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.”