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.