Impressive Participation at UJO 60 and Older Seminar  

Participants listened with interest to the very informative lectures presented by experts in their field including Reb Hershel Loebenberg who spoke on social security. Eric Hausman, Department of Aging, presented on healthcare decisions. Lawyer Michael Long spoke about financial factors seniors should keep in mind. 

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s February 15, 2019 edition

Brooklyn, NY –More than 150 Williamsburg residents at or near retirement age participated on Sunday, February 10 in the Sixty and Older Seminar arranged by the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn. The hall was already packed by the time the seminar was ready to begin, and UJO had to add many more rows of chairs because of the overflow crowd.

Participants were deeply interested in learning how to make the right decisions for their future. During the seminar, experts in their fields presented on how to make the most educated choices when it comes to making important retirement decisions. The UJO distributed 60 and Older, a twenty-page pamphlet that reviews much of the basic information given over during the seminar.  Hands-on worksheets were also utilized during the seminar. The worksheets were displayed on two large presentation screens as well so all could follow and take part in the presentation.  

The workshop was followed by a lively question and answer session. Many participants also chose to stay well after the seminar was officially over to have their questions answered. This helped many to digest the huge amount of very important information that was given over and will help attendees choose the right plans and take the right steps towards gaining the most from their retirement.

Presentations included topics such as social security subjects like the ideal age at which to retire; should one take one’s own benefits or one’s spouses benefits; whether or not it pays to work while receiving social security benefits; and who is eligible for SSI. Topics on Medicaid and Medicare coverage were also discussed including what the different plans cover; when does one need to register for a plan; if one should take an HMO plan or direct Medicare; and how much these plans cost. Other pertinent topics included estate planning; life insurance; IRA accounts; long term care; power of attorney and more.

For those who missed the workshop, UJO senior caseworkers are available during regular hours to those who would like one-on-one assistance in reviewing and making the right decisions. Help is also available for applying for the appropriate benefits. Residents are welcome to come into the UJO on 125 Heyward Street for assistance and to pick up the 60 and Older brochure published for the event providing basic information regarding senior programs and other important and practical advice.

Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, expressed his great appreciation and thanks to UJO staff and case workers for helping arrange the very informative and rich program. He also expressed his thanks to the presenters for coming down on a Sunday to assist the community with the important subject matter discussed which will help seniors have a dignified and comfortable retirement enjoying their golden years until the coming of Mashiach.

UJO to Hold Seminary for 60+ to Provide Practical Legal Advice for Retirement, Medicare and Estate Decisions

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s February 8, 2019 edition

The seminar will take place this upcoming Sunday, February 10, beginning at 2:30 promptly and ending at 4:30 at Pardes Moshe Hall

Brooklyn, NY –A large number of Williamsburg residents who are sixty and older and getting closer to retirement have already registered for the upcoming United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg 60 and Older Seminar that is scheduled to take place this upcoming Sunday, February 10 at Pardes Moshe Hall in the Bais Rochel Building on 125 Heyward Street.

The overwhelming interest in this seminar reflects the large number of residents who are looking for information on how to make the right decisions for their future. At the workshop, participants will hear advice from experts in the field who will help assist attendees in making the right decisions in a timely and appropriate manner.

Topics which will be covered include social security details such as what age one should retire; should one take one’s own benefits or one’s spouses benefits; whether or not it pays to work while receiving social security benefits; and who is eligible for SSI.

Topics on Medicaid and Medicare coverage will also be discussed including what the different plans cover; when does one need to register for a plan; if one should take an HMO plan or direct Medicare; and how much these plans cost.

Other pertinent topics which will be discussed include estate planning; life insurance; IRA accounts; long term care; power of attorney and more,

There will be three presenters at the seminar, one for each of the main topics followed by a question and answer session. Informational brochures will be available to take home detailing these important topics as well. To RSVP,  email SeniorRSVP @UnitedJewish.org or call (718) 643-9700 Ext 353.

Building Owners Attend Seminar  to Hear About Lead Safety Measures

 Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s February 1, 2019 edition

Building Owners Meet at UJO  with Health Department,  HPD at a forum to hear important information about lead safety measures and the lead grant for fixing lead problems.

Brooklyn, NY – On Tuesday evening, January 15, a group of proprietors of older houses and apartment buildings received important information from an HPD representative and a Department of Health official. The seminar was about the safety measures one must take against lead paint damages, and about the directives and procedure to receive HPD grants to repair lead paint problems in old houses, which can be especially harmful to young children.

Ms. Sarah Hovde of HPD’s Primary Prevention Program gave a presentation on the grant that provides thousands of dollars per apartment in order to remove lead damage and fix the paint. The group also heard from Mr. Askold Chemych, a Department of Health representative who works on lead issues.

Participating in the session were some homeowners who had already begun the procedure of applying for the grants and were waiting for confirmation. HPD explained that since the grants are coming from federal funds, they are tied up in various regulations. They are now at the beginning of a new-grant period, with new federal rules, which caused grant applications submitted in the last few months to be delayed more than usual. Also, the grants that will be over $100,000 for bigger buildings are tied to stricter and more complex bidding procedures, making those take longer. The agency is working, however, to organize the new grant system with the goal of being able to provide grants for smaller buildings shortly; and for larger buildings as soon as possible after that. To hear if you might be eligible for the grant, you can call the UJO Lead Safety division.

Free training for construction workers, superintendents, building owners or property managers, etc. to become certified to work on buildings with lead paint is also available through the Department of  Health. The trainings will take place on Sundays, March 10^th and April 7^th from 8:30  a.m.-5: 00 p.m. To register a spot for you or your workers at one of the trainings, please call the UJO Lead Safety division at 718-643-9700, ext. 241, or send an email to leadsafety@unitedjewish.org. 

Winter Advice Regarding Heat and Hot Water issues

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s February 1, 2019 edition

NYCHA Residents: Please don’t leave hot water running when not in use.

Brooklyn, NY – NYCHA residents who frequently have issues with heat and hot water know that they can always count on the  UJO of Williamsburg to intervene for them. Whenever there are such issues, even late at night, we are working with NYCHA, our devoted Councilman Steve Levin and Pinny Ringel of the Mayor's office. Very often, we are in touch with NYCHA headquarters as late as 12-1 AM and during weekends to restore heat. Unfortunately, sometimes it can take time to repair such issues, but a concerted effort is being made to expedite such repairs. NYCHA is working on a larger plan that will hopefully result in significant upgrades to the boilers, ending those chronic heat outages.

NYCHA plumbing division brought to the attention of the UJO that some residents leave hot water running thinking it will help fix heating issues. The fact is that leaving the water running is counterproductive. It does not repair the problem at all which is why we are asking residents not to leave the water running. We appeal to residents, for their benefit, that the hot water should just be left off until heat is restored and they want to use it. 

Public Advocate  Candidates Visit the UJO and Meet with Community and School Leaders to Hear about the Needs of the Community

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s February 1, 2019 edition

In anticipation for the special election public advocate that is taking place on Tuesday, February 26 in less than four weeks, some candidates visited the UJO of Williamsburg to talk about their backgrounds and plans and to hear about what the  community’s issues are

Brooklyn, NY –During December, Councilmember Jummane Williams visited the UJO of Williamsburg to meet with community leaders. Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (who was a candidate at the time but who has since backed out of the race) was also on hand to discuss issues of social justice and her championing of these issues.

Two weeks ago, the UJO met with Councilman Rafael Espinal. Espinal has a close rapport with the UJO and is a renowned champion for the needs of Holocaust survivors. He has sponsored Holocaust initiatives that have provided funding for hundreds of Holocaust survivors to get food, socialization services and more.

On Monday, January 38, the UJO met with Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, who represents parts of Flatbush and has a close relationship with the UJO. Rodriguez boasts an impressive background as an immigrant who worked his way up and went on to teach. Councilman  Rodriguez has a deep understanding and a special affinity to bilingual education.

All of these candidates presented their views and plans for their office while the UJO presented the needs of the community and the issues that are important to them.