UJO Holds Meeting with NYC Health Department and Local Doctors to Address Large Number of Williamsburg Children with High Lead Levels in Blood

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 28, 2018 edition

  

NYC Health Department’s Healthy Homes department and local pediatricians thanked for attending a meeting at UJO focused on reducing lead poisoning incidents in Williamsburg.

Brooklyn, NY - Monday, December 17, the New York City Health Department's Healthy Homes department held a meeting at the UJO office with local pediatricians to discuss the large numbers of children in Williamsburg found to have high levels of lead in their blood and how to best deal with this critical issue.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Hecht, Dr. Appio, and N.P. from ODA, along with the ODA Managing Director, Reb Yomtov Malik, who is also a leader of the Hatzolah Organization, Dr. Moshe Ruzorsky of Bedford Medical, and Dr. Steve Goldstein of Rutledge Pediatrics and President of the American Academy of Pediatrics New York State Chapter 2.10

Dr. Jacqueline Ehrlich, Medical Director of the Health Department's division focused on lead poisoning, presented facts about lead poisoning, where the problems are coming from in New York City, and the extremely high rates in Williamsburg.

The UJO has been working with the Department of Health for several years already to alert the Williamsburg public about the harm of lead and to help prevent lead paint problems. Over a year ago, a Reuters investigation showed alarming numbers of children in the area who had high lead blood levels. This led to a stronger campaign, and UJO hired special staff prepared to address lead problems for parents with questions. The staff members also address and help correct issues landlords come across including helping with grant applications which can pay for renovation costs of eligible homes with high lead levels - as much as $20,000 per apartment.

The UJO expresses its appreciation for the Health Department for coming down to speak to the doctors and to the doctors who took time off from their busy schedules to discuss the important topic for the benefit of Williamsburg's children.

For help with any issues connected to lead, call the UJO Lead Safety division at 718.643.9700 Extension 241 or email leadsafety@unitedjewish.org.

Police Commanders at Meeting with UJO Announce Arrest of Alleged Attacker on Throop Avenue on Shabbos

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 7, 2018 edition

Williamsburg Shomrim thanked for obtaining footage that led to suspect’s arrest: hope for prosecution to fullest extent of the law to initiate the end of hate-wave in the area.

Brooklyn, NY - The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn thanked the NYPD Hate Crimes task force for their prompt and appropriate response leading to the arrest of the individual suspected of carrying out the unprovoked hate-crime attack against a 32-year-old Chassidic victim this past Friday night, November 30.

News of the arrest came on Tuesday, December 4 during a meeting at the UJO in Williamsburg which included NYPD’s 90th Precinct; the Commanding Officer Tim Skretch, as well as the; Hate Crime Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Mark C. Molinari; Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez; Council Member Steven Levin; The NYC Jewish Caucus Chair Councilman Chaim Deutsch; Representative of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Community Assistance Unit Pinny Ringel; Joseph Yanis, Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Maritza Davila; Howard Pollock, representing Speaker Corey Johnson; JCRC’s Associate Director David Pollock, Williamsburg Shomrim members and UJO members.

At the meeting, NYPD discussed not only the latest arrest but ways to stop the recent wave of hate-crimes presently rocking the neighborhood leaving community members increasingly concerned about going out, especially at night. Participants were upset to learn of two additional incidents which had happened the day before, on Monday, December 4, to children walking home from school. NYPD has mobilized additional units in the area, specifically at the Broadway Triangle where some of the most severe incidents have taken place. It is the community’s hope that sufficient resources are allocated and maintained throughout the community to deter others motivated by hate. Outreach efforts were discussed that would include the UJO, the NYPD, and the City of New York to promote peace and tolerance in all communities.

"The community is on edge, with all these incidents. The hate-wave has to stop. Fortunately, the NYPD and our elected officials are determined to join forces to do whatever is needed to stop it," says Rabbi David Niederman. "I am grateful to the NYPD for the recent arrest, and I am confident more arrests will follow. Hate has no place in this city, and sadly, we are seeing a spike in anti-Semitic attacks across the city. Young Chasidic kids shouldn't be afraid simply because of their Jewish faith of monstrous attacks when walking home.”

"I thank the elected officials: Congresswoman Velazquez, Councilmen Levin and Deutsch, as well as Assemblywoman Maritza Davilla and Pinny Ringel of the Mayor's office, for working so closely with us to combat hate," Rabbi Niederman concluded.

NY Police Investigate Spate of Violent Attacks on Hasidic Residents in Williamsburg – Friday, November 30, 2018 edition

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 7, 2018 edition

Congresswoman Velázquez asks NYPD for information regarding the ongoing battle against anti-Semitism. She also requests that the NYPD make sure that information and brochures are made available to the Yiddish and Hebrew speaking community.

Brooklyn, NY - Congresswoman Velázquez’s letter to the NY Police Commissioner can be found here: https://velazquez.house.gov/sites/velazquez.house.gov/files/LetterOnAntiSemitism.pdf.

Alert- Scammers Targeting Seniors

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 7, 2018 edition

Seniors in Williamsburg are being targeted by phone scammers pretending to call from social security office and threatening to discontinue social security benefits.

Don't share personal information! Don't fall victim to scammers! Don’t be afraid to hang up!

Although Social Security employees might occasionally contact people by phone for customer-service purposes and may request confirmation of personal information over the phone, the employee will first provide you with a telephone number and extension.

Social Security employees will never:

• Call and demand immediate payment;
• Demand payment of a debt without the ability to appeal the amount owed;
• Require a specific means of payment, such as requiring a prepaid debit card;
• Ask for personal information, credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or
• Threaten arrest or deportation.

If you receive one of the above scam calls or emails, do not provide any information, instead, hang up immediately; and contact the Social Security’s Office of Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/report.

If in doubt, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit socialsecurity.gov for how to contact Social Security.

Social Security and SSI Payments to Increase by 2.8 Percent

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 7, 2018 edition

Largest increase in 7 years; recipients will receive letters confirming increased payments. The letter should be kept so as to have it available for proof of income when applying for assistance.

Brooklyn, NY - Throughout the year, the UJO assists seniors with an array of social services and support including Holocaust survivors. For many programs, survivors need to show proof of income from social security. UJO reminds seniors to keep the letters received regarding next year's payments. In this way, the required documentation will be readily available to avoid the inconvenience of having to spend time searching for the necessary proof or even traveling last minute to the Social Security office to obtain another copy. Seniors who are already assisted by the UJO can bring in or fax the new letters to the UJO where it will be kept safely in the individual’s file to be produced and utilized as needed. 

The 2.8% increase in  2019 Social Security benefits is the largest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) seen in seven years. The average increase in Social Security retirement benefits will be $39 a month or $468 a year roughly.

UJO Thanks NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force for Arrest of Suspect for Shabbos Hate Crime Attack in Williamsburg

Williamsburg Shomrim thanked for obtaining footages that led to suspects arrest: hope for prosecution to fullest extent of the law to initiate the end of hate-wave in the area.


Brooklyn, NY - The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn thanked the NYPD Hate Crimes task force today for their prompt and appropriate response leading to the arrest of the individual suspected of carrying out the unprovoked hate-crime attack against a 32-year-old Chassidic victim this past Friday night, November 30.

News of the arrest came in this afternoon at a meeting at the UJO in Williamsburg which included NYPD’s 90th Precinct; the Commanding Officer Tim Skretch, as well as the; Hate Crime Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Mark C. Molinari; Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez; Council Member Steven Levin; The NYC Jewish Caucus Chair Councilman Chaim Deutsch; Representative of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Community Assistance Unit Pinny Ringel; Joseph Yanis, Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Maritza Davila; Howard Pollock, representing Speaker Corey Johnson; JCRC’s Associate Director David Pollock, Williamsburg Shomrim members and UJO members.

At the meeting, NYPD discussed not only the latest arrest but ways to stop the recent wave of hate-crimes presently rocking the neighborhood leaving community members increasingly concerned about going out, especially at night. Participants were upset to learn of two additional incidents which had happened the day before, on Monday, December 4, to children walking home from school. NYPD has mobilized additional units in the area, specifically at the Broadway Triangle where some of the most severe incidents have taken place. It is the community’s hope that sufficient resources are allocated and maintained throughout the community to deter others motivated by hate. Outreach efforts were discussed that would include the UJO, the NYPD, and the City of New York to promote peace and tolerance in all communities.

"The community is on edge, with all these incidents. The hate-wave has to stop. Fortunately, the NYPD and our elected officials are determined to join forces to do whatever is needed to stop it," says Rabbi David Niederman. "I am grateful to the NYPD for the recent arrest, and I am confident more arrests will follow. Hate has no place in this city, and sadly, we are seeing a spike in anti-Semitic attacks across the city. Young Chasidic kids shouldn't be afraid simply because of their Jewish faith of monstrous attacks when walking home.”

HEAP Assistance at the UJO - Friday, November 16, 2018

Brooklyn, NY – The UJO is offering HEAP assistance on Tuesdays to assist residents in filling out HEAP applications to help cover their overwhelming heating costs in the winter. Please see Household Income guidelines chart below to check if you qualify for assistance. Eligibility and benefits are based on: income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled.

Regular HEAP Benefit Amounts 2018-2019
Base Benefit Amount	Living Situation
$21	Eligible households that live in government subsidized housing or a group home setting with heat included in their rent.
$30 or $35	Eligible households who have heating costs included as part of their rent.
$675 + applicable add-ons	Eligible households whose primary heat is oil, kerosene, or propane and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs.
$525 + applicable add-ons	Eligible households whose primary heat is wood, wood pellets, coal, corn or other deliverable fuel and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs.
$350 + applicable add-ons	Eligible households whose primary heat is electricity or natural gas and who make direct payments based on their household’s actual usage to the vendor.

The amount of the base Regular benefit will be increased by $26 if the household’s gross income is in the Tier 1 income range.

Tier I eligibility is based on gross income and household size, on the date of application the household's gross income must be at or below 130% of federal poverty level for the household size; or at least one adult household member must be in receipt of ongoing assistance through Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or code A SSI.

The amount of the base Regular benefit will be increased by $25 if the household contains a vulnerable individual (household member who is age 60 or older, under age 6 or permanently disabled).

Call the UJO office at (718) 643-9700 extension 5 option 2 with any questions or for a list of documents needed to bring in for the application. Then stop by UJO office at 32 Penn Street on any Tuesday to complete and submit the application. 

Williamsburg Vandals Arrested and Charged with Hate Crimes - Friday, November 16, 2018

Brooklyn, NY – Two boys were arrested on Thursday, November 8. The boys went on a spree committing seven hate crimes within a few hours on Saturday, November 3. One of the crimes was throwing a pipe which broke a window at Volkan Shul on Franklin Avenue in Williamsburg. This was after harassing a Hassidic boy on the street among other criminal anti-Semitic actions.

Assemblyman Joe Lentol and Councilman Stephen Levin participated in the subsequent meeting which took place at the UJO with the CO of the 79th Precinct, after this criminal event. The meeting also included Shomrim and concerned residents at the area. Attendees were shown videos of what had actually taken place at the crime scene which led to a better understanding of the severity and malicious intent of the attacks. Based on the evidence presented at the meeting, the juveniles were deservedly charged with hate crimes.

”I thank Inspector Minch of the79th Precinct for arresting and bringing the perpetrators to justice We hope this will send a lesson that acts of hate will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods,” says Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director and President of UJO. “I also want to express my thanks to Shomrim and the askanim who diligently collected evidence and made sure that everything was reported to the police in order to have those responsible arrested and charged accordingly. Also, thanks are due to Assemblyman Lentol and Councilman Levin for standing with us to make sure these criminal acts were charged as hate crimes.

“It is very important,” Rabbi Niederman stresses, “that any community member who has the misfortune of experiencing any similar occurrence should report it to the police in order to stop the profusion of hate crimes in our area. No incidences should be ignored. Even if it seems to be a relatively minor episode, it needs to be reported because if such actions are not stopped in a timely fashion, this can lead to more severe attacks occurring with greater frequency.”

Passage of Posthumous Gold Medal for Rabbi Michoel Ber Weissmandl by Congress - Friday, November 16, 2018

Law Introduced by Williamsburg Congressmember Nydia Velazquez for Rabbi’s Weissmandl’s Heroic Rescue Efforts during WWII; Hopes for Passage in Senate

Brooklyn, NY – Rabbi Michoel Ber Weissmandl is posthumously slated for a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his acts of valor during World War II - https://velazquez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-vel-zquez-bill-honoring-hero-jewish-resistance-during. The gold medal is to be presented to the Weissmandl Committee on behalf of Rabbi Weissmandl in commemoration of his heroic activity during World War II when Rabbi Weissmandl was involved in major rescue operations saving tens of thousands of Jews.

It is expected that the Senate will pass this as well so that the award can become official. Much gratitude is due to Mr. Aron Fixler of the Weissmandl Committee, the force behind the efforts to commemorate Rabbi Wissmandl and Mr. Joel Klar who assisted in the Weissmandl Committee efforts.

Past endeavors by the Weissmandl Committee to commemorate Rabbi Weissmandl’s heroic efforts during WWII included a resolution passed through the efforts of Senator Simcha Felder and Assemblyman Joe Lentol. This led to the award of the Empire State Medal in Rabbi Weissmandl’s name issued by the NY State Legislature; and the naming, by former Councilman David Greenfield, of Rabbi Weissmandl Way now a part of 15^th Avenue in Boro Park.

“I am very thankful to Representative Nydia Velázquez,” says Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director and President of the UJO, “for her sponsorship and leadership in working to award the Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate the worthy activities of Rabbi Michoel Ber Weissmandl zt’l and generating so much support in getting it passed in Congress. I am looking forward to seeing it passed in the Senate as well. The world needs to know about this great hero who rescued so many while giving no thought to the risks he was taking with his own life. It is a kiddush Hashem to publicize this story. I express deep thanks to the devoted askanaim, including Rabbi Aron Fixler and his colleagues at the Weissmandl Committee for generating the necessary support for the process leading to the award of this medal.”

Williamsburg Yeshivos Meet with NYC Health Department at the UJO to Stem Spread of Measles

Parents Reminded to Ensure Timely Vaccinations; Keep children with Measles-like Symptoms at home

Yeshivas Commit to Continue Enforcing Strict Vaccination Policies

Successful Collaboration Helped End Prior Outbreaks; Strong Hope that Early Outreach and Alert by DOHMH will Prevent Larger Outbreak

Brooklyn – Leaders and school administrators from the Orthodox Jewish community in Williamsburg met today at the UJO of Williamsburg with NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), a representatives of the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit and representatives of the elected officials of the area, to collaborate on efforts to stem the spread of measles infection in the community.

As per the last Department of Health figures, 6 children are confirmed to have contracted the measles infection and more are awaiting lab results to determine if they have the infection. Measles is extremely contagious, and unvaccinated individuals are susceptible to transmit the infection, even if they don’t exhibit symptoms. Measles can be very dangerous and even fatal, especially for those with a compromised immune.

·         In order to stem this outbreak, parents must ensure that their children received the recommended vaccination doses, at age 1 and a second one at age 4.

·         Measles infections are far more prevalent in Israel and Europe. Hence, before travelling with children overseas, parents should make sure that their children from six months and older are vaccinated.

·         Measles symptoms include fever, and a rash starting on the fact, trickling down the body and occasionally also appearing on the palms and soles. 

·         Children exhibiting such symptoms should not attend school, and the parents should contact their doctor to arrange for an appointment privately, in order not to transmit the infection to other patients.

·         Those contacted that they or their child have been at a place with a measles patient, shall make sure to follow their doctor's advice.

·         Schools where a student was diagnosed with measles, are required by the department of health to exclude all non-vaccinated students until 21 days of the last measles case in the neighborhood.

Dr. Jane  Jane R. Zucker, MD, Assistant Commissioner of the NYC-DOHMH Bureau of Immunization, updated community leaders and school administrators, on the outbreak, and discussed how to ensure that the entire community follows all tips, to stop this outbreak before it results in many more sufferings. The meeting was also attended DOHMH Associate Commissioner Sam Miller and a number of DOHMH representatives, Mr. Pinny Ringel, Senior member of the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit, and representatives from the offices of Assemblyman Joe Lentol, State Senator Kavanagh and Councilman Steve Levin also participated at the meeting and committed their support in the effort to stop the outbreak.

“For decades, the UJO worked with the NYC Department of Health and the local schools and community leaders to stop outbreaks of infectious diseases. This collaboration is vital for the health of the community. We will continue efforts to ensure that everybody follows the above instructions,” said Rabbi David Niederman, president of the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn. “We are thankful for the Department of Health for the early detection, alert of this outbreak, and we pray that with everyone’s cooperation we will be able to stop the spread of this disease.”

For NYC-DOHMH's release re the outbreak, visit here

For NYC-DOHMH alert to health professionals, visit here

UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn Condemns Blood Libel by Actress and NY Times Op-Ed Contributor Amber Tamblyn

Stereotyping all Hasidic drivers for the alleged actions of one is hateful and despicable; UJO calls for thorough accounting of the incident, and for any witnesses or anyone who may have footage of the incident to come forward; Data shows that Hasidic Williamsburg area is safer for bikers than surrounding areas

 

Accusations of several attempts to hurt her calls into question Tamblyn’s credibility. The NY Times ought to investigate if she meets their credibility standards

 

After tweeting yesterday about an alleged incident in which “a Hasidic man in grey van try to hit a woman and her baby in a stroller as she crossed a crosswalk, honking and touching the stroller with the car’s bumper,” Amber Tamblyn followed with a shocking, hateful attack on all Hasidic men. “[T]his is not the first time a man from the Hasidic community in NYC has attempted to harm me or other women I know. Any woman riding a bike through South Williamsburg can attest.”

 

The UJO condemns in the strongest terms this biased, anti-Semitic attack on the Hasidic community, and calls on The New York Times to stop publishing commentary from her and other known anti-Semites.

 

“This would have been unacceptable against any other group. Unfortunately, too often people feel that such claims can be made against Hasidim and that when attacking the Hasidic religious ​community anything goes --  from discriminating in housing against large Jewish families to attacking our religious educational​ system” said Rabbi David Niederman, President of the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn.

“This incident has to be thoroughly investigated as an individual case. We call on Ms. Tamblyn to describe the entire incident and we ask the NYPD to thoroughly investigate what transpired at this busy intersection. We further ask for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward with information, and/or any CCTV or dash-camera footage that they have from the area.”

 

The alleged incident took place Sunday, March 4th, about 2:30PM, with a grey van, on Vanderbilt near the Atlantic Avenue intersection, touching a stroller pushed by a woman, and honking and yelling. W​e sympathize with anyone who experienced such an incident however, ​Ms. Tamblyn draws an unfair and biased analogy.

 

The UJO calls on the Ms. Tamblyn to either back up her claim about several incidents in which Hasidic men tried to attack her or other female bikers or to apologize for making such a claim. It’s unacceptable to generalize against all Hasidim, and the data shows that while there sadly were several fatalities of bicyclists in the neighboring areas, South Williamsburg didn’t have any biker fatalities at least since 2009, nor is there a higher rate of biker injuries here. To accuse Hasidic men of attempting to attack women is despicable and shameful.  (For cyclist injuries and fatalities data complied by the City of New York please visit NYC Vision Zero http://www.nycvzv.info/#)  

 

“Ms. Tamblyn ought to back up her claims against individuals, so that it can be thoroughly investigated. Blanket attacks against any group as a whole is a modern blood libel,” said Rabbi David Niederman. “As long she doesn’t back up her claims, one can’t take her seriously. It would be very odd for the NY Times to continue publishing her articles, with her credibility and judgment in question. Even if there were incidents, attacking an entire class of people based on an individual accusation is discriminatory and dead wrong.”