UJO Commends Mayor de Blasio and the New York City DOE for Expanding the Free Meals Program to Include a Glatt Kosher Option

Williamsburg Adults and Children will have Available Three Glatt Kosher Meals Starting Tomorrow

UJO Thanks all Elected Officials who Advocated for the Kosher Grab N Go Option

New York – In satiating news for Orthodox Jews, the NYC Department of Education announced today that they will expand the Free Meals Program to provide Glatt Kosher meals meeting the food needs of Orthodox Jews observing kosher diets. The kosher meals will be available at specific sites in areas with larger Orthodox populations. It will be made available first at Williamsburg, and later in the week at other locations. The expansions of the program come after weeks of advocacy by the UJO and other organizations representing Orthodox Jewish communities in NYC.

Yeshivas who run Free Lunch Programs are already doing a great service to the community by offering breakfasts and lunch to children in the community during this crisis, despite being closed. They are feeding tens of thousands of children in Williamsburg and an estimated 100,000 citywide. However, as per the program’s guidelines, their meals can only be offered for minors, and they can only provide two meals a day. Many adults are literally going hungry during this health and economic crisis, while people of all ages didn’t have where to get a kosher dinner, which is the most nutritious and important meal for most.

To ensure that no one – no matter the age or the time of the day – goes hungry, the UJO worked with partner-Jewish organizations on the committee for non-public schools to advocate that the city’s Free Meals Program, that provides three daily meals for all ages, should also provide a Glatt Kosher option.

”Food insecurity is impacting many of our fellow New Yorkers and the DOE is proud to be part of the City’s efforts to give everyone has access to nutritious meals completely free of charge. To date, we’ve served 4.5 million meals and are now proud to offer kosher, halal, and vegetarian meals to meet the needs of our diverse City for the duration of this crisis,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza.

"As a city, we are doing whatever we can to ensure no New Yorker goes hungry during this crisis - and that includes our neighbors with religious dietary needs. We are proud to be able to offer these kosher-certified meals in addition to the halal and vegetarian options already available," said Kathryn Garcia, NYC COVID-19 Food Czar and Department of Sanitation Commissioner.

“Come tomorrow, NYC Department of Education will finally fulfill its stated mission ‘to making three free meals available daily for any New Yorker.’ Literally everyone – from young to old – will be able to pick up three nutritious meals daily We are grateful to Mayor de Blasio, Commissioner and food-czar Kathryn Garcia, and the DOE for understanding the need and for including a Glatt Kosher option, and that the program will start first in Williamsburg tomorrow,” said Rabbi David Niederman, President of the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn.

“We are also grateful to all elected officials who worked with us to advocate for this vital program, including our dear Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, our Councilman Stephen Levin, and his colleagues Jewish Caucus Chair Chaim Deutsch, Education Chair Mark Treyger, Councilman Kalman Yeger, Councilman Justin Brennan, Borough Park’s Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, and a dear advocate for North Williamsburg and beyond Lincoln Restler. This list just includes those representatives with whom we worked directly on this issue, but many more elected officials advocated for the program and we are grateful for them,” Rabbi Niederman concluded.

Williamsburg residents can pick up the free kosher meals starting:

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21^st

At PS 257 John F Hylan  

60 Cook Street,

Between Manhattan and Graham Avenues

Brooklyn 11206

Starting Wednesday. April 29, 2020, 
there  will be another Kosher Free Meals site, 
at I.S. 113, 300 Willoughby Avenue, 
between Franklin and Kent Avenues

Pickup times for children and families from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, and for adults from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – but no one will be turned away at any of those times

·        All adults and children can pick up three meals at one time

·        Parents and guardians may pick up meals for their children

·        No registration or ID required

·        Meals will be Under the Volovo Kosher Certication

Kosher meal hubs in other neighborhoods will open on Thursday, April 23rd. For information on other sites, please visit schools.nyc.gov/koshermeals

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 Thanks Mayor de Blasio for New Child Care Assistance for Working Families and Parking Relief for Area’s Sabbath Observers

Major announcements made at Townhall tonight with Councilman Steve Levin, following long-time interventions by the UJO

Williamsburg – Tonight, Mayor de Blasio came to speak to residents of the area, and many long-standing issues – from parking restrictions hurting Sabbath observers, to working-families waiting for Child Care and After School services, and many other issues throughout the council-manic district - were resolved.

Among the announcements that the Mayor made at the district’s Town Hall, hosted by Councilman Stephen Levin, were that the city will send out letters this week to working parents who are on the Child Care and After School Vouchers wait list for years offering them a voucher. The city will fund 1,700 new vouchers, thanks to over 15 million dollars in additional funding provided by the Mayor and the City Council in the current budget years. The issuance of those vouchers was delayed, but in more good news, the mayor assured that the funding will be fully utilized, as intended by the council and the administration, unlike in the past, when delays in issuance of the vouchers resulted in a reduction in assistance for working families.

Mayor de Blasio also announced that the parking meters on Division Avenue and Roebling Street will be reprogrammed to for Fridays, to enable Sabbath observers to park there on Fridays. Currently, those meters regulations are in effect on Fridays till 7. During winter Fridays, when Sabbath starts as early as 4:13pm, Orthodox Jews were unable to park their cars at these streets.

Responding to the request by Rabbi David Niederman, president of the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn, to lift the No Parking 4-7 PM on Lee Avenue for Fridays - which prevents Orthodox Jews from parking on that major Avenue before most Saturdays – the Mayor and DOT Commissioner Trottenberg responded that the agency is currently studying such a change.

The Mayor also announced that parts of Myrtle Avenue – which currently has daily street cleaning om each side, including Sabbath – the cleaning on Sabbath will cease, so that Sabbath observer can park there before Sabbath without being penalized. Councilman Stephen Levin drew attention to this matter and proposed legislation, after Orthodox Jews were ticketed on that Avenue on the Saturday immediately after Rosh Hashanah.

In major news for the entire Community District 1, the mayor  confirmed that come fall the entire Community Board 1, which encompasses Williamsburg, will see its Street Cleaning halved, from twice on each side of the street to once on each side. Assemblyman Joe Lentol, Community Board 1 and the UJO, have requested that change for years. The Mayor also announced new funding for parks in the area – including major investments in the Bushwick Inlet Park - and a range of other major accomplishments for the district.

The UJO intervened for years on most of those issues. It was an exciting night to hear that so many of those issues were resolved, thanks the Mayor and the agencies dedicated efforts.

“We are beyond grateful for the mayor for announcing and implementing the major assistance for working families as well as parking relief for Sabbath observers and the entire area. We advocated for years on these issues, and when the mayor came to town it was finally resolved,” said Rabbi David Niederman.

“This is a hands-on Mayor who understands so well all the issues. It’s amazing how he responded to each and every question with such clarity, and just called on his staff to fill in on specific details. This is a mayor who cares for all communities and all city residents,” added Rabbi Niederman. “Tonight’s Town Hall was an embodiment of how the mayor listen’s to everyone and understand and is addressing the unique challenges and needs of all communities, assuring real equality. We thank the mayor and his dedicated Commissioners and staff for these major accomplishments.”

Thanks Waste Management for Wasting No Effort in Tefilin Search

Amid disappointment, we are tremendously thankful to all participants in the intensive effort to recover the Tefilin.

 

Brooklyn, NY – After a two-week quest to recover a set of tefilins that were lost in Williamsburg – which led tens of volunteers to a landfill in Rochester – it’s disappointing that the tefilin were not found and we couldn’t give it the due respect. But, it’s not for the lack of trying.

Two weeks ago, a worshipper at a Williamsburg synagogue lost his tefilin. After several days searching for it, figuring that it was misplaced etc., the security cameras were reviewed. It turned out that the tefilin slipped out into a garbage bin without being notice.

The person contacted the UJO late Saturday night, and the UJO in turn contacted the North Brooklyn Sanitation Chief, Mr. Jerrit Scotti, who was very responsive as always. It turned out that refuse bags collected from the synagogue were already hauled away by Waste Management, and mixed up with a huge amount of garbage from around North Brooklyn, making its way to a Rochester-area landfill.

With assistance from elected officials and City Hall, Waste Management was contacted. WM quickly identified 32 train cars where the garbage of the area was transferred in. A request was made that when the train arrives at the landfill these cars should be kept isolated to allow a search through its content. During this week, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, a group of about 25 volunteers from Brooklyn and another 50 locals hired to assist sifted through the garbage, opening up the bags to look for the tefilin.

The group during the search at their landfill

Rochester Police with a K9 dog at the landfill

Today, they finished the search, but unfortunately the tefilin wasn't located. It's heartbreaking to see them return home empty handed. While it’s very disappointing, we know that they and all involved tried the utmost to save this tefilin, and we are tremendously thankful to all who assisted.

“I must express the community's appreciation to Waste Management and its top leadership for their assistance. During the last 12 days, they spent countless hours to plan this operation. They went out of the way to accommodate us, and even donated $1,000 to offer a reward to the worker who will find the tefilin. It's heartwarming to have experienced what a social-responsible company they are. They really went above and beyond to help in this mission, recognizing how important and valuable the tefilin is to the community,” said Rabbi David Niederman.

“I'm thankful to all who assisted us since we started looking for the Tefilin: Chiefly Chief Scotti, who is always available and responsive; Councilman Steve Levin who got on it during the Sunday wee hours; Senator Squadron's assistant Robbie Young, CAU members Pinny Ringel and Daniel Abramson who responded on a Sunday morning and worked to establish the connection with WM; Rachel Amar from OATH who finally established the contact with WM; John Sullivan of WM who started the ball rolling on Sunday, together with Jay Kaplan, and Jefferey Richardson who prepared and oversaw the search at the landfill.”

“Special thanks go to the tens of community members who left their families, busy schedules and jobs, spending days far away on this unpleasant – but important – task, and to their families who allowed and encouraged them to take on this holy mission. We also thank all the contributors of the tens of thousands of dollars to cover this mission. You all tried, and what counts to Hashem is the efforts you made.”

Below is local coverage of the story:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/11/16/nyc-jewish-residents-search-perinton-landfill-lost-artifacts/93952490/

http://www.whec.com/news/religious-item-search-synagogue-fairport-landfill/4318856/?cat=565

http://13wham.com/news/top-stories/group-of-hasidic-jewish-men-search-perinton-landfill-for-lost-artifact

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/485517/video-and-photos-the-search-for-the-missing-talis-and-tefillin-is-underway-at-an-upstate-ny-garbage-dump.html

http://www.vosizneias.com/254469/2016/11/17/new-york-missing-tallis-bag-leads-brooklyn-men-to-rochester-landfill-where-teamwork-and-volunteerism-are-part-of-massive-search/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=email_this&utm_source=email

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/11/17/search-through-12m-pounds-trash-fails-turn-up-jewish-prayer-boxes/94042776/

 

Thanks Waste Management for Wasting No Effort in Tefilin Search

Amid disappointment, we are tremendously thankful to all participants in the intensive effort to recover the Tefilin.

 

Brooklyn, NY – After a two-week quest to recover a set of tefilins that were lost in Williamsburg – which led tens of volunteers to a landfill in Rochester – it’s disappointing that the tefilin were not found and we couldn’t give it the due respect. But, it’s not for the lack of trying.

Two weeks ago, a worshipper at a Williamsburg synagogue lost his tefilin. After several days searching for it, figuring that it was misplaced etc., the security cameras were reviewed. It turned out that the tefilin slipped out into a garbage bin without being notice.

The person contacted the UJO late Saturday night, and the UJO in turn contacted the North Brooklyn Sanitation Chief, Mr. Jerrit Scotti, who was very responsive as always. It turned out that refuse bags collected from the synagogue were already hauled away by Waste Management, and mixed up with a huge amount of garbage from around North Brooklyn, making its way to a Rochester-area landfill.

With assistance from elected officials and City Hall, Waste Management was contacted. WM quickly identified 32 train cars where the garbage of the area was transferred in. A request was made that when the train arrives at the landfill these cars should be kept isolated to allow a search through its content. During this week, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, a group of about 25 volunteers from Brooklyn and another 50 locals hired to assist sifted through the garbage, opening up the bags to look for the tefilin.

The group during the search at their landfill

Rochester Police with a K9 dog at the landfill

Today, they finished the search, but unfortunately the tefilin wasn't located. It's heartbreaking to see them return home empty handed. While it’s very disappointing, we know that they and all involved tried the utmost to save this tefilin, and we are tremendously thankful to all who assisted.

“I must express the community's appreciation to Waste Management and its top leadership for their assistance. During the last 12 days, they spent countless hours to plan this operation. They went out of the way to accommodate us, and even donated $1,000 to offer a reward to the worker who will find the tefilin. It's heartwarming to have experienced what a social-responsible company they are. They really went above and beyond to help in this mission, recognizing how important and valuable the tefilin is to the community,” said Rabbi David Niederman.

“I'm thankful to all who assisted us since we started looking for the Tefilin: Chiefly Chief Scotti, who is always available and responsive; Councilman Steve Levin who got on it during the Sunday wee hours; Senator Squadron's assistant Robbie Young, CAU members Pinny Ringel and Daniel Abramson who responded on a Sunday morning and worked to establish the connection with WM; Rachel Amar from OATH who finally established the contact with WM; John Sullivan of WM who started the ball rolling on Sunday, together with Jay Kaplan, and Jefferey Richardson who prepared and oversaw the search at the landfill.”

“Special thanks go to the tens of community members who left their families, busy schedules and jobs, spending days far away on this unpleasant – but important – task, and to their families who allowed and encouraged them to take on this holy mission. We also thank all the contributors of the tens of thousands of dollars to cover this mission. You all tried, and what counts to Hashem is the efforts you made.”

Below is local coverage of the story:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/11/16/nyc-jewish-residents-search-perinton-landfill-lost-artifacts/93952490/

http://www.whec.com/news/religious-item-search-synagogue-fairport-landfill/4318856/?cat=565

http://13wham.com/news/top-stories/group-of-hasidic-jewish-men-search-perinton-landfill-for-lost-artifact

UJO Thanks DEP for Completing Sewer Main Replacement Work on Rodney Street in Two weeks; UJO Holds Holocaust Survivors Women's Luncheon

 In another item of March 4's column (p. 30, middle of page), the UJO thanked the New York City DEP for completing the sewer main replacement work on Rodney Street in two weeks, as promised during a meeting with Councilman Levin, UJO, and Associate Commissioner Eric Landau, in the offices of the main Satmar shul on that street.

Last year, a DEP project affected adversely the traffic on this busy street during the Purim and Passover season. At the meeting, Mr. Landau promised that the project will only take a couple of weeks and it will be completed way before the Purim holiday.

"On behalf of the residents of Rodney Street, the Satmar Congregation and numerous shul-goers there, we thank the DEP for completing the important reconstruction of the sewer infrastructure so rapidly, minimizing the affects and inconveniences on the street. We express a special thanks to Associate Commissioner Mr. Eric Landau for assuring that the impacts of the project are kept to minimal, and to Councilman Levin for his intervention on this mater," said Rabbi David Niederman, UJO President. 

*

Another item on that page (bottom left shaded box) reported on the Seniors and Holocaust Survivors Women's Luncheon that UJO will hold on Monday, March 7, 2016.

The program will include a Historic Presentation via the Kleinman Holocaust Education Center, a Slide Presentation from the Past, Musical Entertainment, Scrumptious Meal, and more. 

March 4, 2016 Column: Meeting with HRA Commissioner and Councilman Levin to Discuss Career Training for the... by United Jewish Column

March 4, 2016 Column: Meeting with HRA Commissioner and Councilman Levin to Discuss Career Training for the Community

UJO's column in Der Yid's March 4th, 2016 issue (p. 28), reported on a meeting arranged by Councilman Stephen Levin, with HRA Commissioner Steve Banks, to discuss better workforce opportunities for the Haredi Community in the city.

The effort to bring better training programs is led by Rabbi Moshe Wiener of JCC of Greater Coney Island, together with the UJO, Borough Park JCC led by Rabbi Yeruchem Silber, and Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush, which was represented by Rabbi Leon Weltz and Rabbi Leon Goldenberg. In addition to the above, the meeting was attended by Rabbi Dovid Yoseph Tahler of Agudas Israel Community Services, and Ms. Roth-Kohn of the UJA. Mr. Avi Fink, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Mayor de Blasio, and Mr. Simcha Eichenstein.

"I'm utmost thankful to Councilman Levin for arranging the meeting, and for Commissioner Bank's understanding of the importance of these classes, and for committing to continue this discussion how to bring better training programs to the community. I also express my appreciation to Avi Fink of the Mayor's office and Simcha Eichenstein - who is working with devotion for the community - for making the meeting a success, and for Rabbi Wiener and all JCCs and organizations who worked with us to study and present the issue and need for additional training classes," Said Rabbi David Niederman, UJO President.

"I feel that this is an important step to be able to bring additional training for decent jobs for the community, Go-d willing."

 

March 4, 2016 Column: Meeting with HRA Commissioner and Councilman Levin to Discuss Career Training for the...

Assemblyman Lentol Meets with Community Leaders, NYPD’s Top Brass, and Other Elected Officials to Discuss the Recent Spate of Hate Crimes Against the Hasidic Jewish Community in South Williamsburg

Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol (D-North Brooklyn) met last week with Rabbi David Niederman, Director of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn; Williamsburg Shomrim; New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) 90^th Precinct Commanding Officer Mark DiPaolo and Patrol Borough Brooklyn North Commanding Officer Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey; Senator Daniel Squadron; Senator Martin Dilan; Assemblywoman Maritza Davila; and representatives from Council Member Steve Levin’s Office, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Office and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams’ Office to discuss the recent spate of hate crimes on members of the Hasidic Jewish community within South Williamsburg.

There have been several incidents over the last few months in which Hasidic Jewish community members have been paintballed, attacked with bottles, and otherwise physically assaulted. The meeting was called at the request of Rabbi Niederman to discuss how the community could become more involved in preventing these heinous crimes.

NYPD top brass stressed the importance of using video cameras in the apprehension of perpetrators and also voiced how important it is for private security cameras to be in working order, as many times crimes are solved using their footage. While the group determined that video cameras act not only as a great tool for finding perpetrators, they are also a valuable deterrent and create a greater sense of safety in any community. The elected officials pledged to work together on an education campaign to inform residents of the value of having working security cameras and are in the process of securing additional funding to purchase more cameras for the area.

“We all came together because there is no better way to solve problems than with a broad coalition. No person should be subject to an assault – no matter their religion or the color of their skin. I know these perpetrators will be caught and I know that the NYPD and the Williamsburg Shomrim are hard at work to prevent any future attacks,” Lentol said.

Source: Press Release by Assemblyman Lentol's office

For additional coverage of the meeting see: http://jpupdates.com/2015/07/14/city-officials-meet-with-williamsburg-jewish-community-leaders-to-discuss-recent-hate-crimes/


R to L: Assemblyman Joel Lentol, Piny Ringel of Mayor de Blasio's CAU, Councilman Levin's Deputy Chief of Staff Casey Adams, Senator Marty Dilan and his Legislative Director Charvey Gonzalez, Inspector Patrick Keane of Special Victims Unit, CO of 90th Precinct Deputy Inspector Mark DiPaolo, Patrol Borough Brooklyn North Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, Rabbi Abe Friedman of Borough President Eric Adams' office



From center clock wise: Assemblyman Lentol's Communication Directory Edward Baker, State Senator Squadron's Communications Director Dan Weisfeld, UJO President Rabbi David Niederman, Williamsburg Shomrim Coordinator Mr. Yanky Itzkowitz, Rabbi Friedman, Chief Maddrey, Deputy Inspector DiPaolo, Inspector Keane, Rabbi Fisher, Mr. Gonzalez, Senator Dilan, Mr. Adams, Mr. Ringel, Assemblyman Lentol, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Councilman Marc Levine, Assemblywoman Maritza Davilla, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito's Jewish Liaison Jennie Berger

 

December 26, 2014 Column: Meeting with DOT Commissioner to Discuss Wallabout-Flushing Traffic

December 26, 2015, Column: HRA Commissioner Meets with UJO; Large Crowd at Wallabout-Flushing Meeting with... by United Jewish Column

The article on page 22 and 23 reported on a very-successful meeting with the DOT - arranged by the UJO together with Councilman Levin and Assemblyman Lentol - to discuss severe traffic issues on Wallabout Street and Flushing Avenue.
Brooklyn DOT Commissioner Mr. Keith Bray led the meeting; Councilman Levin attended, together with representatives of Assemblyman Lentol and Senator Squadron.
Attendees expressed overwhelming support for the UJO-proposed plan to turn Wallabout into a one-way street for the safety of the area and to ease congestion; DOT will consider improvements to the plan suggested by residents.

December 26, 2014, Column: HRA Commissioner Meets with UJO

Article appears on page 15 and 25.

 

HRA Commissioner Steve Banks meets with the UJO; Councilman Steve Levin, General Welfare Chair, attend the meeting; Various issues effecting Medicaid and Food Stamps (SNAP) recipients discussed.

Commissioner details plans to improve computer system to enable food stamps applicants to to review the status on their cases and applications; Will address other issues raised at the meeting.

 

 

December 26, 2015, Column: HRA Commissioner Meets with UJO

Statement by Rabbi David Niederman on Mayor de Blasio’s Base Lining of Additional Priority 5 Child Care Vouchers

“The community is tremendously thankful to Mayor de Blasio for base lining an additional 12.6 million dollars to fund Priority 5 vouchers for working parents, bringing crucial assistance to so many poor, hard-working families and their children city-wide. Base lining will give these families the peace of mind and security that they will be able to continue benefitting from it on a steady basis, so that they can look and find permanent work,” said Rabbi David Niederman.

Mayor de Blasio was always a strong proponent of extending child care services for working families, and from day one as mayor he was committed to reopen this important assistance to additional eligible children. Last year, the City Council, under the leadership of Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito included 12.6 million dollars for additional vouchers. It followed the strong advocacy of Councilman Stephen Levin, Chair of the General Welfare Committee, who was joined by many of his colleagues who called the city to restart issuing new Priority 5 vouchers – discontinued by the Bloomberg Administration.  The funding was enabled through the support of the Mayor. Today’s announcement by the mayor, that it will be base lined in the routine budget, as requested by the City Council, goes a long way in making this restoration permanent.

“We thank Speaker Mark-Viverito, Councilman Levin, and Mr. Avi Fink, for their hard work to expand child care services to all New Yorkers. Today’s decision is another step forward in the Mayor’s hard work to uplift all New Yorkers. We are grateful for that,” said Rabbi Niederman.

Councilman Levin's statement on baselining of low-income child care vouchers in Executive Budget

BROOKLYN – Council Member Stephen Levin is applauding the baselining of $12.6 million for low-income child care vouchers in New York City’s Fiscal Year 2016 Executive Budget. Low-income vouchers are an important resource for families throughout the City who depend on them to provide child care for their children. Levin, the Chair of the Committee on General Welfare, has made the baselining of funding for low-income vouchers a top priority during budget negotiations.

 

“The baselining of funding for low-income child care vouchers is a major step for families in need of child care in the communities I represent and throughout New York City. Families deserve high quality child care and by taking this action, we will help to ensure that families throughout New York City have continued access to this important resource. Thank you to Mayor de Blasio and his Administration for including this important funding in the Executive Budget.”

Thousands Benefit from UJO of Williamsburg and Met Council Huge Annual Passover Food Distribution

Williamsburg – The annual pre-Passover food distribution by the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn (UJO) in partnership with the Met Council - that took place today (Sunday) in the Brooklyn Navy Yard – will help feed many thousands during the upcoming Passover holiday.

The UJO’s annual distribution is conducted in a drive thru system, with two rows of open-trunked cars passing pallets of the distributed items, and crews unloading cases of food products into their cars. It was amazing to watch, during the span of many hours, as an endless row of cars kept moving, and each of them emerged from the drive-thru line with a car load of Passover staples.

This distribution is very important in advance of the Passover holiday, when families face a limited and expansive Kosher for Passover food selection, and Hasidic families only eat what they prepare themselves in their own kitchens. It requires purchasing large quantities of the Passover staples, something that many families, unfortunately, cannot afford. The annual distribution assists many of these families to enjoy a happy Passover, and assure that they aren’t going hungry for the eight-day holiday.

The distribution was joined by NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, Assemblymen Joe Lentol and Dov Hikind, Councilmembers Steve Levin, Laurie Cumbo and Rafael Espinal, Mr. Pinny Ringel of Mayor de Blasio’s Community Assistance unit, Mr. Pinny Hikind of Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office, District Leader Nick Rizzo, and many others who came to show support for this mega charitable endeavor.

“This distribution only took place thanks to Met Council. Many thousands of families – in Williamsburg an throughout the City and beyond - will happily celebrate the Passover, and have happier and easier lives year-round, thanks to this important organization,” said Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director of the UJO. “I want to express our appreciation to Agger Fish Corp. and its president Mr. Marc Agger for providing the warehouse for this year’s distribution. It is a major contribution to the neighborhood. I also want to thank the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the NYPD’s 88th Precinct as well as the volunteers from the Williamsburg Safety Patrol (WSPU), for their assistance with making today’s distribution a success.”

“The Passover Haggadah teaches us to ‘let all who are hungry come to our table,”’ said Met Council CEO and Executive Director David M. Frankel. “With one in four Jewish New Yorkers struggling to feed their families kosher and nutritious foods, Met Council’s extraordinary staff works every day with our Jewish Community Council network — located on the front lines in all five boroughs — and City and State agency partners to provide dignified solutions to hunger. The 2.2 million pounds of food and $430,000 in food cards we distribute prior to Pesach will enable our clients to observe the holiday with a traditional and nutritious meal that otherwise would have been price prohibitive.”

 

“We thank Rabbi Niederman and the UJO of Williamsburg for their tireless efforts to provide for New Yorkers in need, and for all they did to make today's food distribution such a great success," Mr. Frankel concluded.

Cars Driving Thru and Emerging the Line Filled Up

With Assemblymen Lentol and Hikind, and Mr. Eric Munson of Met Council

Products Lined out in the Warehouse

 

 

Borough President Eric Adams Unloads Products into a Car

Councilman Rafael Espinal Unloads Products into a Car

Councilman Steve Levin Borough Unloads Products into a Car

Public Advocate Tish James Unloads Products into a Car

Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo Unloads Product to a Minivan



Volunteers for Shomrim and others assisting for the distribution, with Boro President Eric Adams, Councilman Steve Levin, Captain Peter Fiorillo of the 88^th precinct, Rabbi Niederman Pinny Ringel, senior member of the Mayor’s Community Assistance unit, District Leader Nick Rizzo, and others

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson unloads distributed products, with Councilmember Laurie Cumbo applauding

With Assemblyman Joe Lentol, District Attorney Ken Thompson, and Assemblyman Dov Hikind

Public Advocate Tish James and District Attorney Ken Thompson with Mark Agger, of Agger Fish, who made available his warehouse to serve as the distribution hub