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

 

UJO Applauds Supreme Court Affordable Health Care Act Decision

The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn  - a premier social services agency servicing thousands with health care enrollments and an array of other social services annually - released the following statement in response to today's Supreme Court Affordable Health Care Act Ruling:

“As an agency helping to enroll thousands in Affordable Health Care Act, we applaud today's Supreme Court decision to uphold this important act for millions of Americans. Fortunately, New York State has the Health Exchange Marketplace, which is of the best in the nation to enroll in the Affordable Health Care Plans. Our clients would continue to benefit from their plans notwithstanding today's ruling. However, today's decision is important to millions nationwide to continue affording them the opportunity of affordable quality health care coverage," said Rabbi David Niederman, UJO President.

Las year, Rabbi Niederman joined President Obama in the White House to celebrate eight million Affordable Health Care Act sign-ups.

January 2, 2015 Column: Emergency HEAP Program Starts on Friday; Applications Accepted in the UJO Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

The article reported that Emergency HEAP Program Starts on Friday; Applications Accepted in the UJO Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; Emergency HEAP can provide up to $575 (in addition to regular HEAP) to prevent utility shut-off.

The article had the guidelines, required documents, maximum income, and other information for perspective applicants looking for assistance to cover their heating and utility bills.

 

January 2, 2015 Column: Emergency HEAP Program Starts on Friday; Applications Accepted in the UJO Every Mon...

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.”