Statement by Rabbi David Niederman,

President of the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn,

On Reports of Harassment and Attacks on Asian Natives Due to the Coronavirus Outbreak

We are saddened to hear about the harassment of people from Asian descent in conjunction with the coronavirus centered in Asia, and we are horrified to see a clip of a brutal attack on an Asian-Americans in the subway. 

The Hasidic community in Williamsburg and beyond experienced similar attacks during a measles outbreak. As such, we know first hand how wrong, harmful and hurtful it is to stereotype a community based on a health emergency. This is a manifestation of hate based on someone's appearance and rooted in ignorance about disease causes and control. We should all stand united in fighting the real disease of hate, and stand guard against stereotyping communities.

Governor Cuomo Announces New Initiative to Fight Hate Crimes to be Included in the Upcoming Budget

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January 24, 2020 edition

The new initiative includes a proposal to enact a Domestic Terror Act as announced during the Governor’s visit on January 1 to Williamsburg. 

Brooklyn, NY –Governor Cuomo announced his budget proposal for the coming year, which is to be passed in April. The Governor also announced several proposals to better fight hate crimes, including $20 million for a new round of grants for security funding as well as $25 million for the same in matching funds to protect institutions, schools, and community centers. Also included is $2 million earmarked for the Hate Crimes Task Force, which was established in 2018. The additional funding will help bolster the Hate Crimes Task Force activities so as to allow it to better monitor the threat of hate and violence, including that brought out through social media. 

Additionally, the Governor is working towards having the legislature enact the Domestic Act of Terror Act to turn a hate crime into a felony. This means that the punishment of someone convicted of a hate crime can be life in prison without parole. 

During his visit, the mayor also discussed his proposed legislation regarding domestic terrorists saying that terrorists shouldn’t have to arrive by airplane only to have to face these kinds of penalties. This type of punishment should also apply to domestic terrorists as well. 

“I thank Governor Cuomo for taking decisive action to stop the rise in hate crimes, which has already, unfortunately, claimed lives,” says Rabbi David Niederman, UJO executive director and president.

Nearly 50 Mosdos Representatives Participated in Security Grant Seminar Arranged by UJO and Assemblyman Lentol

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January 24, 2020 edition

UJO expresses thanks to Pupa for providing the space for this important and enlightening meeting, which was of great benefit to the community. Attendees heard informative presentations on how to successfully apply for the SCAHC Grants. Presenters included JCRC-NY representative, State Homeland Security Director, and a representative of the governor’s office. A program to help institutions get loans to enable them to cover the initial costs of the security equipment until the funding can be reimbursed was also presented by the Hebrew Free Loan Society. 

Brooklyn, NY –Around fifty yeshiva representatives participated last week, Thursday, January 16, in the informative seminar on how to apply for the newest security grants made available to religious institutions. The workshop was headed by the UJO together with Assemblyman Joe Lentol and took place at the main office of Pupa Yeshiva of Williamsburg. For close to two hours, participants received valuable insights on the process of how to successfully apply for the state security grant, which yeshivas are eligible for so as to protect their institutions from hate crimes. 

Governor Cuomo recently announced the release of $25 million in security funding for yeshivas, camps, museums, and community centers as well as an additional $25 million in matching funds also for security of the same. 

“I would like to express a heartfelt thank you for arranging this seminar to Assemblyman Lentol, who has served his constituents with exemplary devotion for decades,” says Rabbi David Niederman, UJO executive director and president. “He is especially devoted to fighting to protect our children and their yeshivas. I would also like to thank Mr. David Pollack from JCRC-NY for arranging this beneficial program and Mr. Michael Snow for his assistance in bringing these very important presentations to Williamsburg and for participating and always being here for the community. A special thank you is due as well to Mrs. Shelley Wahrlich, Director of Homeland Security Grants, and her staff for coming and providing important information. Thank you as well to Mr. Carson from Grants Gateway and Mr. Daren Scott from the Hebrew Free Loan Society for their presentations.”

US Jewish War Hero Who Helped a Group of Hungarian Jewish Survivors Following WWII Dies at the Age of 95

 Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January  24, 2020 edition

Four years ago, U.S. Pilot, Mr. Alan Golub, had a reunion in Pesach Tikvah in  Williamsburg with a number of the women he took heroic measures to help by providing them with food and clothing following the Holocaust.



A heroic Jewish American pilot has died at the age of 95. Mr. Alan Golub jeopardized his financial well-being while in a foreign county following World War II to help a group of young, frum Hungarian Jewish refugees at Eschwege Displaced Person’s Camp, a former German air force base in the Frankfurt district of the American-occupied zone. 

Four years ago, Pesach Tikvah arranged for the emotional reunion of Mr. Golub with a number of the women he had helped when they were young girls in Eschwege. Their extended families were on hand as well to thank Mr. Golub for his generous actions.

“The reunion in Williamsburg was really the highlight of Alan’s life,” a close family member told the UJO. “His feeling of happiness with being reunited with these women was something special. A big thank you is due to UJO for playing a role in bringing this story to light even though Alan never sought recognition for what he had done.”

Those who have now heard the story will always remember his great and heroic deeds.

Tehei Nishmasa Tzerura BeTzror HaChaim!

Photo: Rabbi David Niederman with representatives from Pesach Tikvah

Link to UJO article written in 2015 about the heartwarming reunion Mr. Golub had with the survivors he had helped in WWII https://ujocolumn.blogspot.com/search?q=Golub

A publication for Holocaust survivors with an article about Mr. Golub and his heroic efforts

http://unitedjewish.org/assets/pdf/holocaust-survior-newsletter-1.pdf

NY Times article about the 2015 reunion

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/nyregion/a-pilot-and-holocaust-survivors-bound-by-the-fabric-of-war-are-reunited-in-brooklyn.html

UJO Holds Way to Succeed Event to Assist Those Looking to Take Steps Towards a Successful Career

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January 24, 2020 edition


The event will take place on Thursday evening, January 23, in the Pardes Faiga Hall.

Renowned experts and speakers in the business and job finding field will provide valuable information for those looking to grow a business or find a job. Booths designated to job openings and for acquiring business loans will be available on-site to attendees.  


Williamsburg will be hosting the Way to Succeed job initiative event on Thursday evening, January 23. Participants will hear from renowned job and business experts who will give informative directions to assist attendees who are seeking a job, trying to find a better position,   or looking to start their own business.   

The UJO arranged the evening to serve as a major opportunity for those looking for new job opportunities after many job seekers expressed an interest in such a forum. The seminar will help them acquire the necessary information regarding the best way to go about looking for the right job or what one needs to know before starting one’s own business, among other illuminating pieces of information.  

UJO has held workforce development initiatives for more than twenty years, helping countless individuals to find and obtain new job opportunities successfully.

New York Police Department Chief of Patrol Meets with UJO, Shomrim and Community Leaders in Williamsburg

The Chief of Patrol assured attendees that police will remain on high alert throughout Williamsburg to protect against anti-Semitic attacks.

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January 17, 2020 edition

Brooklyn, NY – On Monday, January 13, the Chief of Patrol of the New York Police Department came down to Williamsburg for a meeting with UJO, Shomrim, and a number of neighborhood community leaders. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing fight against anti-Semitism and security in the neighborhood. Chief of Brooklyn North Chief, Jeffrey Maddrey, and Chief Fausto Pichardo, who recently started in his new post as Assistant Chief and executive officer of the Patrol Services Bureau, wanted to meet with local community leaders. They came together with Pinny Ringel, community liaison from the Mayor’s office.

Rabbi David Niederman, UJO executive director and president, welcomed the police chief and thanked him for the increased security. Rabbi Niederman asked specifically that the police man a dedicated police booth on Shabbos so residents can go over to report incidents and suspicious activity. 

The Williamsburg community is suffering from a spike in anti-Semitic attacks. Often, hate crimes go unreported. Residents should make sure to report any incidents without delay. For instance, there was an incident that took place on Shabbos, January 11, where a stone was thrown into a Jewish owned home went unreported until after Shabbos. Unfortunately, at that late time, the police were no longer able to investigate and follow through on the report.

Anyone who suffers harassment or an attack must report it by calling 911. Victims can also call Shomrim at (718) 237-0202 or the UJO at (718) 643-9700 both organizations work closely with the police to help make sure the reports are treated with the seriousness deserved.

UJO Held a Security Workshop to Assist Religious Institutions in Applications for the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January 17, 2020 edition

Brooklyn, NY –The UJO held a seminar on Thursday, January 16, for religious institutions such as yeshivas, camps​,​ and community centers to apply for the newly released Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant. In order to assist these institutions in the complicated application procedure, UJO and JCRC held the workshop at the Puppa offices together with a representative from the governor's office.

The newly released grant announced by the governor will allow religious institutions to enhance their security through measures such as improved doors, exit controls alarms, cameras improved exterior lighting, gates and fences, and security training along with other allowable measures.

Arranged through a joint effort of UJO and Assemblyman Joe Lentol, the seminar included presentations and step-by-step directions. Representatives were on hand to provide information for religious institutions on how to apply for the state grant to protect their building’s occupants from hate crimes.