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.
