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Monday, September 29, 2014

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.

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.”



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.
 

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."  
  

Wednesday, September 3, 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: 

Governor Cuomo’s Release is included below:


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

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

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."

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.

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.

Monday, September 1, 2014

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.

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 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.