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

Statement by Rabbi David Niederman and the Gotlieb Family on the Tragic Passing of FDNY Lt. Gordon Ambelas

Statement by Rabbi David Niederman and the Gottlieb Family on the Tragic Passing of FDNY Lt. Gordon Ambelas

On June 26^th, Lt. Gordon Ambelas and his company – together with two other fire companies - were honored by Commissioner Nigro, Rabbi Niederman, and the Gottlieb family for saving the life of their son Mendy from a role up gate. (For more, visit here). Less than 10 days later, the community was shocked to learn that he passed away while rescuing another precious life in Williamsburg. The following are the statements by Rabbi David Niederman and the Gottlieb family.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lt. Gordon Ambelas while saving yet another life, less than 10 days after we were honoring him for saving the life of Mendy Gottlieb. We express our deepest condolences to the family and we keep his two young daughters in our prayers. We also want to share our condolences with the FDNY as a whole, and specifically Ladder 119, and the Hooper St. station-house. Lt. Ambelas’ memory will live on in Mendy and the many others he saved, and of course in the precious family he’s leaving behind,” said Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director of the UJO of Williamsburg.

“This tragic story shows the dangers the lieutenant and all FDNY members put themselves in, willingly and knowingly, to save others. They are really the bravest,” Rabbi Niederman concluded.

Statement by the Gottlieb Family: “We were shocked and devastated to hear about the tragic death of Lt. Ambelas, the savior of our child Mendy. He literally sacrificed his life for others. I hope that his family finds solace in the so many lives that are living on because of him. May his family have no more sorrow.”

Right: Assemblywoman Maritza Davilla, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, Lt. Ambelas (with plaque), Mendy, Rabbi David Niederman (second to left), and father Abraham Gottlieb (left)