New Police Commanders in Williamsburg Meet with UJO, Shomrim and Community Leaders

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 26, 2019 edition

On Thursday of last week, two new police commanders were appointed to the precinct that is responsible for the Williamsburg Orthodox Jewish Community. On Monday, the commanders met with UJO, Shomrim (represented by Yanky Itzkowitz) and community leaders to discuss the needs of the area and especially the increased need for security against hate crimes which the Williamsburg community has been suffering from, especially over the course of the last month. 

Deputy Inspector Timothy Skretch, formerly of the 90^th Precinct for the past one and half years was promoted to Deputy Inspector and assigned to the 79^th Precinct. Captain Mark Vazquez was appointed as commander of the 90^th Precinct, which oversees most of the Orthodox community of Williamsburg. 

Rabbi Neiderman congratulated the two commanders at the meeting and discussed the need for stronger protection against hate crimes, especially after the Jersey City attack. 

The Williamsburg community looks forward to working together for the safety and security of all.

Governor Cuomo Announces the Award of $10 Million for Security Grants for Private Schools and Religious Institutions

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 26, 2019 edition

The State will provide another $25 million for this year’s budget to enhance security at non-public schools and cultural centers, including religious-based institutions, to protect against the threat of hate crimes

Brooklyn, NY – On Thursday of last week, Governor Cuomo announced the distribution of more than $10 million awarded to make security enhancements at non-public schools and cultural centers, including religious-based institutions, to protect against the threat of hate crimes. This is the second round of funding distributed through New York's Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program and will support 207 projects. Projects will help strengthen security measures to prevent hate crimes or attacks against facilities on the basis of their culture, religion or beliefs. "The cancer of hate and division spreading across this country is repugnant to the values of diversity and inclusion we hold dear in New York," Governor Cuomo said. "We are continuing to do everything we can to stamp out threats and acts of violence targeting religious and cultural institutions, and this new grant funding will allow many of these organizations to enhance their security measures and help keep people safe."

The grant, which is administered by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, will provide up to $50,000 in funding for additional security training, cameras, door-hardening, improved lighting, state-of-the-art technology and other related security upgrades at each eligible facility. Organizations that operate more than one facility have the opportunity to submit up to three applications for a total request of up to $150,000. First-round awards were made in 2018.

At the same time, the governor announced that the budget for funding this program to protect communities against hate will more than double in the coming year to provide $25 million for schools to be able to reinforce their security measures in the upcoming years. 

The announcement came after the horrifying Jersey City terrorist attack and murders, and the rise of hate-filled anti-Semitic attacks. The funding will better protect communities and yeshivas from hate and terror attacks, including many Williamsburg yeshivas, G-d willing.

“We thank Governor Cuomo,” says Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, “for providing special funding to protect yeshivas and other schools and institutions which will help keep our children safe and in general for taking critical steps to combat hate crimes.”

NOTE:

Make sure to report every hate crime. As the Williamsburg community has suffered from a rise in hate crimes during the past 14 months, it has become increasingly important for anyone who has experienced an attack or even just a harassment to report the incident. This includes even more minor experiences, such as being badgered or having hate-filled epitaphs directed towards one’s person. If one is frightened in any way, the event should immediately be reported by calling 911 or the Shomrim hotline at (718) 237-0202. No one who has experienced hate should neglect making a report so that we can gain an increase in security and also possibly stop haters in their tracks before they become more dangerous.

Even if an incident seems minor, it is important to make the report. If it’s hard to make the report by yourself or it looks to you as if it’s not being taken seriously, please call Shomrim to stand with you while making the report. UJO continues to work hand in hand with the police and with Shomrim to make sure every crime is taken seriously. For assistance, you can also contact the UJO at (718) 643-9700.

In Light of the Jersey City Attack NYC Reopens Nonpublic School Security Guard Reimbursement Program for Private Schools to Allow More Schools and Yeshivas to Enroll

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 27, 2019 edition

Grant program was reopened after multiple schools requested that UJO assist them in obtaining increased security.

UJO thanks Mayor de Blasio for reopening the program. 

Brooklyn, NY – Last Thursday, New York City reopened the opportunity for private schools to enroll in the Nonpublic School Security Reimbursement Program that covers the cost of hiring guards for private schools. This was done after UJO received requests from multiple schools. UJO relayed these requests to City Hall. The Mayor then ordered the DCAS agency to reopen the program. Although schools usually need to apply before the advent of the school year, they are now allowed to apply for funding midyear in order to be approved for the program and receive State funding to hire school security guards midyear. The program was initiated after a campaign by Councilman David Greenfield and the City Council, which resulted in the establishment of this program two years ago.

“I express our sincere appreciation to Mayor de Blasio,” says Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, “for taking the necessary steps to better protect our schools and for Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services for re-opening the application procedure so expediently. It took only a few days from the time we presented the request to City Hall through our devoted servant Mr. Lincoln Restler at the press conference held in Williamsburg with the Mayor on Thursday, December 12,  for the program to be reopened.

“It is rare that you see government move so fast. This shows how seriously the Mayor takes the security of our community and how strongly he identifies against anti-Semitism and hate. We call on yeshivas who didn’t yet apply for this funding to apply at this time. We know that ultimately, ‘The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps’ (Psalms 121:4) and that is where our true protection is, but we are obligated to make our best efforts to protect our children, and this program makes great strides in that regard.”

In further news, Councilman Chaim Deutsch announced that he is presently working to expand the program to include schools that have less than 300 students so that they should also be entitled to apply for funding through this program. 

Statement Regarding Antisemitic Shooting at Kosher Market in Jersey City and Victims with Williamsburg Roots

Our Lives will Go On! But we Can’t Let this Go On!

The community is saddened and is mourning the loss of two innocent people, the most-special of our community.

Mindel Ferencz may she rest in peace, was a pioneer. She and her husband were of the very first to relocate from Williamsburg, due to the skyrocketing prices of housing, to settle in Jersey City. They did not do it for themselves, but to pave the way for a new community that lives harmoniously with their neighbors. She was a caring and nurturing mother for her three children, and at the same time helped her husband who ran the first kosher grocery in the area, to ensure that the community’s families have where to shop and feed their children.

A life of selflessness, and dedication to others, full of love, was cut short by vicious hate-filled murders.

Moshe Deutsch, may he rest in peace, was dedicated to studying his Jewish faith everyday by learning in a Yeshiva he was instrumental in establishing and getting off the ground. He was extremely kind and generous and was the go-to person when his peers needed help. Moshe is also the son of our devoted and energetic board member, Abe Deutsch, who is a pillar of the UJO and is the main force behind the largest food distribution for Passover feedings thousands upon thousands. Abe’s kindness knows no bounds and even though he is occupied with managing a business, individuals needing assistance knock on his door regularly for help. Moshe followed in his father’s footsteps and devoted his spare time and energy to help organize the UJO Passover food distribution and many other acts of kindness.

The community lost a promising-upcoming charitable person who was spreading love and kindness. He was butchered by people filled with poisonous animosity. Our heart goes out to both families and to our board member, Abe.

We mourn and send our condolences for the loss of Jersey City Police Department Detective Joseph Seals. He selflessly devoted and gave his life to protect others from gun violence. May he rest in peace, may his family find comfort and solace, and may Hashem protect all members of the law enforcement who risks their lives in line of duty to protect others. They represent the finest among us.


Our hearts also goes out to the family of the late Douglas Miguel Rodriguez Barzola, who left behind a wife and 11 years old daughter and a mother Ecuador. He was butchered brutally while working in the store and providing for his family. May he rest in peace.

We can’t let the sorrow stop us. Of course, we’ll collect ourselves and go on with our lives. At the same time, we can’t let the horrible hate go on and threaten us. It’s too late already. The hate that springs up all over, now cut short lives so close to home. But we have to act now so that we don’t have to mourn precious lives in the future.

We don’t have answers, but have many questions, that we’re asking for a while:

• What causes this hate?
• How can the hate be stopped in the tracks and intercepted?
• How can we foster love to counter and avoid these hateful feelings?
• How can the community be better protected?

The list goes on.

The grave seriousness of the situation of this calls for the creation of a working group, a task force, that should include law enforcement members from all levels of the government, community leaders from the Jewish and other communities, to try to study and track down this horrendous problem and come up with a strategy to foster love, stop hate, intercept and take action against haters before it’s too late, and make communities feel safe once again.

Time and again, we hear words of sympathies and resolve after an attack, only to hear it again after another attack. It’s time for action.

Watch a press conference with Mayor de Blasio, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea and other officials:
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1nAKEZzyLdRGL

UJO of Williamsburg to Join NYC Count 2020 and the Citywide Effort to Ensure a Fair and Complete Count

New York, NY—The UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn are excited to join the NYC Complete Count Fund, a partnership between CUNY, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council. The NYC Complete Count Fund is a first-of-its-kind Census-related community organizing program that will support and resource community-based organizations to help NYC reach a full and accurate count in the 2020 Census. These funds will support the UJO’s Williamsburg Community Census, focusing to get a complete count from the hard to reach Yiddish speaking community in Williamsburg and its surrounding areas.

The Complete Count Fund was built with the understanding that local community-based organizations — which serve New Yorkers in the communities where they live and in the languages that they speak — are the most trusted messengers of important and sensitive information. 

The UJO is proud to join this coordinated citywide effort to build awareness about the census, convey its importance, fight the spread of mis-information and disinformation, and help bridge the digital divide that might prevent many New Yorkers from participating in next year’s first online census.

As a culturally and linguistically unique community in New York City, a hyper local focused approach is needed to connect with the Williamsburg community. As a trusted local voice and social service agency for over half a century the UJO of Williamsburg has the tools and deep roots in the community to educate and encourage a robust community census response.

“Unfortunately during the 2010 Census South Williamsburg was among the many poor communities in NYC that were undercounted. The undercount cost the community valuable resources needed for the betterment of the community that would have been available if it was fully counted. We are grateful that for the 2020 census around Mayor Bill de Blasio and his Census team led by Julie Menin, are prepared with a citywide plan that will make sure there is no New Yorker left behind”, said Rabbi David Niederman, President of the UJO of Williamsburg.    

A complete and accurate count is critical to the future of New York City. The census will determine how more than $650 billion in federal funds for public education, public housing, roads and bridges, affordable medical care and equipment at local medical facilities, and more, gets distributed annually throughout the country. It will also determine the number of seats each state is allocated in the House of Representatives (and thus, the Electoral College). Based on current estimates, an undercount could cost the State of New York up to two congressional seats which would limit NY’s voice in Congress and limit bringing home necessary funds to NYC.

In such a complex city, enriched by such linguistic and cultural diversity, New York City’s full participation in the first online census faces a unique set of challenges. As New Yorkers, we have embraced these challenges as an opportunity. Together, these citywide efforts will lay the groundwork for a civic engagement apparatus that will continue well beyond the 2020 census.

The Complete Count Fund will launch in early January with an all-day kick-off event and training.    

###

About UJO of Williamsburg: Founded in 1966, the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn is a social service provider helping this poor community with a wide array of services including entitlement assistance, housing, Senior Services, specialized help for Holocaust Survivors and providing the community with voice in the public realm.  

About NYC Census 2020
NYC Census 2020 was established as a first-of-its-kind organizing initiative by Mayor de Blasio to ensure a complete and accurate count of all New Yorkers in the 2020 Census. The program is built on four pillars: (1) a community-based awards program, The New York City Complete Count Fund; (2) an in-house “Get Out the Count” field campaign; (3) an innovative, multi-lingual, tailored messaging and marketing; as well as (4) an in-depth Agency and Partnerships engagement plan that seeks to leverage the power of the City’s 350,000-strong workforce and the city’s major institutions, including libraries, hospitals, faith-based, cultural institutions, and higher educational institutions, and more, to communicate with New Yorkers about the critical importance of census participation.

Statement by the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn on NYS Attorney General Tish James' Intervening to Stop Housing Discrimination Targeting Hasidic Jews in the Town of Chester

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Statement by the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn on NYS Attorney General Tish James' Intervening to Stop Housing Discrimination Targeting Hasidic Jews in the Town of Chester

The NYS Attorney General’s office filed today join the lawsuit brought by the Greens at Chester development in the federal court of White Plains. The lawsuit seeks to stop a series of official discriminatory actions by the Town of Chester and Orange county, aimed to prevent Hasidim from settling in the town.

"Finally, there is a sheriff in town committed to fight the blatant discrimination against Orthodox Jews occurring too often. We commend attorney general Letitia James for intervening in this case, to fight official actions to block this development in the Town of Chester. Attorney General James always stood ready to take on injustice, and isn’t shying away even when it means taking on powerful forces. All communities and residents in the state are fortunate to have her as their attorney," said Rabbi David Niederman, President of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn (UJO). 

"Today’s action sends a powerful message that Orthodox Jews are also protected under the Fair Housing laws and discriminatory actions will not be tolerated," Rabbi Niederman concluded.

*

For background, please read the following the New York Times article of August 14, 2019, headlined ‘Keep the Hasidic Out’: A Small-Town Housing Showdown https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/nyregion/jews-discrimination-lawsuit.html

On November 25, 2019, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo, vetoed a bill targeting the same development in the Town of Chester.

https://twitter.com/UnitedJewish/status/1199490999887810561/photo/1

UJO and Boro Park JCC Ready to Assist parents and Homeowners in Protecting Children From Lead Poisoning

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s November 22, 2019 edition

Brooklyn, NY – During the past few months, New York City's Department of Health has revealed that the neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Boro Park have unfortunately retained their lead as the areas in New York City. These two locations have the highest percentage of children tested for lead and found to have lead levels of over five micrograms per deciliter in their blood. This rate is the highest in the entire city. The children with high lead blood levels were, in the last few years, specifically concentrated in Williamsburg's Jewish neighborhood with the 11211 zip code, between Heyward Street and Division Avenue. 

The second worst area with regards to lead poisoning is Boro Park, where 518 out of 16,000 children under the age of six who were tested turned out to have lead levels of 5 or more micrograms per deciliter. This comes to three and a quarter percent of all children tested.

These numbers are more than double the city's numbers in general, where less than one and a half percent of all children tested had such high blood lead levels. The level is also lower in Brooklyn, where less than two percent of children tested had such high blood lead levels.

The law dictates—and health experts are calling on parents—to make sure that every child takes the lead blood test at one or two years old. Parents should also make sure to ask for the results of the test.

Studies have shown that children with lead in their blood are in danger of suffering developmental problems chas v' sholem, and it may lead to a lowered IQ. No amount of lead is healthy, and the higher it is, the more harmful it is likely to be. Excessively high levels could be extremely dangerous. Most lead problems in New York City come from the dust of peeling or cracked paint in old houses, built before 1960 when lead paint was used.

Landlords of houses with three or more units, which are homes to children aged six and younger, must, by law, inspect their units at least once a year. If they have peeling or cracked paint, they must be fixed by certified workers to ensure that the lead paint is removed in a safe, secure fashion.

Residents of older apartments who see peeling paint in their apartments should speak to their landlords and request that it be fixed by certified workers using safe methods, which includes the cleaning of the area to avoid dust. Residents of such apartments should also wash their floors often, as well as windowsills, their hands, toys, and pacifiers. They should also allow water in the sink to run until cold before making a bottle for a baby or using it for cooking or drinking. For more information on how lead paint must be corrected, call 311.

Landlords can benefit from assistance in correcting lead issues in their apartments. HPD has a grant for landlords that provides a contractor to fix apartments, going as high as $10,000 per apartment or higher to fix lead issues. Houses with low-income residents are eligible. The UJO has already helped with the application of this grant for tens of apartments in the neighborhood.

The UJO has been working with the Department of Health for several years now to make residents aware of the harmfulness of lead and the steps to take to help reduce the dangers. This last year, the Boro Park JCC has also begun offering Lead Safety services in collaboration with the UJO. 

For more information on correcting lead issues, questions about receiving your child's lead blood test, assistance for landlords in applying for the grants, or to add your name to a list for taking part in training to become certified to fix lead issues, call the UJO at (718) 643-9700, ext. 502, or email leadsafety@unitedjewish.org.

In Boro Park, contact Mrs. Sivan at the BPJCC at (718) 972-6600, ext. 4615, or email NSivan@bpjcc.org.

Police Bring in Special Traffic Agents to Relieve Traffic Resulting From Emergency Sewer Work at Bedford and Rutledge

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s October 25, 2019 edition



Brooklyn, NY –During the final days of the holiday, the NYC Environmental Protection (DEP) abruptly started emergency sewer work on Bedford Avenue and Rutledge Street in front of Pupa Shul. This caused major havoc and greatly impeded the progress of foot traffic during the holiday. It greatly hindered the ability of a large number of the Pupa community from reaching the shul when they came to be with the rebbe on the holiday. The day after the holiday, the repairs caused overwhelming vehicular traffic due to the streets closure.

UJO worked with the DEP and the NYPD to get traffic agents while the emergency repairs were underway. The police department was able to provide a large number of traffic agents to cover the entire area. This helped ease the situation and greatly relieved the traffic.

UJO thanks Captain Timothy J. Skretch of the  90^th Precinct for providing traffic agents. Additionally UJO thanks Chief Thomas M. Chan, NYPD Chief of Transportation, and Mr. Lincoln Ressler for assisting in securing desperately needed community assistance and coordinating the logistics with the DEP and other agencies.

Especially Strong Police Security Presence in Williamsburg Throughout Sukkos

The police presence follows UJO and Shomrim meeting with the highest-ranking police chiefs and staying in touch with the police department throughout the holiday. This helped to ensure a peaceful and happy holiday. UJO thanks the police leaders for the increased security patrols.

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s October 25, 2019 edition

​Brooklyn, NY – UJO and Shomrim had a meeting with the police department regarding security for the Williamsburg community two days before Yom Kippur. This led to a strong police presence throughout the Sukkos holiday. The increased protection was on the streets in general and around the larger synagogues as well. There was also a steady police patrol assigned to NYCHA Housing over sukkas which helped ensure a peaceful holiday.

“I would like to express a strong thank you to Chief Harrison and Assistant Chief Maddrey,” says Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, “for taking our concerns seriously as well as overseeing Williamsburg’s safety and allowing residents maximum protection.  A special thank you to the local commanders, Captain Timothy J. Skretch of the  90^th Precinct  who personally went on patrols and oversaw that our community received maximum protection; Deputy Inspector Charles Minch who provided maximum protection from out of the 79^th Precinct and Captain Esposito   who oversees the  protection for the Projects in Williamsburg and NYCHA preventing any untoward incidents.

“It is self-understood the community owes a strong debt of gratitude to Shomrim volunteers and the coordinators including Mr. Yanky Itzkowitz, Mr. Lemel Markowitz, and all of the Shomrim volunteers for their continued devoted work protecting the neighborhood. This was done even during the busy days before and during the holiday. We also express our deepest thanks to Mr. Lincoln Restler for personally assuring that the community was protected and to Pinny Ringel who made himself available around the clock making sure that Williamsburg received the greatest security possible.”  

Arrest Made in Attack at Warsoff Place



The 79^th Precinct arrested a third criminal the day after Sukkos who participated in the robbery and attack on a young man on Warsoff Place and Flushing Avenue.

He was arrested for a different crime and the Neighborhood Community Officer (NCO) of the area identified him as one of the participants in the robbery which took place September 17.

Increased Police Presence Throughout Yom Kippur Which Should Continue Through Sukkos

The increased police presence is a direct result of the meeting, which took place with the top Chief of Police, UJO, Shomrim, and the Mayor’s office to ensure maximum security in the area in light of recent hate incidents.

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s October 11, 2019 edition

Brooklyn, NY –Williamsburg arranged an emergency meeting that was called by Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President. The meeting took place the Monday before Yom Kippur. The NYPD’s top Chief and local commanders participated along with Jewish community leaders.  

NYPD committed themselves to increase police presence and protection in the area, especially near prominent synagogues and in areas where this is a history of hate incidents. They promised that in general there will be more police cars circling the neighborhood.

After the meeting, Rabbi Niederman said, “I want to thank Chief Rodney Harrison for taking the time to come down to discuss the security situation in Williamsburg before the holidays. I also want to thank Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey for always addressing the concerns of the neighborhood and taking them seriously. Thank you as well for making an effort to be personally on top of this situation and making it a priority for Williamsburg to receive maximum protection. Thanks are also due to local commanders, Captain Timothy J. Skretch of the  90^th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Charles Minch, and Captain Esposito for providing the necessary resources to protect the neighborhood.

“I want to especially thank the devoted Shomrim volunteers and coordinators, Mr. Yanky Itzkowitz, Mr. Lemel Markowitz, for not resting in their efforts to secure the neighborhood community and making sure every incident is fully reported. I also want to express a hearty thank you to Pinny Ringel for making himself available 24 hours a day for the community and for making sure that each incident is taken with the full seriousness and that we achieve maximum security resources. Thanks as well to Mr. Lincoln Restler for personally assuring that the community is protected.” 

Councilman Chaim Deutsch and Councilman Kalman Yeger Meet with Police Chief of Department and Patrol to Assure More Protection for NYC

Police promised an additional 130 officers and 25 cars at shuls for Yom Kippur. This follows a meeting in which Councilman Chaim Deutsch convened with Jewish leaders throughout NYC to discuss and demand more security for the Jewish community.

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s October 11, 2019 edition

Brooklyn, NY –A meeting with the NYPD Chiefs Monahan and Chief Rodney Harrison, NYPD Chief of Patrol was called by Councilmen Chaim Deutsch and Kalman Yeger. The urgent meeting was called to discuss the necessity of increased police patrols over Yom Kippur. The meeting followed a meeting that took place the previous day. The earlier meeting included Jewish community leaders and was also called by Deutsch and Yeger. The purpose of the initial meeting was to discuss the security that took place over Rosh Hashanah and to discuss where more security is needed.  

Representatives of Williamsburg, Boro Park, and Flatbush participated. Participants included Rabbi David Niederman, Yanky Itzkowitz of Shomrim, Yanky Meyere from Misaskim, Berel Sprayalach, Rabbi Yeruchim Silber from Agudah, Rabbi Avi Greenstein, CEO BPJCC, Joel Rosenfeld of Bobov,   Berry Spitzer of Community Board One, Yakov Kaplam, Chezkel Bennet, Yaakov Berman and many more Jewish leaders.

The meeting was especially off the record without any press being allowed so that attendees could speak frankly and have an open discussion on the issues at hand. Deutsch and Yeger then took the information and brought it directly to the Mayor resulting in a follow-up meeting the next day with the police chief to assure maximum security for all NYC Jewish communities. As a result of that meeting, the police provided additional patrols and special security over the holiday. The community is very grateful to Chaim Deutch and Kalman Yeger for being on top of ensuring a safe Yom Tov for all.

Important Call to Community to H​​elp Secure the Neighborhood

In light of the number of hate crimes that have happened lately where the investigation was hampered because of the incidents were not correctly reported, UJO and Shomrim appeal to everyone to assist in such investigation  by doing the following, which is critical for the safety of the community. 

Open Enrollment Season to Register and Switch Medicare Part D Plans

The costs and specifics of what is covered for Medicare plans change year to year, making it very important for beneficiaries to review their policies annually. This will help to ensure that clients have the best plans to suit their needs for the upcoming year. For those who neglected to select and enroll in a medical plan at age 65, now is the time to register in order to benefit from the plan over the course of the next year.

Call UJO to schedule an appointment to review your personal medication needs, and to choose the best plan for you.

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s October 25, 2019 edition

​Brooklyn, NY –It is open registration season for Medicare Plan Part D. This means it is time for a once a year opportunity for Medicare party beneficiaries to choose if they would like to switch their medical plans. Open enrollment started on October 15. It will continue through December 7, Shabbos Parshas Vayetze.

UJO’s staff has undergone special Medicare plan training in order to be aware of the specifics as well as any changes. This makes UJO caseworkers qualified to help when it comes to making the right decision in choosing a medical plan. UJO caseworkers take the time to review the medication needs of each client and will advise them on if their existing plan has any changes that will affect them over the course of the upcoming year. They will help decide which plan will be the best fit for each client’s personal needs.

In order to review your choices and to rest assured that you are enrolling in the best plan for the upcoming year to cover your medical needs, call UJO at (718) 643-9700 to schedule an appointment with a specially trained caseworker.  Please bring the list of medications you are currently taking in order to your appointment in order for your caseworker to have the information needed to assist you in making an educated decision.

Important News Regarding Services for Williamsburg NYCHA Housing Residents

Important Meeting to Take Place on Wednesday, September 18 to discuss the Plan for Williams Plaza and Independence



 Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s September 13, 2019 edition



All residents of Williams Plaza and Independence should participate in the upcoming meeting regarding transferring the building management.



Brooklyn, NY –On Wednesday, September 18, an important meeting will take place for the residents of Williams Plaza and Independence. The meeting is being called to share the upcoming plans for the developments’ management, which will be transferred to a private management company.  The meeting will take place at PS 16 on Wilson Street.  The new management company will be in charge of renovating the units and will improve overall conditions for the residents.



Lawyers to Assist Residents with Lease Changes



 Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s September 13, 2019 edition



Brooklyn, NY –Lawyers will be available to assist residents with lease changes on Monday, September 23 between  10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Williams Plaza community room on 323 Robin Street. Additionally, the will be available to assist on Thursday, September 26 from 3 -7 p.m. at the Taylor White office at 626 White Place.

These sessions will offer the opportunity for residents to get legal services and guidance with  any of their housing issues.





Police Officers and Hatzolah Members Honored 


Brooklyn, NY –The police officers who were injured in the line of duty when responding to a call that got out of hand on Sunday,  August 18 were honored along with the Hatzolah volunteers who responded at the scene to assist the injured officers.