New State Senator Julia Salazar Visits the UJO

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s February 1, 2019 edition

Senator Salazar commends the breadth and volume of UJO services and expresses her willingness to work together with the UJO for the good of the community.

Brooklyn, NY –Two weeks ago the State Senator Julia Salazar visited the UJO of Williamsburg where she observed the many services provided at the busy social service hub. Senator Salazar met with the leaders of community and schools and community activists in the area.

Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, welcomed the state senator and congratulated her for her victory. Senator Salazar was also welcomed formally by an impressive showing of community school leaders and community activists. All in attendance expressed their interest in working together with the senator and expanding services for elderly and childcare assistance, for low-income people to get health insurance and tax shelters and for advocating for increasing voter participation.

Senator Salazar expressed her interest as well in working with the UJO for the good of the community. 

Close to 100 Home Owners Benefit from Assistance from Department of Finance and the UJO

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s February 1, 2019 edition

Session arranged together with NY City Councilman Stephen Levin, and the president of the Tax Commission - House and condo owners who believe their property taxes are too high should request a review and appeal

Brooklyn, NY –Williamsburg house and condo owners participated Monday night, January 28 in a seminar with the Department of Finance. Home/condo owners gathered to hear more information on how their taxes are assessed and how the homeowners can appeal their assessment. The session was a result of the UJO of Williamsburg's meeting with the Department of Finance while the UJO advocated on this issue. As a result, the Department of Finance volunteered at the meeting to make an event to help Williamsburg residents appeal their taxes.

Rabbi David Neiderman, UJO Executive Director and President, opened the session by explaining the issues and that the UJO is advocating for home and condo owners. In the meantime, it is recommended that the home and condo owners appeal their assessments if they believe they are too high under the current laws. This is an issue the people have to make sure that they appeal. If not, it will carry on year after year and causes taxes to rise. Advocates for this issue include former state Senator Daniel Squadron as well as his successor State Senator Brian Kavanagh, Councilman  Stephen Levin and  Assemblyman Joe Lentol. The UJO also noted the assistance received from Pinny Ringel in the mayor’s office. 

At the session, this Monday attendees listened to the presentation of how taxes are assessed and how they can be appealed. A presentation was given by the Department of Finance as well as by the Tax Commission. These are two separate departments which should both be utilized by homeowners for the appeal process as they represent two appeal options. One can request a review by the Department of Finance, and then there is an appeal process to take to the Tax Commission. Homeowners are encouraged to do both to preserve their rights. 

“I am very thankful to the Department of Finance,” said Rabbi Niederman, “and our devoted Councilman Stephen Levin and the City Council for providing this service. I also want to thank Councilman Levin for his continued intervention on the issue of homeowner taxes.”

Rabbi Niederman also expressed a special thanks to Mr.. Lincoln Restler from the Mayor’s office and Mrs. Jenny Berger for helping arrange the tax session and assuring that people get the maximum assistance to be able to best serve the community.

“It is fortunate to have such a devoted neighbor as  Mr. Restler working tirelessly with regards to these issues,” says Rabbi Niederman. “We are very thankful for him for his continued readiness to intervene when the community needs assistance.”

UJO Session with Department of Finance Upcoming Monday Offering Tax Assistance with Tax Assessments

Excerpt from Yiddish Article in Der Yid’s January 24, 2019 Edition

Opportunity to Erase Property and Property Taxes Questions and Issues

Starting 6 p.m. promptly – the evening will include information on how to review taxes and which abatements and exemptions property owners can be eligible to receive.

Brooklyn, NY – On Monday evening, January 28, the Department of Finance will come to the UJO of Williamsburg to deliver a Property Value Session.  During the session, the Department of Finance will explain how the property’s market and assessed value is calculated and how the property owners can request an appeal or review if they believe the amount they are being taxed is unjustified.

The session will begin with a half hour presentation at 6:00 p.m. followed by one-on-one overviews to help homeowners gain a deeper understanding of their tax bills and any violations. Representatives from the Department of Finance will be available to walk owners through the process if they decide to appeal the charges or have other specific questions.

The Property Value Session with the Department of Finance is a result of the UJO advocating on behalf of Williamsburg property owners who seem to be meeting with an unjustified, high tax rate for condos and other buildings. During a previous meeting the UJO held with the Department of Finance, the Department offered to come to Williamsburg to address property owners and to help them gain an understanding of how the tax on their property is assessed. The session will also assist property owners in how to go through the appeal process to try to get the situation corrected whenever possible.

The UJO thanks Councilman Stephen Levin, City Council, City Hall and the NYC Department of Finance for helping the UJO bring this service to the community. The session will take place at 32 Penn Street in Brooklyn.

For more information on the upcoming Property Value Session, email taxrsvp@unitedjewish.org or call (718) 642-9700, extension 353.

UJO to Host Homeowners Meeting with DOHMH and HPD on Risks of Lead Poisoning

 Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January 11, 2019 edition

Homeowners Meeting hosted by UJO in partnership with DOHMH and HPD to take place Tuesday evening, January 15. The meeting will focus on the risks of lead paint poisoning; and how building owners might be able to qualify for a grant to correct lead problems. The grant offers up  $20,000 for eligible apartments.

Brooklyn, NY – A Homeowners Meeting will take place on Tuesday evening, January 15. The information session will provide an opportunity for owners of older homes and apartment buildings to hear how they can qualify for the potentially valuable  HPD grant to prevent lead problems in old houses, which can be especially harmful to young children.

The session will take place at 7 p.m., in the conference room of the UJO, at 32 Penn Street. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss the grant with HPD  Health Department representatives who will provide important information about lead. A light, kosher, hot dinner will be served.

Building owners will hear from the Health Department as well as the HPD about rules relevant to houses containing lead. They will also hear about the Primary Prevention Program grant that is available to correct lead and other problems. Applicants can apply for thousands in grant funds for eligible units-depending on how much the lead improvements cost. In some situations, HPD has paid as much as $20,000 per qualified unit-to eliminate the lead hazards. The grant can also be applied towards a limited number of other repairs in the house that are important for health, such as removal of trip/fall hazards, removal of mold, etc. Health Department representatives will also take questions from attendees and provide information regarding pertinent issues.

The meeting will provide an excellent opportunity for homeowners to hear if and how they can qualify for the grant. Space is limited. Homeowners who plan to take part in this session should register by calling the UJO Lead Division at 718-643-9700, ext. 241, or RSVP at leadsafety@unitedjewish.org.

Department of Finance and UJO to Host Property Value Session

 Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January 11, 2019 edition

Arranged by the UJO and the Department of Finance, a Property Value Session will take place at the UJO as part of ongoing efforts to assist home and condo owners in reviewing their tax bills and reducing the exorbitant condo taxes in Williamsburg. 

Brooklyn, NY – On Monday, January 28, the Department of Finance will join UJO in delivering a Property Value Session. As property tax notices are expected in the mail at the beginning of each new year, the evening is being arranged to assist condo owners in understanding their property tax notices. Owners will be given information on how their assessment works and how it can be appealed if applicable.

​The session is being arranged as part of ongoing intervention efforts that have been made by the UJO together with State Senior Brian Kavanagh,  Council Member Steven Levin and Assemblyman Joe Lentol as well as other officials from the de Blasio administration and the Department of Finance. This is part of an ongoing effort to curb the excessively high property taxes being levied on so many Williamsburg condos.

Tax bills for average apartments have reached $10,000  and in some cases, taxes are as high as  $30,000 for average apartments after the expiration of the previous abatements.

The  Department of Finance in an initiative with NYC Council and Council Member Steven Levin have offered to come down and help people to understand their bills so they can try to appeal the unfair tax burden. The session will begin with a half hour presentation at  6:00 p.m. followed by one-on-one overviews to help homeowners gain a deeper understanding of their tax bills and any violations. Representatives from the Department of Finance will be available to walk owners through the process if they decide to appeal the charges.

To RSVP and arrange for a one-on-one session, email taxRSVP@unitedjewish.org. Homeowners should bring their Notice of Property Value (NOPV) to the session in order to receive assistance.

UJO Holds Meeting with NYC Health Department and Local Doctors to Address Large Number of Williamsburg Children with High Lead Levels in Blood

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 28, 2018 edition

  

NYC Health Department’s Healthy Homes department and local pediatricians thanked for attending a meeting at UJO focused on reducing lead poisoning incidents in Williamsburg.

Brooklyn, NY - Monday, December 17, the New York City Health Department's Healthy Homes department held a meeting at the UJO office with local pediatricians to discuss the large numbers of children in Williamsburg found to have high levels of lead in their blood and how to best deal with this critical issue.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Hecht, Dr. Appio, and N.P. from ODA, along with the ODA Managing Director, Reb Yomtov Malik, who is also a leader of the Hatzolah Organization, Dr. Moshe Ruzorsky of Bedford Medical, and Dr. Steve Goldstein of Rutledge Pediatrics and President of the American Academy of Pediatrics New York State Chapter 2.10

Dr. Jacqueline Ehrlich, Medical Director of the Health Department's division focused on lead poisoning, presented facts about lead poisoning, where the problems are coming from in New York City, and the extremely high rates in Williamsburg.

The UJO has been working with the Department of Health for several years already to alert the Williamsburg public about the harm of lead and to help prevent lead paint problems. Over a year ago, a Reuters investigation showed alarming numbers of children in the area who had high lead blood levels. This led to a stronger campaign, and UJO hired special staff prepared to address lead problems for parents with questions. The staff members also address and help correct issues landlords come across including helping with grant applications which can pay for renovation costs of eligible homes with high lead levels - as much as $20,000 per apartment.

The UJO expresses its appreciation for the Health Department for coming down to speak to the doctors and to the doctors who took time off from their busy schedules to discuss the important topic for the benefit of Williamsburg's children.

For help with any issues connected to lead, call the UJO Lead Safety division at 718.643.9700 Extension 241 or email leadsafety@unitedjewish.org.

Police Commanders at Meeting with UJO Announce Arrest of Alleged Attacker on Throop Avenue on Shabbos

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 7, 2018 edition

Williamsburg Shomrim thanked for obtaining footage that led to suspect’s arrest: hope for prosecution to fullest extent of the law to initiate the end of hate-wave in the area.

Brooklyn, NY - The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn thanked the NYPD Hate Crimes task force for their prompt and appropriate response leading to the arrest of the individual suspected of carrying out the unprovoked hate-crime attack against a 32-year-old Chassidic victim this past Friday night, November 30.

News of the arrest came on Tuesday, December 4 during a meeting at the UJO in Williamsburg which included NYPD’s 90th Precinct; the Commanding Officer Tim Skretch, as well as the; Hate Crime Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Mark C. Molinari; Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez; Council Member Steven Levin; The NYC Jewish Caucus Chair Councilman Chaim Deutsch; Representative of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Community Assistance Unit Pinny Ringel; Joseph Yanis, Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Maritza Davila; Howard Pollock, representing Speaker Corey Johnson; JCRC’s Associate Director David Pollock, Williamsburg Shomrim members and UJO members.

At the meeting, NYPD discussed not only the latest arrest but ways to stop the recent wave of hate-crimes presently rocking the neighborhood leaving community members increasingly concerned about going out, especially at night. Participants were upset to learn of two additional incidents which had happened the day before, on Monday, December 4, to children walking home from school. NYPD has mobilized additional units in the area, specifically at the Broadway Triangle where some of the most severe incidents have taken place. It is the community’s hope that sufficient resources are allocated and maintained throughout the community to deter others motivated by hate. Outreach efforts were discussed that would include the UJO, the NYPD, and the City of New York to promote peace and tolerance in all communities.

"The community is on edge, with all these incidents. The hate-wave has to stop. Fortunately, the NYPD and our elected officials are determined to join forces to do whatever is needed to stop it," says Rabbi David Niederman. "I am grateful to the NYPD for the recent arrest, and I am confident more arrests will follow. Hate has no place in this city, and sadly, we are seeing a spike in anti-Semitic attacks across the city. Young Chasidic kids shouldn't be afraid simply because of their Jewish faith of monstrous attacks when walking home.”

"I thank the elected officials: Congresswoman Velazquez, Councilmen Levin and Deutsch, as well as Assemblywoman Maritza Davilla and Pinny Ringel of the Mayor's office, for working so closely with us to combat hate," Rabbi Niederman concluded.