Statement by Rabbi David Niederman and the Gotlieb Family on the Tragic Passing of FDNY Lt. Gordon Ambelas

Statement by Rabbi David Niederman and the Gottlieb Family on the Tragic Passing of FDNY Lt. Gordon Ambelas

On June 26^th, Lt. Gordon Ambelas and his company – together with two other fire companies - were honored by Commissioner Nigro, Rabbi Niederman, and the Gottlieb family for saving the life of their son Mendy from a role up gate. (For more, visit here). Less than 10 days later, the community was shocked to learn that he passed away while rescuing another precious life in Williamsburg. The following are the statements by Rabbi David Niederman and the Gottlieb family.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lt. Gordon Ambelas while saving yet another life, less than 10 days after we were honoring him for saving the life of Mendy Gottlieb. We express our deepest condolences to the family and we keep his two young daughters in our prayers. We also want to share our condolences with the FDNY as a whole, and specifically Ladder 119, and the Hooper St. station-house. Lt. Ambelas’ memory will live on in Mendy and the many others he saved, and of course in the precious family he’s leaving behind,” said Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director of the UJO of Williamsburg.

“This tragic story shows the dangers the lieutenant and all FDNY members put themselves in, willingly and knowingly, to save others. They are really the bravest,” Rabbi Niederman concluded.

Statement by the Gottlieb Family: “We were shocked and devastated to hear about the tragic death of Lt. Ambelas, the savior of our child Mendy. He literally sacrificed his life for others. I hope that his family finds solace in the so many lives that are living on because of him. May his family have no more sorrow.”

Right: Assemblywoman Maritza Davilla, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, Lt. Ambelas (with plaque), Mendy, Rabbi David Niederman (second to left), and father Abraham Gottlieb (left) 

June 27, 2014, Column (2): Councilman Chaim Deutsch on the Priority 5 Achievement

(Item appeared in shaded box on page 18)

Last weeks column featured a special conversation with Councilman Chaim Deutsch on the successful campaign to ensure and expand the Priority 5 Child Care vouchers program, in which he played a leading role. 

"Chaim Deutsch emerged as an influential Councilman who is the leading advocate for private schools and Mosdos," the article states.

"I had a meeting with the Mayor, and had a meeting with the Speaker, where this (Priority 5 Child Care) was addressed," Councilman Deutsch said. "I sent a letter to the Mayor together with a number of Council Member."

"We worked intensively to ensure that Priority 5 vouchers are in the budget, and we succeeded, Burech Hashem (thanks Go-d)," Chaim says. "I'm happy that we succeeded, and this is thanks to the intensives work with my colleagues in City Council that brought upon this achievement."

"It is amazing how much he (Councilman Deutsch) already achieved during his short time in City Council," Rabbi Niederman said.  

UJO Column, June 27, 2014 by United Jewish Column

June 27, 2014, Column (1): City Budget Ensures all Existing Priority 5 Child Care Vouches and adds Ten MIllion Dollars for New Vouchers

Following Intensive Efforts by Councilman Levin, Chair of the General Welfare Committee

UJO Thanks:

Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Viverito for Expanding Assistance that Thousands of Families Rely On; 

Councilman Levin for Leading the Campaign for these Children and Families;

The Coalition of Council Members Brad Lander, David Greenfield, Chaim Deutsch - Chair of the Non-Public School Committee, Mark Levine - Chair of the Jewish Caucus, and Mark Treyger; Special Thanks for Mayor's Aides Jon Paul Lupo and Avi Fink

(This Item appeared on top of page 18)

Williamsburg - Parents and administrators greeted with happiness the news that the city's final budget - unveiled the past Thursday night by Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito - provides funding for all existing Priority 5 Vouchers and additional ten million dollars for new vouchers. It follows intensive interventions by the dedicated Williamsburg Councilman Steve Levin, Chair of the important General Welfare Committee that oversees the program, and a group of Councilmen representing the interests of the community. 

The article goes on to detail a series of talks and other measures that Councilman Levin spearheaded to ensure that this vital Child Care program is fully funded and is expanded to additional families waiting for these services. Even before the final budget was released, Councilman Levin was able to ensure that this program will be full funded, unlike the Bloomberg years when they were on the chopping table annually.

Levin was joined in his efforts by his colleagues: Brad Lander, of the Council leadership; David Greenfield, representing Borough Park; Chaim Deutsch, Chair of the non-Public School Committee who already achieved tremendous results for Mosdos and parents; Mark Levine, Chair of the Jewish Caucus; Mark Treyger and others.

“I am elated that New York City’s budget will restore $10 million for low-income child care vouchers. Thousands of children and families in New York City depend on these vouchers and today I am proud that we are making them a priority in our budget," Councilman Levin said in a statement.

"Throughout the budget negotiations I made the restorations of low-income vouchers my top priority. Not only will these vouchers help individual families, but they will help our communities as a whole. I want to express my gratitude to Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito, my colleagues on the Council, and advocates in the community who stood strong in advocating for low-income vouchers,” Councilman Levin concluded his statement.

Speaking on behalf of thousands of parents, Rabbi David Niederman Said: " We express our thanks to Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Mark-Viverito. It's a refreshing change that the City budget ensures that the need and priorities of all communities are ensured, instead of cutting programs that we depend more on them due to the limited child care opportunities that we have. We are very grateful to the Mayor and Speaker for taking our needs into consideration."

"We want to send a special thank you to our dedicated Councilman Steve Levin. He spent tens of hours to talk to us, Yeshivos and Askunim (community activists) to ensure that the Priority 5 program continues to be funded and it is expanded to benefit additional families. He spent even more hours in talks with the administration and to build a strong coalition, and to work with the Speaker's office, leading to the tremendous achievement," Rabbi Niederman added. 

"We also want to deeply thank Council-members Brad Lander, David Greenfield, Chaim Deutsch - Chair of the non-Public School Committee representing the interests of Yeshivos and all private schools and parents, Mark Levine - Chair of the Jewish Caucus, Mark Treyger and others." 

"I want to give a special thanks to the Mayor's aides Avi Fink, Director for Intergovernmental Affairs, and Jon Paul Lupo, Director for Legislative Affairs, for delving into the. They ensured that the assistance is expanded to programs that will benefit our community among others," Rabbi Niederman concluded. 

UJO Column, June 27, 2014

Gottlieb Family and FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro Honors FDNY Members for Rescuing Mendy from Roll-up Gate

Arranged by the UJO of Williamsburg; Attended and Addressed by Elected Officials and Hatzalah

Williamsburg – A month and a half after he was strangled in a garage roll-up gate, 7 year old Mendy Gottlieb and his parents stood with the FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro in that garage to thank members of Engine 211, Ladder 119, and Rescue Company 2, for freeing him from the gate and for saving his life. The event was arranged by the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn to thank these brave members for their miraculous work.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro presenting the plaques with Rabbi David Niederman, the father and Mendy 

“I don’t want to think what it would be like if not for you,” the father, Abraham Gottlieb said in a moving voice. “Thanks to you, Mendy thrives and gives us joy, and we will always remember this.”

“It’s a great honor to represent the Department here today,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. “Our members don’t do their job for the recognition. Mendy’s life is reward enough.” The Commissioner presented a plaque – together with the father and Mendy - to each of the companies and the 16 members involved in the rescue effort. Commissioner Nigro was also accompanied by the Chief of Department, Edward Kilduff, Chief of Operations, James Esposito, and Executive Officer Captain Elizabeth Cascio.

“For fifteen minutes we were all waiting in agony, and offering prayers, hoping for a miracle to happen that Mendy would survive,” Rabbi David Niederman, President of the UJO, described this agonizing event. “At the conclusion of that endless quarter of an hour, G-d answered our prayers and New York City’s bravest, were the messengers and savior.” Rabbi Niederman also thanked the “dedicated Paramedics and EMTs from the Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance Corp, who were the first on the scene and drove up under the gate, holding Mendy up, until the Fire Department arrived and freed him.”

“Unfortunately we know, there is not always a happy ending let us now remember and mourn Yakim McDaniels, another Brooklyn boy who tragically died after a similar incident in 2012. We pray for his soul and family, and may they experience no more sorrow,” Rabbi Niederman added.

The Commissioner and Rabbi Niederman especially thanked Borough Commander Chief James Leonard for the heroic response. “I want to correct you, I’m not the hero here, they (the honored firefighters) are the heroes,” the Commissioner told, after being titled by Rabbi Niederman as a “true New York Hero.”

“One of the best jobs I have being an Assemblyman is honoring heroes! More often than not – those heroes come from the same place -- our NYC Fire Department. The Department is filled with ordinary New Yorkers who have dedicated their lives to become heroes for other people. These fine men and women go into this job just to rescue people and to save personal property from destruction, MOST times putting their own lives in grave danger. It’s really remarkable. It is why New Yorkers absolutely love their fire fighters!,” said Assemblyman Joe Lentol, who attended the event.

Lentol Continued, “In this case, as we know too well, boys will be boys. Mendy Gottlieb and his friends meant no harm in their play – but they certainly will never do that again – because it ended up being extremely dangerous; even life threatening. Luckily in New York City we have the finest men and women who rush in; handle these frightening situations in ways that make it look really easy – even though it’s not -- and they saved the life of a young boy. Wonderful!”

"Today we celebrate the heroism of the members of Engine 211, Ladder 119 and Rescue Company 2 and the dedication of all of our heroes in the FDNY. We celebrate the community commitment of Rabbi David Neiderman and the UJO. Most importantly we celebrate the blessing that Mendy Gottlieb who is here with us today," said Assemblywoman Maritza Davilla in her remarks.

Rabbi Yidel Deutsch of Hatzolah said that the joint response that saved Mendy was an example of the “collaboration and partnership between Hatzalah and the FDNY. “All of us in Hatzolah have tremendous admiration of the job and sacrifices that your firefighters do every single day around the city on behalf of all New Yorkers. Thank you,” he concluded.

"I applaud the actions of Engine 211, Ladder 119, and Rescue Company 2 under the leadership of Commissioner Daniel Nigro for saving the life of Mendy Gottlieb," said Senator Daniel Squadron, who was represented at the event. "This is just another example of the vital services that the men and women of the FDNY provide everyday to New Yorkers in need."

“I am incredibly grateful for the FDNY’s quick response that saved Mendy’s life. The FDNY is helping people in distress each and every day and this is yet another example of the important work they do for New York City,” said Councilman Stephen Levin, who was represented at the event. “Thank you to Commissioner Daniel Nigro, the firefighters who saved Mendy’s life, and to Hatzalah for their quick response.”

FDNY's coverage: http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/events/2014/062614b.shtml

Other Coverage:

​

http://7online.com/news/williamsburg-family-thanks-rescuers-who-saved-son/143169/

http://brooklyn.news12.com/news/family-thanks-fdny-for-7-year-old-s-rescue-in-williamsburg-1.8582995

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/243423/williamsburg-gotlieb-family-fdny-commissioner-daniel-nigro-honors-fdny-members-for-rescuing-mendy-from-roll-up-gate.html

http://www.vosizneias.com/169187/2014/06/26/brooklyn-ny-fdny-members-honored-by-parents-of-rescued-williamsburg-jewish-boy-video/

​http://jpupdates.com/2014/06/27/gottlieb-family-community-honors-fdny-heroes-rescue-child-trapped-roll-gate-photos/​

  

http://hamodia.com/2014/06/26/boy-saved-roll-gate-thanks-rescuers/

Background :
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/05/08/cbs-2-boy-gets-stuck-in-roll-down-gate-in-brooklyn-ends-up-hanging-in-air/

http://abclocal.go.com/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=9532189

http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/news/208342/roll-up-gate-nearly-crushes-brooklyn-child

June 20, 2014 Column (3): Councilman Levin and Rabbi Niederman Discuss Incidents in the Wallabout-Throop Area With Deputy Inspector of the 90th Precinct

Two Arrested Last week in One of the Incidents

Inspector DiPaolo Speaks to Der Yid about the Incidents and How to Combat Them; Appeals for Assistance to Prevent these Crimes; Encourages Participation in the Bike and Scooter Registration by Police and Shomrim on Friday

The article is reporting on discussions that Councilman Levin and Rabbi Niderman had with the C.O. of the 90th precinct, Deputy Inspector Mark DiPaolo, following more incidents of bike robberies and attacks on children in the Wallabout-Throop area.

As decided at the meeting, the Inspector sat down with Der Yid to discuss these incidents, and how the community can assist in rooting them out. D.I. DiPaolo also shared important tips how to prevent crimes during the summer months, when many families are in the Catskills.

This item states on p.36, and the interview is in the shaded box on that page, and continued on p.100

Dr Yid, UJO Column, June 20, 2014 by United Jewish Column

June 20, 2014 Column (2): Councilman Levin Continues Campaign to Increase Priority 5 Child Care Vouchers

Ensures that Existing Vouchers Won't be Cut

This is the second item starting on p.34

Entering the final days of the budget negotiations (this article was published a day before the budget agreement was announced by Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito), Councilman Steve Levin continues the intensive campaign to restore Priority 5 child care vouchers cut by the Bloomberg administration. It follows assurance that the Councilman received from the administration that all existing priority 5 vouchers will be fully funded in the upcoming budget.

Contrary to past years, when the question was how deep the child care cuts will or won't be, the talks during this year are how much will be restored to the program to reverse cuts from prior years. 

Councilman Levin, who is chairing the General Welfare Committee with oversight over the ACS that is providing the child care voucher - made priority 5 vouchers as a top priority during this year's budget process. Reacting to fears that the priority 5 program may be totally eliminated, Councilman Levin wrote to Yeshiva leaders and others that: "UNLIKE IN PREVIOUS YEARS, PRIORITY 5 VOUCHERS WILL NOT BE CUT AT ALL FROM THE LEVELS THEY ARE AT CURRENTLY."

In his email, the Councilman continued to detail ongoing negotiations to ensure that the new budget will include a meaningful restoration to enable more families to benefit from these vouchers. "Right now, we are working very closely with the DeBlasio administration, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and a large coalition of City Council-members to make this restoration a reality, and the next few days are crucial," the Councilman wrote. 

Among others dealing with the issue, are: Councilman David Greenfield, who hosted a meeting with Yeshiva leaders to report about the campaign to restore the vouchers in which Councilman Levin is having a leading role; Councilman Chaim Deutsch - Chair of the non-Public School Committee that is assisting Yeshivos and other private schools - who is very actively participating in the talks and intervenes on the issue, together with Councilman Brad Lander and Mark Treyger.

Dr Yid, UJO Column, June 20, 2014 by United Jewish Column

June 20, 2014 Column (1): State Legislature Passes New 'Expedited Missing Persons Act'

Law Introduced by Assemblyman Joe Lentol and State Senator Daniel Squadron of Williamsburg; On the Initiative of the UJO Following the Shocking Murder of the Philanthropic Man Menachem Stark OBM; State Senator Simcha Felder Played Major Role in Passing the Bill

Would Assist in Terrible Tragedies, Go-d Forbid, to Reduce Anguish, Expedite the Investigation, and to Ensure the Deceased Body is Respected.

The article commends the Assemblyman Lentol and State Senator for introducing the Expedited Missing Persons Act, after the UJO brought the issue to their attention (for more on the law, please click here), and lauds Senator Felder for his key role in passing it in the Senate. It also thanks public officials who joined the act's sponsors when they announced the bill at a press conference at the UJO: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Assemblywoman Maritza Davilla, a co-sponsor, and Councilman Stephen Levin.

It thanks the Assembly co-sponsors: Buchwald, Davila, Goldfeder, Hevesi, Hikind, Jacobs, Rozic and Simanowitz; and the Senate co-sponsors DILAN, FELDER, LATIMER, MONTGOMERY, PARKER, PERKINS, SAVINO, STAVISKY

Currently, when a deceased body is discovered, it is reported to the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCSJ), where it is entered into a computer database. Police departments searching for a missing person are also required to share details of the wanted persons. If the computer system identifies a possible match, the police department searching for that person is notified about it.

It frequently takes hours between when a search begins until when the information is entered into the system. Likewise, hours may pass between when a body is found until when it enters the database. Furthermore, the system only searches for matches once in 24 hours. It may easily pass over a day before the information can me matched.

The new act - that is now heading to Governor Cuomo's desk - will "require DCJS to promptly make available personal descriptions and other identifying data of a found body to all law enforcement agencies in the state, and upon request, to agencies outside of the state."

"Excruciating hours passed between when Menachem Stark's body was located, until the authorities realized that the unidentified body in Nassau County was Mr. Stark. The family endured needless pain and anguish between when the body was found until they were notified it was Menachem. We hope that no one else experiences anything similar," said Rabbi Niederman. “This bill was introduced to ensure that in tragic events, the suffering is not increased unnecessarily. Additionally, it will ensure that the body is handled respectfully, according to the family's wishes.”

“I want to thank Rabbi David Niederman for bringing this issue to my attention. The lapse in time between finding an unidentified deceased person and matching them with an identity is crucial to an investigation. The new Lentol-Squadron-Felder law will take direct aim at efficiently streamlining this process for both the DCJS and local police precincts. This has been a great effort between myself, Senator Squadron and Senator Felder to improve this important section of criminal law. Our partnership will continue as we work to ensure that the Governor signs this legislation and implements it as the state policy," Said Assemblyman Joe Lentol.

“When a tragedy occurs, prompt notification makes a difference for families and law enforcement," said Senator Daniel Squadron. "Today’s passage of our Expedited Missing Persons Act is an important step toward making the system work better so we can all have more confidence everything possible is being done to quickly connect with loved ones, and to move forward investigations. I'm pleased to have worked with the community and Rabbi Niederman and thank Assemblymember Lentol for his leadership."

The article also relays a quote by Senator Felder, that: "While we know that this is important to use for religious reasons, so that we could do a chesed shel emes (a favor for the deceased, who can't return the favor), it is, of course, something that would benefit anyone who has a missing loved one G-d forbid.”

“We are grateful to the lead sponsors, Assemblyman Lentol and Senator Squadron, and for Senator Felder for getting the bill passed today. We thank all statewide and local elected officials voting and supporting, and especially those who joined us, at the UJO, many months ago when announcing the introduction of the bill," Rabbi Niederman concluded.

May hashem help that this law should never have to be used again, it concludes.

Dr Yid, UJO Column, June 20, 2014