Williamsburg Jewish Community - Built on the Holocaust Ashes - Remembers U.S. Service-Members' Assistance During and After Holocaust

New York Times Covers Recent Reunion of Williamsburg Survivors with Service Member who Fed and Dressed them Immediately after the War

Williamsburg - Veterans Day - when we all reflect on the heroic, selfless service of our service-members to our country - has a special meaning to the Jewish community in Williamsburg, built on the ashes of the Holocaust by a small number of Holocaust survivors. The community remembers the key role that the US Military played ending the holocaust, ending the annihilation of the Jewish People in Europe, and the tremendous help and care that US Service Members extended to the survivors immediately after their liberation.

Two weeks ago, an emotional reunion took place in Williamsburg between survivors, many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a U.S. Pilot, Mr. Alan Golub, whom they thanked for providing them food and clothing after the holocaust. On his own initiative, Mr. Golub saved them from hunger and returned their dignity. The reunion was covered in Sunday's NY Times.

 Alan Golub and his P-51 Mustang fighter plane

The UJO’s President Rabbi David Niederman said: ”Lt. Golub is just one of our country’s incredible members of the military. He went unrecognized for 70 years, until he was reunited with the survivors thanks to the interest of a family member. There are many more service-members with similar stories that we don't even know. They didn't do it for fame, but to make the world a better place. As we mark Veteran’s Day, we recognize Lt. Golub’s and all his fellow WWII vets, many of whom are still with us, for their selfless service. We owe all U.S. veterans our deep gratitude and appreciation for enabling us to enjoy the freedoms we all hold so dear. We continue to pray for all service members in the line of duty to continue spread freedom successfully, and return home to their families safely and healthy."

The survivors with the dresses secured by Mr. Golub - in the photo presented to him as a token of appreciation

1)    The back of the photo with the survivors’ names, according to the numbers on the photos, and their thank you note presented at the time to Mr. Golub

Mr. Golub, surrounded by survivors he helped, and their families

L. to R. Dr. Iriving Shindler, Executive Director of Pesach Tikva, Mr. Alan Golub, Rabbi David Niederman, Chairman of the Board, and Dr. Zalmen Kotzen Director of Geriatric Services

 

Assemblyman Lentol and Community Board 1 Members Do Site Visit with Brooklyn Borough DOT Commissioner to Discuss Traffic Concerns at Wythe Avenue, Flushing Avenue Intersections.

Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D – North Brooklyn) met with Rabbi Abe Perlstein, First Vice Chair of Community Board 1, Simon Weiser, Co-Chair of the Community Board’s Transportation Committee, Gerry Esposito, the Community Board’s District Manager, and Brooklyn Borough Department of Transportation Commissioner Keith Bray last week for a site visit to review the traffic congestion and safety problems at the intersection of Wythe Avenue and Williamsburg Street West and at the Flushing Avenue exit on the eastbound side of the BQE.

“The problem is that you have traffic exiting the BQE and merging with traffic from Williamsburg Street West,” said Lentol.  “Half the people want to turn on Wythe Avenue and half want to go straight through, but the merge is what makes it difficult.  As for Flushing Avenue, the backup during peak hours is tremendous and a huge inconvenience for people who get stuck there.  We’re trying to find creative solutions to these problems.”

(left to right) Rabbi Abe Perlstein, Samuel Stern, Simon Weiser, DOT Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Keith Bray, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, and CB 1 District Manager Gerry Esposito

The community Board members agreed that it was a productive meeting.

“I'm thankful to Brooklyn CB1 Chair Dealice Fuller and Manager Gerry Esposito for arranging for the on-site visit.  A special thanks to Borough Commissioner Keith Bray for making the time for the visit, and thoroughly analyzing the problem and possible solutions,” said Rabbi Abraham Perlstein, First Vice Chair of Community Board.  “We were pleasantly surprised that on a quiet August Friday, Assemblyman Lentol was on call and hard at work, showing up to assisting in improving the traffic and safety in the area.”

“The bottleneck at the BQE Flushing Avenue exit is unbearable to the neighborhood, and it often backs up the BQE.  The Wythe Avenue exit also needs improvements.  I'm thankful to DOT Borough Commissioner Bray for taking his time to review the problems, and for working on improvement to mitigate the traffic nightmare on Flushing Avenue,” said Rabbi David Niederman, President of the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn.  “A special shout out to Assemblyman Joe Lentol, for his personal devotion to improve the traffic movement in the area, by securing funding for the South Williamsburg Transportation Study, working on trouble-blocks in the area, and for joining us now to review and seek solutions for the traffic issues at the BQE exits.  I'm also very thankful to the Community Board Chair Fuller, Manager Esposito, and the members who are working tirelessly on these issues.”

Source: Press Release by Assemblyman Lentol's office.

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