherwise preserve affordable housing in central Brooklyn. We thank the Council for their forward-thinking in providing this funding to BSDC and other organizations working to make it possible for families of modest means to afford housing in NYC," said Emilio Dorcely, President & CEO, Bridge Street Development Corporation.   "We at the Staten Island Center for Independent Living are very happy about the Mayor's Housing Initiative and the funding we recieved through the New York City Council," said John Mastellone, Executive Director of Staten Island Center for Independent Living. "Many of the individuals with disabilities that we serve are in desperate need of affordable housing and it is our hope that this initiative will go a long way towards assisting them in reaching their goal of being able to live comfortably in their own communities."   The following organizations received HPI funding for FY2015: Asian Americans for Equality; Good Old Lower East Side, Inc.; Urban Justice Center; Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation; Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation; West Harlem Group Assistance; Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corp.; New Settlement Apartments; Belmont Arthur Avenue Local Development Organization; MHANY Management, Inc.; Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica; Margaret Community Corporation; Churches United for Fair Housing; Pratt Area Community Council; Bridge Street Development Corporation; Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation; Ridgewood-Bushwick Senior Citizens Council; Neighbors Helping Neighbors; Fifth Avenue Committee; Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush; El Barrio's Operation Fightback; Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation; West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center, Inc; Make the Road NY Queens Community House; Neighborhood Housing Services North Bronx;  Chhaya CDC; St Nicks Alliance; Brooklyn Housing and Family Services; Agudath Israel of America Community Services, Inc; Catholic Migration Services; Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island; Northfield Community LDC   The following organizations received CCC funding for FY2015: Belmont Arthur Avenue Local Development Organization; Bridge Street Development Corporation; Brighton Neighborhood Association, Inc.; Brooklyn Housing and Family Services, Inc.; Central Astoria Local Development Coalition, Inc.; Clinton Housing Development Company, Inc.; Community League of the Heights, Inc.; El Barrio Operation Fight Back, Inc.; Eviction Intervention Services Homelessness Prevention, Inc.; Good Old Lower East Side, Inc.; Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation; Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation; Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc.; Housing Conservation Coordinators, Inc.; Housing Court Answers, Inc.; Hudson Guild; Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, Inc.; MFY Legal Services, Inc.; Neighborhood Housing Services of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc.; Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc.; Neighborhood Housing Services of the North Bronx, Inc.; Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush; Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation (NIDC); North Brooklyn Development Corporation; Northfield Community LDC of Staten Island, Inc.; Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition for Sistas and Brothas United; Peoples Firehouse, Inc.; Queens Community House, Inc.; Queensboro Council for Social Welfare, Inc.; Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, Inc.; Staten Island Center for Independent Living, Inc.; Strycker's Bay Neighborhood Council, Inc.; United Jewish Council of the East Side, Inc.; Urban Justice Center; West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center, Inc.; West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, Inc.; Woodside on the Move, Inc.

September 5, 2014 (4): Governor Cuomo Signed “Expedited Missing Persons Identification Act”; Initiated by UJO; Intorduced by Assemblyman Lentol and Sponsored in the Senate by Senator Squadron

Finally, the September 5 issue (p.57) reported on the signing by Governor Cuomo of the Expedited Missing Persons Identification Act.

You can read the UJO English Press Release about it here, and also a Daily News article here.

UJO Column, September 5, 2014 by United Jewish Column

September 5, 2014 (3): 2,000 Nourisihing Lunches Distributed for Children by UJO, Met Council, Jewish Education Project and Dept. of Education

The third item of September 5 (p.34 left, continued on p.93) reported on the successful distribution of 2,000 summer free kosher meals in Williamsburg by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty (“Met Council”), The Jewish Education Project, and the New York City Department of Education, together with the UJO of Williamsburg.

The article also includes the following information and statements from the press release about the event:

Kosher Summer Meals was launched in 2012 to help low-income families provide nutritious meals for their children during the last week of summer, when children lack access to meals they ordinarily receive through school or camp. The program mirrors the Citywide Summer Meals program, while acknowledging the needs of kids who keep kosher. The program was created in response to the alarming number of children living in poor Jewish households. In Brooklyn alone, there are 168,800 poor and near-poor Jewish households with children, and 45% of all children in the New York City area live in households that are at or near the poverty line.

“In New York City, there are one-half million poor and near poor Jewish New Yorkers who struggle to feed their family every day,” said David M. Frankel, CEO and Executive Director of Met Council. “This year’s summer meals helped families feed their children nutritious meals that otherwise would have been cost prohibitive. We thank the generosity of our donor and the hard work of our partners: Chancellor Farina and the New York City Department of Education, Rabbi Schloss and The Jewish Education Project, Rabbi Niederman and UJO of Williamsburg and, Rabbi Silber and the JCC of Boro Park.

“It’s truly inspirational to be part of this multi-agency collaboration serving the common good,” said Rabbi Dr. Martin A. Schloss, Director of Government Relations & General Studies, at The Jewish Education Project. “There is no better way to prepare for the New Year.”

“The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg is very happy to join together with our great partners at Met Council and The Jewish Education Project to once again bring kosher lunches to children in Williamsburg,” Rabbi David Niederman, President of The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn. “The meals being distributed this week help some of the community’s poorest children have a satisfying and nutritious meal when camp is over and before schools start.”

“It is most gratifying coming back every year and seeing our neighborhood children enjoying a good nutritious lunch in the park, especially this week when most camps have ended and school has not yet begun” said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Executive Director of Boro Park Jewish Community Council. “I am most grateful to our partners in this project for their ongoing support.”

“I’m thrilled to be a partner in providing 4,000 free kosher lunches to children in need,” said Council Member Stephen Levin. “It is unacceptable for any child to go hungry, and I am excited that this partnership is working together to ensure our children have nutritious meals. My thanks and gratitude goes out to Chancellor Farina and the Department of Education, David Frankel and Met Council, Rabbi Niederman and UJO of Williamsburg, Rabbi Schloss and The Jewish Education Project, and Rabbi Silber and the JCC of Boro Park.”

“Access to nutritious food is vital to the health and success of our City’s children, yet so many families are unable to afford it,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “I am grateful to the Metropolitan Council, the Jewish Education Council, the Department of Education, the UJO of Williamsburg and the Jewish Community Council of Boro Park for spearheading this effort, so that families who keep kosher can start the school year off right.”

“I would like to thank the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, the Met Council, the Jewish Community Council of Boro Park, The Jewish Education Project and the NYC Board of Education for dedicating their time and resources to this great cause,” said Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol. “Throughout New York City, families struggle to put food on their table every night, it’s programs and events like these that provide much-needed help for those less fortunate. As we all know, the mind doesn’t work without food, so this program will satisfy these children’s bellies as well as their creative minds.”

UJO Column, September 5, 2014 by United Jewish Column

September 5, 2014 Column (2): Changes in SSI Payments, Starting in October

The second item (p. lower right) notified SSI recipients that starting October, their monthly benefit will come in two payments: one from the federal government and one from the State, though their total benefit amount won't change.

The following is a Press Release of the State's OTDA explaining the change:

https://otda.ny.gov/news/2014/2014-09-26.asp

Most Recipients to Begin Receiving Two Monthly Payments Instead of One


September 26, 2014 - The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today reminded Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients that most will see a change in how they receive their monthly benefits beginning October 1, 2014. SSIprovides financial support to eligible aged, blind or disabled individuals to help meet their basic needs. This change in program administration will not impact the SSI benefit amount someone receives.
What is changing?


Beginning October 1, eligible New Yorkers will receive two benefit payments instead of one payment. One payment will come from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and one payment will come from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) SSI State Supplement Program (SSP). Recipients will continue to receive the same total amount each month and will continue to receive payments at the same time of the month and in the same way they currently do, either by direct deposit or check.
How were payments made in the past?


Prior to October 1, 2014, the U.S. Social Security Administration sent monthly SSI payments to recipients, which were comprised of both a federally-funded SSI benefit and a state-funded SSP benefit.
Why is the State making this change?


New York State will realize significant savings each year by having OTDA administer the SSP benefits directly instead of paying the U.S. Social Security Administration to administer this program on its behalf.


“OTDA is deeply appreciative of the collaboration with the Office of the State Comptroller, the Statewide Financial System, the State Treasury, and the Office of Information Technology Services in bringing this initiative to fruition,” said OTDA Commissioner Kristin M. Proud. “The State expects to save approximately $90 million annually by taking over the administration of the SSI State Supplement Program from the Federal Government.”
How were SSI recipients notified of the change?


In August, OTDA mailed letters to SSP recipients notifying them of the change. SSA also mailed a notification to SSI recipients in New York State which provided recipients with their new federal benefit amount.
For more details:


More information about this change may be found at www.otda.ny.gov/programs/ssp or by calling toll-free 1-855-488-0541 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Answers to frequently asked questions may be found athttp://otda.ny.gov/programs/ssp/transition.asp.

 

UJO Column, September 5, 2014 by United Jewish Column

September 5, 2014: NYCHA Changes 'Downsizing' Policy that Forced Elderly Public Housing Residents to Relocate to Smaller Apartments

The UJO column of September 5th (front page headline, top item on p.34, and continued on p.92)  reported on a change in the New York City Housing Authority's policy in regards to "downsizing" apartments when there is a reduction in the family size. This policy adversely affected elderly residents in the Williamsburg Public Housing developments, who were forced to relocate to smaller apartments after their family shrank, and the change means major relief for such families.

The settlement was reached with the Legal-Services NYC-Bronx, which filed a lawsuit against the policy in 2012. Among the agreement provisions are the following:

* Residents of apartments that are not extremely under-occupied - i.e. they have only one additional bedroom above the guidelines - will not be forced to relocate.

* NYCHA will have to respond promptly and in writing to requests to add additional residents to the household.

* Requests from tenants to accommodate their special needs, due to their health situations etc., will have to be reviewed and honored if substantiated. Also, tenants who are fit to relocate, may request a floor and location that shouldn't add special hardship, considering their health condition.

* Tenants may request that the alternative department that they are offered should be in the same development where they reside, or another specific development of their choosing.

* When ordered to relocate, families have 14 days to start a Grievance procedure to appeal the order.

"This is yet one more unjust policy that the de Blasio Administration agreed to end, rather than fighting in court to continue with a bureaucratic process that caused hardship to many families, especially the elderly," Said Rabbi David Niederman. "We commend the administration for instituting more accommodating policies that takes in consideration the clients. That reflects the Mayor's compassion towards those depending on government assistance. We will - Go-d willing - work with families effected by "downsizing" to ensure their rights."  

  

UJO Column, September 5, 2014

UJO of Williamsburg Initiated Bill, in Response to Menachem Stark Case, Signed into Law by Governor Cuomo Today

“Expedited Missing Persons Identification Act” introduced in Williamsburg, clears final step; UJO thanks Governor, and Lead-Sponsors Assemblyman Lentol and Senator Squadron for Passing this Important Legislation

In response to Governor Andrew Cuomo signing the “Expedited Missing Persons Identification Act” into law today, Rabbi David Niederman, President of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn said:

“In the aftermath of the kidnapping and murder of Menachem Stark, it became clear that more could be done to help law enforcement make swifter identifications of unidentified deceased individuals, assisting in criminal investigations, and at the same time help the families of missing persons receive final word about their relative. The law will help investigators obtain vital information that may lead towards the immediate apprehension of the perpetrators, and it will also ensure that the body is treated with respect and dignity, according to the wishes of the family.

The UJO was proud to have started this effort with Williamsburg legislators Assemblyman Joseph Lentol and State Senator Daniel Squadron who announced the introduction of the Bill in March at the UJO and led this undertaking to ensure its swift passage in the State Legislature. We are grateful for Governor Cuomo’s leadership on this issue, and to Assemblyman Lentol and Senator Squadron for their tireless work to pass the bill. We hope and pray that no other New York family endures the excruciating pain of not knowing the fate of their loved one.”

For previous news releases on the bill and its introduction see: 

http://ujocolumn.blogspot.com/2014/06/ujo-commends-nys-legislature-for.html

Governor Cuomo’s Release is included below:

http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/09032014-missing-persons-id-act 

State of New York | Executive Chamber
Andrew M. Cuomo | Governor
For Immediate Release: September 3, 2014

GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS EXPEDITED MISSING PERSONS' IDENTIFICATION ACT

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a bill that will enhance law enforcement efforts to identify previously unknown deceased persons. The bill (A9006, S6750) will require that the state Division of Criminal Justice Services provide local law enforcement agencies with personal descriptions and other identifying information of unidentified deceased persons. This legislation allows this information to be accessed by all New York law enforcement agencies and also to agencies outside of the State by request.

“This new law strengthens the State’s partnership with local law enforcement agencies as they seek to identify unknown deceased persons, ultimately helping to bring closure to families and friends who have lost someone they love,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am proud to sign this bill into law today, and I thank Senator Squadron and Assemblyman Lentol for their work on this issue.”

Whenever DCJS receives fingerprints of an unidentified deceased individual, those prints are routinely searched against its database of fingerprints to see whether a match can be made. Identifying information about those individuals, such as gender, race, height and weight, also is compared to records of missing persons.

If a match occurs to a fingerprint or a missing persons record, DCJS will notify the agency that submitted the fingerprints of the individual’s identity. Even if no match occurs, the bill signed today requires DCJS to promptly make available key identifiers, such as personal information, descriptions and fingerprints, to all law enforcement agencies in the State through a secure, online portal and to non-New York State agencies upon request.

Upon accessing that information, law enforcement agencies then can compare the identification information to their own files of missing persons, reducing the time it takes to make a proper identification and ultimately bringing important closure to the grieving family and community of the deceased.

Senator Daniel Squadron said, "Prompt notification can't undo a tragedy, but it can help families find closure and streamline the investigation. This bill is an important step in making the system work better for both families and law enforcement. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing it into law."

Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol said, “When I was alerted by affected members of my community to delays in the identification of the remains of missing persons, I knew that a remedy could not be delayed. Within weeks we built a coalition of legislative and community support around a concise and targeted piece of legislation. With his signature today, Governor Cuomo will implement a law that not only will increase the speed of investigations, but will also bring closure to families who have lost their loved ones in tragedies.”

Michael C. Green, executive deputy commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services said, “The pain and uncertainty of not knowing what may have happened to a missing loved one are something I witnessed when I served as a District Attorney. This legislation will help to improve the process of identifying a deceased person, potentially assisting law enforcement in solving crime and helping a family be able to know for sure what became of their missing family member and to find some measure of closure.”

There are currently a total of 681 active cases of unidentified individuals who have died in New York State, with the oldest active record on file dating back to 1969. There also are a total of 4,483 active missing persons records in the State, with the oldest of those being from 1977.

Photo: Assemblyman Lentol Announcing the introduction of the bill at the UJO, in March, with Senator Squadron, Borough President Eric Adams, Councilman Stephen Levin, and Rabbi David Niederman

UJO Column, August 29, 2014 (2): UJO Meeting with Assembly Delegation to Discuss Assistance for the Preservation of Cemeteries

Last week's column (pages 32 and 88) also reported on meeting at the UJO with Williamsburg Assemblyman Joe Lentol and his colleagues Steve Cymbrowitz (Brooklyn) and Kevin Cahill (Ulster, Dutchess) to discuss how they could assist in the cemetery preservation efforts abroad, especially in Turkey, a country where the visiting Assemblymen have deep ties and contacts.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Richard Altabe, a descendant from Gallipoli, Turkey, whose ancestors are interred in the city's Jewish cemetery. The Assemblymembers discussed strategies how to pursue the preservation of the cemetery.

"I express my profound thanks to Assemblyman Lentol for his dedicate assistance, always, for the area and Jewish interests, and for facilitating this meeting," said Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director.  

"I'm very thankful for the renown Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz who is a special friend to all Jewish interests in Albany, and the same to Assemblyman Kevin Cahill who traveled the long way from Kingston to assist in preserving the holy places. Their commitment and willingness to to work on protecting this holy place is extraordinary."

August 29, 2014, Der Yid and UJO Column by United Jewish Column

UJO Column, August 29, 2014: Williamsburg Khila Leaders and Askunim Meet with Governor Cuomo's Running-mate at the UJO

Last week's UJO Column prominently covered the visit of Governor Cuomo's Running-mate, Kathy Hochul, to the UJO, and discussing important issues to the community, including: religious freedom; the unbearable Housing situation; Unjust Condo Tax Formula.

Ms Hochul spoke of her background in public service and private sectors. She was impressed to hear the of UJO's Assistance with Health Care Enrollments, that led to an invitation to celebrate with President Obama in the White House 8 million enrollments under the Affordable Care Act. She was also briefed on on the UJO Workforce Development Classes and Interest-free Micro-Loans for Small-Businesses, expressing her commitment to such assistance to help families become self sufficient.

The meeting was attended by the leaders of Satmar, Pupa and other major communities, and Ms. Hochul was accompanied by Mr. David Lobl, Liaison to the Governor. The leaders were especially impressed by Ms. Hochul's respect and commitment to the Community's traditions. The community leader's deeply thanked her for coming to listen to the community's needs and interests, and are looking forward to have her back on a tour in the community in the future.

August 29, 2014, Der Yid and UJO Column by United Jewish Column

Der Yid, August 29, 2014: Slovakian Ambassador at Meeting with Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem to Discuss Cemetery Preservation; Rabbi Niederman Reporting on Ongoing Preservation Efforts

This week's Der Yid (pages 8 and 76) had an elaborate report on the meeting at the residence of the Chief Rabbi of the Eda Haredit of Jerusalem, the esteemed Rabbi Weiss Shlita, and the Slovakian Ambassador, His Excellency Radovan Javorcik. Rabbi Niederman traveled to Israel - on the invitation of the Chief Rabbi - to participate at the meeting and report on the ongoing preservation efforts, and his personal trips, together with Rabbi Kalmanowit of Asra Kadisha, to intervene with the authorities on these issues.

The meeting comes on the heels of a meeting at the Chief Rabbi's residence with the President of the EU's European Commission President H.E. José Manuel Barroso, in which the Chief Rabbi appealed for his assistance in the cemetery preservation efforts, and a subsequent meeting in Brussels attended by Rabbi Niederman to further discuss these and other issues.

Below also find detailed coverage of the meeting in the Jerusalem weekly publication of the Eda Haredit, Hueida.

August 29, 2014, Der Yid and UJO Column by United Jewish Column
The meeting was also covered in Jerusalem's Hueida, the weekly publication of the Eda Haredit.

Jerusalem's Hueida on the Meeting between the Chief Rabbi and Slovakian Ambassador

August 22, 2014 (Item 3): UJO to Distribute Free Lunches for Children

The third item in the August 22 Column (in the shaded box) reported that during the upcoming week - when many children are already home from Summer Camp or Day Camp but the schools have yet to start - the UJO will distribute daily free lunches, in a joint project with MET COUNCIL, THE JEWISH EDUCATION PROJECT AND THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

UJO Weekly Column, August 22, 2014

August 22, 2014 (Item 2): NYC Housing Authority and Elected Officials Attend Impressive Taylor-Wythe and Independence 'Family Day'

- Event organized by the Tenant Association; Tribute to Lt. Ambelas who Passed Away Fighting a Blaze at the Development; Rabbi David Niederman Announces Plan to Name Skillman between Flushing and Park Avenues in Memory of Lt. Ambelas -

The second item of the August 22, 2014 Column reported on the beautiful and well-attended NYCHA Annual Family Day at the Taylor-Wythe and Independence Towers, that took place on Sunday, August 17. This year's event included a tribute to Lt. Ambelas, who passed away in the beginning of summer while attempting to rescue lives from a blaze at the development. The tragedy happened just ten days after the UJO and Rabbi Niederman - together with FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro - honored the Lieutenant for rescuing 7 years old Mendy Gottlieb when he was strangled high in the air in a garage gate on Skillman St.

The Tenant Associations leader, Rabbi Chaim Babad, as well as Rabbi Shlomo Liezer, and the Rabbi Joel Gross. 

It was a special privilege to hear from the NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. Also joining were NYCHA's Legislative and Intergovernmental Director Brian Honan; Borough President Eric Adams gave an arousing speech; residents heard from Assemblyman Joe Lentol; State Senator Marty Dilan; and from representatives of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Councilman Stephen Levin.

Rabbi Niederman delivered remarks, telling the crowd:

"What a nice and big family! It is beautiful to see the gorgeous mosaic of NYCHA, where families of all religions, race and ethnicity live together in peace and harmony – the best embodiment of our great and diverse city. This demonstrates that the horrible act that we have experienced when a mezuzah was desecrated was an isolated incident, probably from an outsider. We are all one community and one family.

Standing together with Abraham Gottlied, the father of Mendy, and FDNY colleagues of the late Lt. Ambelas, Rabbi Nidrman suggested "to perpetuate the memory of our hero Lieutenant Ambelas, by naming the location of that rescue – Skillman Street Between Flushing and Franklin - the Lt. Ambelas Way, to honor the Lieutenant’s memory." The proposal was greeted with warm approval, and Councilman Stephen Levin is enthusiastically to work on passing it.

 

UJO Weekly Column, August 22, 2014

UJO Encourages Residents to Cooperate with the CDC National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

- Study is Important to Identify Health Issues and to Prevent and Treat Health Issues -

The top item in the August 22nd Column, notifies residents that the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, that surveys vital health and nutrition information of about 5,000 persons nationally, is currently conducting surveys in Brooklyn. Those who are randomly selected as possible recipients, are first asked to respond to basic questions to determine if they fit the sample needed. If they do, they are asked to answer a questionnaire and are examined in a CDC Mobile Center that is located in Downtown Brooklyn.

The study was last conducted in Brooklyn ten years ago, and it is an important tool to inform health decisions and policies. The study will include 425 Brooklynites. Some parts of the questions were presented to the UJO to ensure that they are appropriate for the community. Participants will also be paid a $125 stipend for completing the survey. They will also receive $30 for a transportation allowance.

The study will be conducted in Brooklyn until October 7th. The article goes on to explain the study's benefits.

The UJO calls those who are contacted by the CDC to work with them, by answering the questions and have the exams done. They are helping themselves, and are contributing to the general health situation nationally. 

UJO Weekly Column, August 22, 2014

August 15, 2014 (2): Councilman Levin and Assemblyman Lentol's Office Discuss Traffic Improvements to Wallabout and Flushing with Residents and Store Owners at UJO Meeting

The second item in last week's column reported on a meeting, arranged by the UJO, with residents, store owners and other stakeholders from Wallabout St. and Flushing Avenue area to discuss the current traffic bottleneck in the area and the resulting safety concerns.

Councilman Levin (pictured over a map with a Flushing Ave. store-owner) and a representative of Assemblyman Lentol's office attended the meeting. They had a thorough discussions of the issues and on the improvements that are needed. They will work with the DOT to implement the proposed solutions for the safety and better traffic flow in the area.

The UJO expresses its thanks to Councilman Levin for his personal participation and for delving into the issue, and for Assemblyman Lentol for joining on he issue. A special thanks goes to Pesach Tikva for providing space for the meeting on Wallabout St., as a service for the area.

Here is an earlier article on the issue:

http://ujocolumn.blogspot.com/2014/06/june-13-2014-column-second-chance-for.html

UJO Column, August 15, 2014

August 15, 2014: UJO Applauds President Obama for Signing "The Protect Cemeteries Act"; Rabbi David Niederman Commens Congresswoman Meng for Spearheading the Legislation

This week's UJO Column (p. 20 Top Item), applauded President Obama for signing "The Protect Cemeteries Act," and thanked Rep. Grace Meng, for spearheading the bill in Congress, and it's Lead Senate Sponsor Senator Ben Cardin, together with a number of others who helped pass the bill.

In addition, the Editorial page of this week's Der Yid (p.15, bottom item) lauded the bill, stressing that it's rare that a legislation is crafted solely after interventions by the community should reach the cemetery's desk, and this is highly commendable.

Here is an English version of the article:

Williamsburg – The UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn thanks and applauds President Obama for signing in into law "The Protect Cemeteries Act" (H.R. 4208) which amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include the desecration of cemeteries among the many forms of violations of the right to religious freedom. Special credit goes to Congresswoman Grace Meng, who spearheaded this law in Congress, and Senator Ben Cardin, the Sponsor of an identical Senate version.

The issue of cemetery preservations is one that is very dear to the Williamsburg Jewish community, one that was formed by Holocaust survivors and came to the United States and started to rebuild the community from scratch. The cemeteries of their ancestors are among the only and the holiest things that they left behind them in the Eastern Europe towns and villages. As time passes on, these holy links to our past are more and more threatened by greedy developers and others, sometimes with clear anti-Semitic intentions. The Williamsburg Community is working for decades to stop the decimation of the holy cemeteries globally. As part of these efforts, the late Congressman Stephen Solarz of Williamsburg heeded the call of the community and passed a law to establish the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad – a panel appointed by the president - that is active in preserving cemeteries and other landmarks overseas.

"The Protect Cemeteries Act" will add an important tool in the arsenal for the protecting of the Jewish cemeteries. Rep. Meng was personally thanked her for that by Rabbi Niederman today, at an event arranged by the Vaad Harabubim of Queens at the Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehabilitation Center to mark the passage of the law. Congresswoman Meng thanked Dr. Bernard Fryshman, leader of the Conference of Academicians for the Protection of Jewish Cemeteries that works very closely with Asra Kadisha on the preservation of cemeteries, who was advocating for such a bill since 2007, and the brothers Rabbi Pinchas Hecht, Executive Director of the Mir Yeshiva, and Rabbi Avrohom Hecht of the Vaad Harabunim of Queens, for bringing it to her attention.

The article also quotes Congresswoman Meng:

“I applaud President Obama for signing this important bipartisan legislation into law,” said Meng. “This new law makes it clear that that our society will not tolerate the desecration of cemeteries whether motivated by anti-Semitism, hate or greedy and uncaring developers. It will be a new and critical tool to combat the desecration of cemeteries, and provide a much needed boost towards promoting preservation, tolerance and respect for cemeteries across the globe. I cannot be happier that this critical piece of legislation is now the law of the land. Many thanks to Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) for handling the measure in the Senate, and I commend all my colleagues in both chambers who supported it.”

Rabbi Niederman said:

"I was excited to be told by Congresswoman Meng today that the President has signed this important bill on Friday, and I expressed to her the appreciation of a grateful Williamsburg community for leading this effort. We are also thankful to Senator Cardin for his work in the Senate. Additionally we want to thank our Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, for co-sponsoring the bill together with Representatives Doug Collins (R-GA) and Alan S. Lowenthal (D-CA), and to our local Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez for strongly supporting this bill in the House, and for Senator James E. Risch (R-ID) for co-sponsoring it in the Senate. We especially want to express our appreciation for Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for ensuring that the bill comes to a vote in the House, and for the Senate Foreign Relation Committee, its Chair Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN), for passing it in the Senate.” 

“We hope and pray that countries around the world will allow the Jews buried there to rest in peace for eternity, but in cases that they G-d forbid don't, this bill helps the U.S. government act for those that cannot,” Rabbi Niederman concluded.

UJO Column, August 15, 2014

STATEMENT OF PLAINTIFFS CENTRAL RABBINICAL CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES & CANADA, AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA, AND INTERNATIONAL BRIS ASSOCIATION, ON US COURT OF APPEALS RULING IN METZITZAH B'PEH CASE

The plaintiff organizations in the federal legal challenge against the New York City Health Department's regulation governing metzitzah b'peh issued the following statement upon the US Court of Appeals' ruling earlier today reversing a federal district court's upholding of the regulation.  

Today's ruling is a great victory -- not only for those whose religious rights are directly infringed by the Bloomberg Administration's regulation of metzitzah b'peh, but for all Americans who cherish religious freedom.

The Court of Appeals correctly recognized that the regulation we have challenged "purposely and exclusively targets a religious practice for special burdens"; and that it "pertains to religious conduct associated with a small percentage of HSV infection cases among infants, while leaving secular conduct associated with a larger percentage of such infection unaddressed." Under circumstances like these, where a religious practice is singled out for special regulation, the regulation must be subject to "strict scrutiny." The Court of Appeals has thus reaffirmed that the First Amendment's guaranty of a person's right to free exercise of religion is entitled to the very highest level of constitutional protection.

The plaintiffs are deeply gratified by today's ruling, and are hopeful that the regulation will either be withdrawn at this time or declared unconstitutional in any further court proceedings. We will continue to do all in our power to ensure that mohalim continue to adhere to the highest standards of safety and hygiene in carrying out their religious mission, and we reiterate our longstanding readiness to work together with health officials to protect our children's health while fully respecting and accommodating our religious practice.  

We thank our lawyers, the Jones Day law firm, for the wonderful job they have done in advocating our constitutional freedoms; and we express our appreciation to the two groups who submitted amicus curiae briefs in support of our legal position: the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and Alliance Defending Freedom. 

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August 8, 2014 Column (2): Bill to Classify Desecration of a Cemetery as a Religious Freedom Violation Passed in Senate; UJO Thanks Rep. Meng and Senator Cardin

The second item of last week's column reported on the U.S. Senate passing of the Protect Cemeteries Act, that was introduced and passed by Congresswoman Grace Meng in the House of Representatives. The law, that will Classify the desecration of cemeteries as a Religious Freedom Violation, will be a vital tool to assist in the effort to protect cemeteries internationally.

The law follows years of work by Dr. Bernard Fryshman, Chairman of the Conference of Academicians for the Protection of Jewish Cemeteries, who advocated for such a measure, pointing out that desecration cemeteries is indeed a gross violation of the religious freedoms of those interred in the cemeteries and the Jewish people. Rabbi Pinchos Hecht, Administrator of the Mir Yeshiva, and his brother Rabbi Avrohom Hecht, Executive Director of the Canarsie Jewish Community Council, and other community leaders, were very active in calling for such legislation. 

Congresswoman Meng, a tireless advocate for Jewish interests, took up the issue, and now succeeded to get it passed in the House and the Senate (the Senate passed the House Resolution, instead of an own version of the bill) and it's heading to the President for his signature. The law will include the desecration of cemeteries among a list of religious issues that the Department of State monitors and report on in their annual Religious Freedom reports. 

In statements to announce the bill, Rep. Meng specifically mentioned the importance of such a law to preserve Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe from where the Jewish communities were uprooted during the holocaust, leaving the cemeteries without caretakers and protection. She also said that the amendment will strengthen the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, created by a law passed by the late Congressman Steve Solarz. Solarz represented the Williamsburg Jewish community, and passed this law on the urging of the late Rabbi Zvi Kastenbaum, who served on the commission for many years. During a reception earlier in the year in Williamsburg by the UJO for Lesley Weiss, the Commission Chair, and Commissioner Herbert Bloch - participated by the leaders of the main congregations in Williamsburg, Asra Kadisha and others - Rabbi Pinchs Hecht discussed the effort to pass the amendment and its importance. 

"We express our heart-felt thanks to our dedicated co-worker Dr. Bernard Fryshman, for his long-lasting effort to get governments to recognized the importance of the preservation of cemeteries. I also want to express my hearty appreciation to Rabbi Hecht and all dedicated activists who helped bring upon this law, that will hopefully assist in the ongoing efforts for the preservation of cemeteries worldwide," said Rabbi Lazar Stern, Chairman of Asra Kadisha (the world-renown organization that is active for half a century to protect Jewish cemeteries worldwide, and their efforts were  mentioned in Department of State's Religious Freedom reports in the past here). 

"I thank the Congresswoman for introducing and pass the important piece of legislation. We thank Senator Cardin for sponsoring the law in Senate. We thank Congressman Jeffries of Williamsburg for co-sponsoring the law, and we look forward for the signage of the law by the President," said Rabbi David Niederman.

"Congresswoman Meng's law will - with Go-d's help - tremendously assist to convince governments to provide the required protection to cemeteries from developers and other interests, and will strengthen the hands of activists and the Heritage Commission's power to save cemeteries," Rabbi Niederman concluded. 

UJO Weekly Column, August 18, 2014

August 8, 2014 Column: Parents Should Fully Comply with Department of Health's Required Immunizations and Submit all Required Records to the Schools

Last week's column alerted parents to the importance of ensuring that there children are fully up-to-date with their immunizations, according to the Department of Health's requirements, and to submit their children's Immunization Record, confirming full compliance, to the schools, before the upcoming school years, as required by law.

Last years' Measles outbreak - that started from an unvaccinated family coming from overseas - mainly effected children who weren't up-to-date with their vaccination. That demonstrated the importance of ensuring that all children are receiving their vaccinations on time, according to the Department of Health's schedule. It helps protect their own children and other kids, by stopping the spread of diseases, some of which pose a life-danger. By keeping to the vaccinations schedule, one fulfill the commandment in the Torah of "V'nishmartem Meod L'nafshoseichem," you shall be very protective of your lives.

Parents have to ensure that they submit the Immunization and Health Records - showing full compliance - to the school, because schools are routinely audited and face hefty fines for enrolling students without obtaining their records and ensuring that they are up to dates with their shots.

The article also advises parents that the Immunization Requirements and schedules were updated, and that their younger children may be subjected to a different schedules than their older ones - i.e., they may need more shots or more frequent doses. Parents are advise to double check with their pediatricians if their children are due for vaccinations under the Department of Health Schedule for the upcoming school year, especially if their schools advise them that they miss some shots.

"By fully complying with the regulations, one helps ensure the health of the children, while making easier for themselves (by having their children accepted to their schools without delay), as well as ensuring that the educational institutions don't face huge fines and more consequences," the article concludes.

UJO Weekly Column, August 18, 2014

August 1, 2014 Column (2): Councilman Chaim Deutsch Got the Dismissal of Numerous Tickets on B44 Bus Lane

UJO thanks Councilman Deutsch for the dismissal of tickets on bus lane running up to Williamsburg; Saved thousands of dollars in fines

The second item this week (page 34) covers the successful effort by Councilman Chaim Deutsch to get the DOT to dismiss multiple tickets, to the tune of thousands of dollars, that motorists received at once for entering the B44 bus lane during several months.

Councilman Deutsch, who is known for his common sense legislations, spoke out and contacted the DOT to dismiss these tickets, saying that dismissal is "common sense... Getting summonses three months later is not normal.”

Thanks to his efforts, the city has agreed to dismiss all but a drivers’ first violation from March 17 to July 25 — and drivers who have already paid multiple tickets can expect a refund.

"I am gratified by today's decision...  I commend Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, of the Department of Transportation, for her leadership and I thank the Department of Finance for their collaboration in making the right decision in this case," Councilman Deutsch said in a statement on Monday. 

The article notes that Williamsburg residents were also effected by this delayed ticketing blitz, especially because the dedicated bus lane goes all the way up to Flushing Avenue in Williamsburg (crossing Flushing, though, the lanes are shared with the regular traffic). According to Councilman Deutsch, his office was already contacted by over 40 people effected by multiple tickets. Those with similar issues who want to ensure that their tickets are dismissed or refunded, should contact Deutsch's office at 718.368.9176.

"I thank Councilman Chaim Deutsch for getting the dismissal of these tickets, that also effected several streets in the extended Williamsburg area, past Flushing Avenue," said Rabbi David Niederman. "Chaim's energy when it comes to fight for fairness is extraordinary."

For more on the story you can visit:

http://www.sheepsheadbites.com/2014/07/city-agrees-nix-nostrand-ave-bus-lane-violations-finding-backlog-heres-fight-ticket/

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/37/31/all-update-bus-lane-ticket-blitz-2014-08-01-bk_37_31.html

UJO Column, August 1, 2014

August 1 Column: Senator Gillibrand Gets VA to Remove Cross from Jewish Veteran's Grave and Replace it with Appropriate Tombstone

This week's UJO column in Der Yid covered in great length Senator Gillibrand's successful efforts to ensure that a Jewish veteran gets an appropriate grave stone after almost 50 years that he had a headstone with a cross. The issue was brought to the Senator's attention by UJO President Rabbi David Niederman, after he was contacted about it by Rabbi Abraham Richter, Director of Chabad of Howard Beach in New York who serves as the Supervisory Chaplain in the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, NY.

Rabbis Niederman and Richter work closely together on the accommodation of prisoner's religious needs. During the Memorial Day Weekend, Rabbi Richter discovered that the grave of his relative, Henry Dienstein, a Jewish World War II soldier, was marked with a Christian cross. Rabbi Richter reached out to Rabbi Niederman, who reached out to Senator Gillibrand. 

Mr. Dienstein passed away June 17, 1964.  When the rabbi noticed the clear mistaken gravestone, it was less than a month shy of a half century of his passing, while the VA prohibits any changes to headstones after 50 years. Senator Gillibrand expedited Rabbi Richter’s case with the VA, working closely with Rabbis Niederman and Richter and the decedent’s next-of-kin to provide appropriate paperwork and evidence and immediately requested a proper headstone. The VA approved Gillibrand’s request and recently replaced Mr. Dienstein’s headstone with one bearing the Star of David.

The article is also accompanied by documents and a photo - discovered by Rabbi Ricther - proofing that Henry Dienstein and his family were Religious Jews. 

It notes that the Senator's staff responded to the issue during the holiday weekend.

“We pay tribute to Mr. Dienstein’s courageous service in defense of our nation in World War II,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This headstone will ensure that Mr. Dienstein’s memory is rightly honored.”

 “Nearly half a century passed before one of our prized World War 2 veterans, Henry Dienstein, received his final farewell which appropriately reflects his Jewish faith. We only found out about it, weeks before the final 50 year deadline to correct this grave mistake and time was of essence,” said Rabbi David Niederman, President of The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn. “We are tremendously grateful that Senator Gillibrand did not waver for a moment, and sprang into action immediately when we brought it to her attention, taking on and successfully completing that mission.”

For more on the story visit the Senator's website: After Gillibrand’s Push, Va Replaces Cross With Star Of David On Wwii Veteran’s Grave

Among other sources were it was covered are:

http://www.jta.org/2014/07/29/news-opinion/united-states/after-50-years-va-headstone-replaced-to-reflect-vets-jewishness

http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=31224&alias=erroneous-headstone-is-corrected

UJO Column, August 1, 2014

Statements by Councilman Stephen Levin and Rabbi Niederman on Stolen Mezuzah in Williamsburg

Council Member Stephen Levin issued the following statement regarding an incident in which a mezuzah was reportedly stolen at 75 Wilson Street at the Taylor-Wythe Houses in Williamsburg. The incident, which reportedly occurred Wednesday evening, is being investigated by the NYPD as a potential bias crime.

“I am shocked and disturbed that a mezuzah -- a religious symbol of deep importance to the Jewish faith -- was stolen from the home of a member of the Williamsburg community last evening. We stand together against hateful acts and will pursue whoever is responsible until they are found. Just a year ago multiple mezuzahs were desecrated in the same community and the criminal was found speedily thanks to the work of the NYPD.  I have full confidence in the NYPD as they investigate this crime and will continue to work with them through the entirety of the investigation.”

Rabbi David Niederman, President of UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn said:

 "The desecration of a holy Mezuzah at NYCHA's  Independence Towers last night, reopens the painful wounds of the devastating Mezuzah burnings the community endured last year at the same NYCHA Complex, reigniting the fear of residents, especially elderly Holocaust Survivors. The designation of this heinous act as hate crime by the NYPD is right, because this is what it is, a religious bias crime. We are confident that the 90th Precinct and 1 Police Plaza will apprehend those responsible and justice will be served."

July 25, 2014 Column: UJO Thanking HPD, Borugh President Adams and Coubcilmembers Williams and Torres for Easing of Rightsizing Policy

Last weeks column reported on changes in HPD's "rightsizing" policy for Section 8 clients. The 'rightsizing' policy was instituted as a result of the federal 'sequestration' to cover steep funding cuts, and it forced a number of families to move from their apartments to smaller size apartments within a month. As reported in an earlier column, Borough President Eric Adams led twenty borough officials in signing a letter to HPD seeking relief for these families.

HPD, Council Members Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), Chair of the Housing and Buildings Committee, and Ritchie Torres (D-Brooklyn), Chair of the Committee on Public Housing, began a dialogue about steps that could be taken to address this issue, following an April 9 City Council hearing.

HPD agreed to extend the amount of time that regular voucher holders have to decide whether to pay additional rent or move to a right-sized apartment from 30 days, to one year from the date of the voucher holder's annual recertification. In addition, the department will hold town hall meetings to listen and inform tenants on the issue. The first such forum was hosted by Borough President Adams in Brooklyn Borough Hall, on July 18th.

The article notes that the UJO knows first hand the hardship caused by rightsizing, from years of assisting tenants in Williamsburg NYCHA projects effected by similar policies - mainly seniors ordered to move to smaller apartments when their family sizes shrinks. This showed  how devastating these forced relocations could be. Hopefully, the higher awareness about the policy's affects will bring to changes in other programs with similar policies.

In conversations with HPD representatives, they noted that the 'rightsizing' changes only relates to regular Section 8 vouchers, not 'enhanced' (project-based vouchers) that always had a rightsizing policy, but only when smaller apartments become available within that same development. These vouchers weren't effected by the sequestration.

"I thank HPD for recognizing the severe hardship caused to families by downsizing and they have changed the policies, despite the budged reductions. We hope that the federal bureaucracy will also recognize it, and will provide for the means to extend more relief," said Rabbi David Niederman, President of the UJO.

"I want to thank Borough President Adams, and the Councilmembers Williams and and Torres and all officials who joined to bring the important change for seniors and needy families. I hope that bringing awareness to the severe affects of downsizing will result in better policies to assist senior residents in Public Housing struggling for years with such issues," Rabbi Niederman added.

UJO Column, July 25, 2014

July 18, 2014 Column: Property Owners Should Make Sure that the Comply with HPD Annual Registration Requirement

This week's column makes aware owners that HPD is now mailing letters about the require annual registration. Owners of Residential properties are required by law to register annually with HPD if the property has: Three or more residential units; or one or two residential units and neither the owner nor any family member occupies a unit. The article explains the process and the importance of the registration.

The forms are due September 1. 

For more information, visit here.

UJO Column, July 18, 204

Der Yid, July 11, 2014: Jewish Community in Williamsburg Expresses Sympathy and Sorrow on the Passing of the Local Heroic and Honored Firefighter

This week's Der Yid had elaborate coverage of the passing of Lt. Gordon Ambelas, and how the whole community is grieves the passing of the brave Lieutenant who rescued a Mendy Gotlieb in May, and was honored for it by the community 10 days before his passing. Rest in Peace!

Der Yid, July 11, 2014 by United Jewish Column

July 4, 2014, Column: Appreciation Event for Lt. Gordon Ambelas and Firefighters Rescuing Mendy Gottlieb,

It's so sad: This issue of Der Yid was published last Thursday, and had elaborate coverage of the appreciation event the UJO held with the FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro and the parents of Mendy Gottlieb to thank 16 firefighter rescuing Mendy from the roll up garage gate that he was strangled in. The largest photo shows Commissioner Nigro presenting the plaque to the heroic, brave Lt. Gordon Ambelas, who had a lead role in Mendy's rescue. Just two days after this appeared, Lt. Ambelas perished in another selfless, brave act, when rescuing people from a hi-rise fire on 75 Wilson Street. (Item is on page 21)

The article quotes Commissioner Nigro; Rabbi Niederman; the father, Abraham Gottlieb; Assembly-members Joe Lentol and Martiza Davilla, who attended the event; State Senator Daniel Squadron and Councilman Stephen Levin, who were represented at the event by their staffers; Rabbi Yidel Deutsch, speaking on behalf of Hatzolah.

Here is the original release of the event, and their quotes appearing in the article.

UJO Column, July 4, 2014