They Drowned Like Lead

Synopsis of Yiddish article in Der Yid’s April 19,  2019 edition

Brooklyn, NY –  On the seventh day of Passover, in the Song of the Sea, we read how the Mitzrayim were drowned like lead –as in they sunk like the heavy metal. In the last few years, lead continues to hold a prominent place in news headlines especially in the Williamsburg and Boro Park neighborhoods which have the highest rates of children with high lead levels in their blood.

This troubling statistic led to the collaboration between the UJO and the NYC Health Department. Together, the two organization are working to raise awareness among residents regarding the harm of lead paint found in old houses. Awareness has been created through a variety of venues including campaign with ads placed on bus shelters, in  the newspaper, near Chol Hamoed events, school gatherings, and more. 

In NYC the most common reason for lead in children is that they live in old houses where lead paint had been used. When paint peels or cracks, crumbs of it fall to the floor and onto toys and are ingested by the children. 

In an attempt to fight lead poisoning, New York City established Local Law 1 in 2004. The law requires that landlords must inspect the apartments every year for peeling paint. If peeling paint is found, it must be fixed. For any work that is undertaken in places with lead, special measures must be taken to prevent the spreading of lead dust. Since this law went into effect, the rates of children in NYC who suffer lead poisoning sharply declined. Still, ninety percent of the children in Williamsburg with a high lead number were concentrated in the zip code of Hasidic Williamsburg: 11211, and in a very small neighborhood. The second highest rate of lead poisoning was Boro Park, at 5.1 children per 1,000.  By 2014, Williamsburg saw improvement, but the rate was still too high.  

To combat the ill-effects of lead  poisoning, landlords are required by law to take special measures to protect tenants. This includes checking the apartments every year to see if paint is peeling. If an apartment has peeling paint, it must be fixed. For any work that is undertaken in places with lead, special measures must be taken to prevent the lead dust from spreading. 

When renovations are undertaken in such houses, specially certified workers need to be hired, and special cleaning methods must be used. Tenants and occupants must keep an eye on paint to check whether it’s peeling, especially on windowsills. Residents must wash floors often as well as windowsills, hands, toys, and pacifiers. Parents must also make sure that their children are tested for lead at the age of one or two as required by law. 

Residents who want to hear more about lead safety measures can call the UJO Lead Division at 718-643-9700, ext. 241, or write to leadsafety@unitedjewish.org with questions or to schedule a consultation. 

Free training for construction workers, superintendents, building owners or property managers, etc. to become certified to work on buildings with lead paint is available.  Landlords and institutions must use certified workers when performing renovations on buildings. Workers who take the one-day training receive a certificate that they have undergone the “renovate, fix, and paint” course and are then certified for safe lead- paint practices.

To register a spot for you or your workers at one of the training sessions, please call the UJO Lead Safety division at 718-643-9700, ext. 241, or send an email to leadsafety@unitedjewish.org.

UJO Arranges Special Garbage Pickup Service With Sanitation Department Before Holiday

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s Friday, April 12, 2019 edition

Starting from Sunday evening until Erev Pesach, regular garbage can be put out every evening. Bulk containers can be put out starting Motzei Shabbos until bedikus chometz night and then again on Monday after Yom Tov. Recycling is on the regular schedule with an additional pick-up Thursday morning so recycling can be put out Wednesday evening. Garbage should be put out as early as possible on  Passover eve so that it will be removed before the chometz burning zman

Brooklyn, NY –As it has done for many years on behalf of the Williamsburg community, the UJO met with the Department of Sanitation to arrange for additional service to assist in cleaning the neighborhood before Yom Tov through the removal of the huge amount of garbage amassed before the holiday.

It is requested that the community follow the schedule and rules. The department provides many special services and works with devotion to assure a clean and pleasant holiday. In turn, the community needs to do whatever possible to help public workers in going about their work so that their job can get done expediently.

Pickup Locations:

 Driggs Avenue – Division Avenue

Bedford Avenue – Rutledge Street

Bedford Avenue - Park Avenue

Bedford Avenue - Willoughby Street

Bedford Avenue – South 9 Street

Lee Avenue – Wallabout Street

Lee Avenue – Taylor Street

 Wythe Avenue – Division Avenue

Wallabout Street – Harrison Avenue

Holiday Food Distribution by the UJO to Take Place the Week of Passover, Sunday, April 14 Starting at 11 a.m.at Navy Yard Building 293

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s Friday, April 12, 2019 edition

Like last year the entrance to the food distribution will be on Clymer Street and Kent Avenue. Traffic will come through Kent Avenue. Through traffic will be closed at the Kent Avenue intersection. The food distribution is done jointly with the Met Council chesed organization. A large number of cards were distributed last Sunday. Security will only allow card bearing individuals to enter. Please come as early as possible to make sure you receive all the allotted products.

Brooklyn, NY – The huge pre-Passover annual distribution by the UJO provides 1,000’s of cases of holiday staples for the community providing great savings for large families. The distribution will take place at the Navy Yard on Sunday, April 14 at Building 293. This is a different location than last year. The entrance will be on Clymer Street and Kent Avenue.

For many years the UJO has conducted large scale Passover holiday food distributions to benefit thousands of local Williamsburg residents. The distribution is possible thanks to the generous assistance of the Met Council organization which provides a tremendous quantity of staple products to the community. The distribution is one of the largest of the many which take place throughout the city. It is renowned for assisting a large number of families in a dignified and professional manner.

The distribution will take place at Building 293 which was graciously provided by Mr. Roger Krulak CEO of Full Stock Modular.  The UJO is very thankful for his support to the Williamsburg community. Before the distribution, the UJO met with  the manager of the Navy Yard; 90th Precinct Captain Timothy Skretch; and Captain Dyce, 88^th Precinct. UJO also met with Chevra Shomirm, Mr. Duetch and Mr. Freidman to plan the logistics including traffic control and other necessary arrangements.

Participants are requested to please follow the directions provided by Shomirim, askanim and the police who will be there to guide and assure that the distribution is a smooth and coordinated process for all. These individuals are going out of their way to assist the community and to give of their valuable time for this huge community chesed project, and as such, they deserve everyone’s full cooperation.

UJO, Assemblyman Lentol and Councilman Levin Demand That the Housing Authority Restart Cooking Gas at 85 Tayler Street as Soon as Possible

 Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s Friday, April 5, 2019 edition

The United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn, Assemblyman Joseph Lentol and Councilman Stephen Levin asked for information on why the gas for the entire building was closed.  

Brooklyn, NY – UJO together with the devoted Assemblyman  Lentol and Councilman Levin have attempted some interventions over the past two weeks to expedite the restoration of cooking gas at 85 Taylor Street where the gas has been shut off since March 19. So far, the management has said that it will take three to six months to restore.

“I stressed to the management my bitter disappointment that the gas has remained closed for the entire building,” says Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, “affecting hundreds of people, many of whom have not been able to make adequate preparations for the Passover holiday. We are outraged that the gas for the entire building was closed unnecessarily and that the residents were told it would take so long to restore.

“We thank Councilman Levin and Assemblyman Lentol for working with us to insist that the New York Housing Authority explain what happened and that they expedite the process. We are disappointed that so far we haven’t received any positive responses, but we are continuing to intervene and hope that more information will become available. At the same time, we are asking for the  NYCHA to provide more practical and imperative means to cook other than the small electric burners they provided. We will, with G-d’s help, continue to keep the residents informed about any progress as the news becomes available.” 

Pesach Distribution by Chevra Sva Rutzon of the UJO to Take Place the Sunday Before Passover - April 14

Those who want to benefit from the distribution need to submit a form on Sunday, April 7 at UJO to receive cards to redeem at the UJO distribution. 

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s Friday, April 5, 2019 edition

Distribution arranged in partnership with the chesed organization Met Council

Brooklyn, NY –During the final days before the Passover holidays, community activists, along with the Chevrah Sva Rutzon of the UJO, have been busy with preparations for the huge pre-Pesach distribution. The food distribution will assist a large number of local families with procuring holiday staples. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of basic food items will be distributed to allow local vulnerable and insecure residents to celebrate the upcoming Passover holiday to the fullest.

Those who want to participate in the distribution will present the cards which they received on Sunday, April 7 to collect food items during the distribution on Sunday, April 14.

The huge holiday food distribution is made possible thanks to the devoted assistance of the Met Council chesed organization. Met Council assists tens of thousands of needy Jewish families throughout New York and works closely with the UJO for the benefit of Williamsburg’s families as well. The UJO thanks the Met Council on behalf of the people of Williamsburg for the major food assistance provided to the community. Special thanks go to David Greenfield, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Met Council, for working with his whole heart and soul in expanding the selection of products provided and for bringing the maximum assistance to the needy to give them the happiest holiday possible. 

Health Commissioner Discusses Ways to Stop Measles Outbreak in Williamsburg at Meeting With Yeshivas Arranged by the UJO

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s March 29, 2019 edition

During the last week, there were an additional 31 new cases of measles reported bringing the total number of measles cases in Williamsburg to 461 since the beginning of the outbreak. Leading Williamsburg doctors stress the importance of everyone receiving vaccinations. Yeshivas are included in the repeated strict inspections to ensure all students who have not received MMR vaccination are excluded from school.

Brooklyn, NY –Due to the ongoing seriousness of the measles outbreaks in Williamsburg that has worsened throughout the last couple of weeks, NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot came to Williamsburg to hold a meeting with yeshivas. The meeting was arranged by UJO to discuss the outbreak and importance of taking strong steps to stop the continued outbreak of measles within the community.

Attended by fifty representatives of local yeshivas as well as Dr. Robert Krausz, Chief Medical of ODA; together with  Dr. Peter Ruzorsky - Medical Health Center the meeting also included leading members of Chevra Hatzoloh. Dr. Howard A. Zucker, Commissioner of Health; Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, NYC Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Disease Control; and other leading department officials attended as well. Pinny Ringel, a high ranking member of the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit, participated too rounding off the representation of the many who are working tirelessly to bring the infection to an end.   

Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, stressed the importance of providing the necessary information to residents to bring home a clear understanding of the importance of getting immunizations and the absurdity of the information being spread by those against immunizations. Pamphlets on the subject are going to be distributed to the public in the upcoming days.

Rabbi Niederman also reiterated the need for parents not to take the outbreak lightly. Everyone should make sure their children receive immunizations. Those who choose not to vaccinate should make sure to keep their children at home to stop the spread of the infection to end the state of emergency as soon as possible. V'nishmartem Meod L'nafshoseichem!

UJO Addresses Federal, State and City Officials to Assure Full Participation of the Jewish Community in 2020 Census in the Upcoming Year

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

At the meeting hosted by the JCRC with tens of representatives of Jewish communities, discussion revolved around how critically important it is for full participation in next year’s Census to take place within the Orthodox communities so that all receive necessary services to be appropriately represented in government.

Brooklyn, NY – Last week the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn participated and addressed the conference with Federal, State and City officials present. The meeting took place at the Jewish Community Relations Council and focused on how to assure maximum participation in the Census 2020 that will officially take place in April 2020.

Unfortunately, after the 2010 Census, it was clear that the Orthodox community, especially those in Boro Park were extremely underrepresented. It is estimated that this undercount of  Orthodox members of the community totaled tens of thousands lost to the Census. The absence of large numbers was so apparent, that immediately after the count, Mayor Blumberg held a press conference where he pointed out that the results of the 2010 Census did not reflect the growth of the Orthodox community.

As a result, the Orthodox community suffered by receiving a lesser representation in government than it deserved. This is because each district is drawn according to the number of people residing in it, and since Orthodox numbers received a lower count, it made other districts larger, diluting the Orthodox voice and representation. This undercount also created a situation where Orthodox communities were entitled to fewer services and less funding due to the perceived smaller population. Next year’s goal is to prevent a recurrence of this underrepresentation. This was the incentive for the JCRC to call the meeting to organize the Jewish community before the 2020 Census to ensure that everyone participates in being counted in the 2020 Census.

The meeting was opened by Rabbi Michael S. Miller, Executive Vice President and CEO of the JCRC and Associate Director, Mr. David Pollack. Attendees were also addressed by Mr. Jeff Baily, Regional Director of the Census Bureau;  Karim Camara, Executive Director and Deputy Commissioner for Governor’s Office for State-Based Communities;  Ms. Julie Menin, Director of NYC Census; and Mr. Michael Snow, the Jewish Liaison to Governor Cuomo.  Mr. Michael Nussbaum of JCRC chaired the meeting and Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, spoke sharing recommendations on how to assure communities participate in the upcoming Census.

Also among participants present was Rabbi Avi Greenstein, CEO of BPJCC; Rabbi Yeruchim Silber,  Director of Agudath Israel; and Rabbi Hersch Horowitz, Executive Director of Monsey’s Community Outreach Center.

“I thank the JCRC,” Rabbi Niederman says, “for their work in assuring maximum participation in the Census which is very important for the welfare of the community. It is still a year ahead, but the Census has an effect for the upcoming ten years, and we need to make sure that we don’t fail again. We express our strong appreciation to Mr. Baily of the Census Bureau, Mr. Kamara and Mr. Snow from the State, and Ms. Menin from the City Census Bureau for their commitment towards reaching out to Jewish communities to assure maximum Jewish participation in this endeavor. It is  important to realize that an accurate count is critical for the welfare of the Jewish community for years to come.”