Search Results for “noach dear”

BDE: NY Supreme Court Judge Noach Dear Passes Away Of The Coronavirus

April 19, 2020 8:52 am 1 Comment

Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Noach Dear, z’l, passed away of the coronavirus on Sunday morning at the age of 67. Dear served as a member of the New York City Council from 1983-2001 and advocated for the issues of the mostly frum community he represented, including Midwood and much of Boro Park and Bensonhurst. He advanced many laws that assisted the frum communities in Brooklyn. In 2015, Dear was elected as the Brooklyn Supreme Court after serving as a judge for 20 years in the civil court system. Dear’s name was splashed on newspaper headlines in 2017 when he was subject to an anti-Semitic incident on the streets of Brooklyn. As YWN reported at the time, a man began screaming anti-Semitic expletives at him as he was walking near Maimonides Hospital early in the morning. Dear ignored the man, entered his car and called the police. BDE So sorry to hear of the passing of Noach Dear Z'l. A legendary public servant & representative who understood that his position should be used to help the most vulnerable & downtrodden. He was respected & admired. To watch him pray was an experience. He will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/ahL5AB4ML9 — Chaskel Bennett (@ChaskelBennett) April 19, 2020 I’m so sad and join all those in mourning the death of Noach dear. Who has been a judge and a in public office for years. I still remember seeing him praying in the vaskin minyan everyday. His religion was always first before his job. He will be missed may this horrible virus end pic.twitter.com/R49cp2CZxi — Sheya Landa (@LandaSheya) April 19, 2020

Boro Park: Man Yells Anti-Semitic Slurs At Judge Noach Dear

March 6, 2017 4:15 pm 5 Comments

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating an incident in Boro park, when a man hurled anti-Semitic remarks at NY Supreme Court Judge Noach Dear. Noach Dear, who is also a former NYC Councilman, was walking near Maimonides Hospital on Sunday morning at around 8:00AM when a man began yelling at him. Dear ignored the man as he kept screaming, and kept walking to his car. The man seemed upset that Dear wouldn’t respond and yelled “you [expletive removed] Jew, don’t you have a mouth?” Dear closed his car door but noticed the man taking photos of his licence plates. He drove away and called police. The man was described as white, with gray hair, about 5-foot-10 and wearing zig-zag black pants at the time. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident. (Charles Gross – YWN)

Hikind Congratulates Noach Dear on Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Nomination

September 21, 2015 10:45 pm 2 Comments

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) congratulated Noach Dear on his nomination to become Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, 2nd Judicial District. Dear, who was first elected to the bench as a judge in the Civil Court of Kings County in 2008, was appointed Acting Justice in the Supreme Court of Kings County in 2010. Tonight, Dear received the endorsement for his nomination in a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Brooklyn. “I am thrilled to congratulate Noach Dear on his nomination to Supreme Court Justice in Kings County. I have known Noach for decades and he is a long-time friend. He is a devoted public servant and a tireless community advocate, from his time as District Manager for Brooklyn Community Board #12 to his service in public office as a member of the New York City Council. For the past few years, Noach has been a highly respected judge in the lower court, gaining a well-deserved reputation for protecting consumer rights. The New York Times, in an editorial in 2012, hailed Noach’s courtroom as one that has helped restore due process to hundreds of consumers too poor or intimidated to seek justice.” “Noach Dear has distinguished himself with his no-nonsense approach. I was proud to endorse him when he first ran for judge and tonight as well. His nomination is a victory for our community and all New Yorkers. I extend a hearty mazal tov to Noach and his family and wish him continued success in enhancing our system of justice for all New Yorkers, especially the little guy.” (YWN Desk – NYC)

Judge Noach Dear Removed From Hearing Criminal Cases

July 23, 2012 8:56 am No Comments

A New York City judge has been removed from the bench over a ruling on how police determine if someone has been drinking in public, a court spokesman said. Judge Noach Dear raised eyebrows last month when he ruled police should have a suspect beverage scientifically tested for alcohol rather than relying on the judgement of police officers who generally make that decision by sniffing the container. Dear also concluded that enforcement of public drinking laws in New York was racially based. The New York Post said the administrators of the Brooklyn Criminal Court decided Dear, a former city councilman who was working only part time, should step aside. “The judge was, in fact, volunteering on the weekends because of a resource shortage, but at this point his services are no longer needed,” said courts spokesman David Bookstaver. The Post said open-container violations were a common policing tool in New York where violators often turned out to be wanted for other crimes. READ MORE: UPI

Judge Noach Dear: Sniff Test Does Not Prove Public Drinking

June 14, 2012 10:21 pm 5 Comments

The police in New York City wrote 124,498 summonses last year for drinking in public — far more than for any other violation. After having to adjudicate so many of these public drinking cases, a Brooklyn judge has decided he has had enough. The sniff test, judge, Noach Dear wrote, was not enough. Judge Dear made his intentions known in a written decision released on Thursday in a run-of-the-mill Criminal Court case: Julio Figueroa, 38, was cited for illegally drinking a cup of beer on a city sidewalk near his home in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn. It was not sufficient, the judge wrote, that a police officer had smelled the contents of Mr. Figueroa’s cup and detected beer. Nor was it enough that Mr. Figueroa had told the police officer that, yes, the liquid was indeed beer. In dismissing Mr. Figueroa’s case, Judge Dear wrote that the police should be required to adhere to a higher standard of certainty that the drink’s alcohol content exceeded 0.5 percent, the threshold under the city’s open-container law, before issuing a court summons. One way to do that, he suggested, would be for the New York Police Department to have a laboratory test conducted. Judge Dear made it clear that he hoped his interpretation of the city’s public drinking law would persuade the Police Department to reconsider its enforcement of the ordinance. In his experience, he wrote, the department singled out blacks and Hispanics when issuing public drinking summonses. “As hard as I try, I cannot recall ever arraigning a white defendant for such a violation,” wrote Judge Dear, a former city councilman who has handled mostly civil cases since his election to a judgeship in 2007. READ MORE: NY TIMES

Noach Dear Making Calls About Jumping Into State Senate Race

April 19, 2012 8:00 pm 10 Comments

Former City Councilman Noach Dear could be about to enter the State Senate race for a heavily Orthodox Jewish seat in Brooklyn. The news was first reported by Yossi Gestetner, who tweeted Mr. Dear “is calling around friends telling them he is 90% ready” to announce his candidacy. Sources subsequently confirmed to The Politicker that Mr. Dear is indeed making calls about the run. Mr. Dear’s signals come on the heels of another candidate, former Councilman Simcha Felder, signaling his intentions to run for the seat, setting up a potential conflict with Mr. Dear’s successor in the City Council. City & State‘s sources indicated Mr. Felder would caucus with the Democrats in the State Senate … unless his vote was crucial for the Republicans to hang onto the majority, which would be a big caveat indeed. READ MORE: POLITICKER

Judge Noach Dear: Dispensing Rapid-Fire Justice From The Bench

April 7, 2011 10:02 pm 2 Comments

Brooklyn Civil Court is a crowded place, but one judge handles the litigation backlog by forging compromise between debtors and banks. At a recent Tuesday morning calendar call, acting Kings County Supreme Court Justice Noach Dear kicked court into session just after 9:30 a.m. with an audience of about 100 self-represented debtors. He began with a no-nonsense, informational speech to the litigants and then got down to dispensing rapid-fire justice. “Here, I see the big picture,” Judge Dear said of his courtroom. He said he’s helped make a two-year backlog in debtors court virtually disappear. He’s sympathetic to underprivileged debtors and impressed by those who try to take the reins of their legal case and represent themselves pro se. “He’s alright. He has a job, you can tell,” Dear, who has a degree in social work, predicts of one debtor. About another litigant, he says, “Sometimes you can tell, if he’s taken [the case] that far, he’s probably right. All odds are he’s been shafted.” Some pro se debtors just need a little help. At one point during the morning court session, the flow of cases is interrupted by a woman having a particularly tough time. She has two debts, and says she wants to pay off the first, but the second could bankrupt her. Judge Dear adjourns the case so that she can seek counsel, but the woman is confused and begins to cry. “Everything will be okay,” Judge Dear says, changing his tone. “No one is hurt; everything is fine.” Beckoning a volunteer lawyer from the back of the courtroom, he tells her the attorney has now been assigned to her case and will explain everything. She dabs at her eyes, nods, and is led away. “I feel bad for people. I could do it a lot slower [by explaining the particulars of each case], but other people are here, taking days off work to be here. I want to give everybody a fair shake,” Dear explained. “That’s just how it is! A hundred cases a day, and all that reading. I’ve been doing this a year now.” ‘Feet to the Fire’ Elected in 2008 and appointed as an acting Supreme Court justice in 2010, Dear is also a former Brooklyn politician and renowned Democratic fundraiser in national circles, earning the close friendship of former President Bill Clinton, he said. His skills as a mediator and negotiator make him a great fit for this position, his colleagues and former supervising judge said. “He’s amazingly efficient in that part, and I give him all the credit that I can give,” said acting Kings County Supreme Court Justice Peter Sweeney, who for over a year was the Brooklyn Civil Court supervising judge. Sweeney praised Dear for holding attorneys to high standards of preparedness and for dismissing cases, when necessary, rather than letting lawyers without evidence get adjournments. “You have to nip that in the bud; you can’t let them get away with that, and Judge Dear is firm.” Former Judicial Hearing Officer Eileen Nadelson handled inquests and some small trials in Judge Dear’s part. She said that sometimes lawyers don’t like Judge Dear because he keeps the cases moving so fast. “He’s very rapid. He doesn’t give more than one shot. He won’t give [gratuitous] adjournments. … That holds the

Collection Action Lacked Evidence, Judge Noach Dear Finds

March 9, 2011 12:10 pm 1 Comment

A Brooklyn judge has dismissed a $7,000 collection action because the creditor “did not have even a scintilla of evidence” to present when the case was placed on the Civil Court’s trial calendar. Acting Supreme Court Justice Noach Dear rebuffed the creditor’s request for an adjournment because it “seemed to be nothing more than another effort to contact the alleged debtor” after all other means of collecting the debt had failed. “The courtroom is a place where the law is followed not skirted for convenience,” he said in LVNV Funding v. Hatzakis, 111517/10. The Civil Court Act (CCA) §1301 provides a mandate for the speedy resolution of cases on its dockets by requiring that where “any party appears in person, the clerk shall fix a date for trial not less than five or more than 15 days after joinder of issue,” Justice Dear wrote. Arthur Sanders, a partner at Mel S. Harris Associates, which represented LVNV Funding, said its client will appeal because the ruling deprives it of its statutory right to pretrial discovery. Mr. Sanders said the passage in the Civil Court Act quoted by Justice Dear applies to situations when there has been a notice of trial. A notice of trial, he said, contains a certification of the attorney for the party seeking a trial that discovery has been completed, which did not happen in this case. The collection action in LVNV Funding was filed on Dec. 10, 2010, and issue was joined when the debtor, Alicia Hatzakis, who was unrepresented, appeared at the courthouse at 141 Livingston St. on Dec. 30 and filed her answer, Justice Dear wrote. The clerk’s office then put the matter on the Brooklyn court’s “trial ready” calendar for Feb. 7, 2011. When both sides appeared on Feb. 7, LVNV requested an adjournment, stating it needed discovery to support its request for an adjournment. Justice Dear rejected the request because LVNV “had failed to make any discovery requests, let alone an investigation into its case, from the time issue was joined.” The judge asked an attorney representing LVNV for the basis on which the lawsuit had been filed. In his opinion, the judge characterized the lawyer’s answer as based “upon information that was predicated upon multiple layers of hearsay.” Further, Justice Dear noted that the court had sent LVNV a notice that was sent to all creditors pursuing collection actions warning that failure to be ready for trial can result in dismissal. After the adjournment was denied, Justice Dear dismissed the case because LVNV had “admitted it could not establish its prima facie case and could not assure the court that it would be able to do so on any adjourned date.” In the LVNV case, like “so many others,” Justice Dear wrote, a creditor, after starting a lawsuit based on “multiple hearsay” either obtains a default judgment that “would often times not pass muster” under the CPLR or “an in person settlement discussion. Either way the [creditor] stands to gain.” Justice Dear refused to take part in that process, which he described as allowing creditors to commandeer the court into “becoming another tool for debt collectors to force contact with alleged debtors for the statutory filing fee.” Justice Dear served as a New York City councilman for 18 years until term limits

NYT Praises Judge Noach Dear For Throwing Out Dept Collectors

May 9, 2010 9:11 am No Comments

The following article appears in the NY Times: As New Yorkers have tumbled into credit card debt in large numbers during the great recession, bill collectors have inundated the courts to get what they say is due. In turn, the courts have issued hundreds of thousands of orders against residents. Some consumer groups argue that by doing so, the courts have become little more than an arm of the debt collection industry. Now, a few judges in New York State are suggesting that they agree, at least in part, with the consumer groups. They have fumed at debt collectors and their lawyers, scolding them for interest as high as 30 percent a year and berating them for false statements and abusive practices. Some of the rulings have even been sarcastic or incredulous. In December, a Staten Island judge said debt collectors seemed to think their lawsuits were taking place in a legal Land of Oz, where everyone was supposed to follow anticonsumer rules invented by some unseen debt-collection wizard. Last month, a Manhattan appeals court threw out a credit card case, saying a debt collection company had sued the wrong person but pursued the case anyway. “I think these judges are outraged at the status quo, and they’re trying to change it,” said Janet Ray Kalson, a Manhattan lawyer who is the chairwoman of a City Bar Association committee that has studied the deluge of credit card cases. Debt-buyer businesses purchase debts – along with lists of names and amounts supposedly due – for pennies on the dollar from credit card companies and sometimes have no real evidence about whom they are suing or why. They then file tens of thousands of suits, often with little to back up their claims. A Nassau County District Court judge said recently, for example, that one of New York City’s high-volume debt collection law firms, which has close ties to a debt-buying company, did not provide “a scintilla of evidence” that there was even a debt in a case against a Long Island woman. The suit received an unusual amount of attention. The judge, Michael A. Ciaffa, said that it “regrettably, involves a veritable ‘perfect storm’ of mistakes, errors, misdeeds and improper litigation practices.” Judge Ciaffa said the law firm, Eltman, Eltman & Cooper, ignored court orders, made a “demonstrably false” assertion and harassed the woman for payment even after its suit was dismissed. The case before Judge Ciaffa ended with an order that is far from typical in a credit card suit. The woman who had been sued, Patricia Bohnet, a bookkeeper and single mother, did not have to pay anything. But Eltman, Eltman & Cooper had to pay $14,800 in sanctions for violating ethical rules at least 18 times. Under the judge’s order, $4,800 is to go to Ms. Bohnet and the remainder to a state fund that works to reimburse clients for dishonest conduct by lawyers. “They don’t care if you’re sick; they don’t care if you’re poor,” Ms. Bohnet said in an interview at her job in Woodmere. “Their only job is to collect money, and they’ll do it in any way possible.” In response to questions, the law firm said in a written statement that Judge Ciaffa had not had all the facts but that the firm would not

Judge Noach Dear Appointed To NYS Supreme Court

April 8, 2010 10:06 am 11 Comments

The Honorable Noach Dear has been appointed to the NYS Supreme Court last week, YWN has learned. The announcement was made by the administrative judge of the state courts of New York. Dear was appointed as an Acting Supreme Court Justice following his service in the civil court system since being elected two years ago. According to reports, the appointment was made because of Judge Dear’s impressive activities in consumer debt court. The consumer debt court is the first dedicated court of its kind in the United States which deals specifically with the issues of consumer debt collection. The appointment to Supreme Court will allow Judge Dear to to preside on cases that deal with foreclosures as well as real estate equity issues. He will continue presiding over consumer debt cases as well. Noach Dear was a NYC Councilman for more than 20 years in Brooklyn. YWN wishes Judge Dear much success in his new position.

Op-Ed: Noach Dear Should Stay Put

January 7, 2010 1:09 pm 14 Comments

With Simcha Felder leaving the City Council to go to the Comptroller’s Office (good luck Simcha!), there has been a lot of speculation about who is going to run for Simcha’s City Council seat. One name that has surfaced as a possible replacement for Simcha is Noach Dear. Although Noach served in the City Council many years ago, I do not believe that a run for the City Council would be wise at this point. In fact, it would prove to be harmful to the Orthodox community. Not that long ago, Noach was elected to serve as a New York State Civil Court Judge. Our community spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to elect him because we needed a frum Judge. As a judge, Noach is responsible for overseeing a wide variety of cases in the court, including the critical issues in today’s economy – debtor and creditor issues and foreclosures! People from Brooklyn’s frum communities of Borough Park, Flatbush, and Midwood appear before Judge Noach Dear on a regular basis, and we count on him to administer fair and compassionate justice. As a Judge, Noach understands the unique needs of the frum community, and having him on the Civil Court bench is vital. In today’s difficult economic times, many members of our community are unfortunately facing housing and foreclosure issues. Having Judge Dear in the courthouse looking out for our needs is invaluable, and to lose him as a judge would be devastating. As far as I know, each of the other possible candidates to replace Simcha Felder in the City Council is frum. Each one is from our community, and presumably each one would be a good advocate for us in the City Council. Under the circumstances, we do not need Noach Dear to throw his hat into the ring as well. If he resigns as a judge to run for the City Council, the odds are that his replacement as a Civil Court Judge would not come from the frum community. His replacement would not be familiar with our community, and would probably not be as focused as Noach is on helping our community whenever possible. Not to mention, we would have wasted the hundreds of thousands of dollars we spent to elect him in the first place for the ten year term (Noach has only served two of the ten years)! We need Noach Dear in the Civil Court, not in the City Council. Even though we will be losing our beloved Councilman Simcha Felder to the Comptroller’s office, his replacement will inevitably be a member of the frum community and someone who we know we can count on to fight for us. But if Noach Dear walks away from his judgeship, our community will be faced with the prospect of appearing in court before a judge who does not know or understand our community. The consequences of such a thing could be dire and could negatively impact our community. The best thing for our community is for Noach to remain a judge and watch over us in court, and for another member of our community to fight for us in City Hall. NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN. (Yanky Goldberg – YWN)

NYC: Judge Noach Dear; Tough Against Abusive Debt Collectors

November 29, 2009 9:19 am 1 Comment

The phone rang. A woman from a law firm representing a collection agency wanted to know if Mark Hoyte was Mark Hoyte, and he said he was. They were calling to collect $919 on a Sears-Citi card. A judge ruled that Mark Hoyte was entitled to be compensated wages lost the day he was summoned to court. He was wrongly sued for credit card debt. Mr. Hoyte said he never had that credit card. Then the woman wanted to know if his Social Security number ended in 92, and Mr. Hoyte said no, it ended in 33. “She says to me, ‘Your date of birth is in 1972,’ ” Mr. Hoyte, 46, recalled in an interview. Clearly, they had the wrong Mark Hoyte. But that did not stop the lawyers at Pressler & Pressler from suing him. They swore out a complaint and sent a summons to Mr. Hoyte, ordering him to be in court last Monday. Then things took a rare turn. Every day of the year, 1,000 cases on average are added to the civil court dockets in New York City over credit card debt — a high-volume, low-accuracy moment of reckoning. The suits are usually brought by collection companies that purchase the debt for pennies on the dollar from card issuers and then work with a cadre of law firms that specialize in collection work. Conducting a digital dragnet, they troll through commercial databases searching for debtors. Because of the vast sloppiness and fraud involved, Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo has shut down two of the collection firms and is suing 35 law firms tied to the business. A person who blows off a civil court summons — even if wrongly identified — faces a default judgment and frozen bank accounts. But to date, there have been few penalties against collectors for dragging the wrong people into court. Until Mr. Hoyte turned up last week in Brooklyn. After trying to settle the case in the hallway — the 11th floor of 141 Livingston Street is an open bazaar of haggling — the collections lawyer realized he had the wrong man. He got Mr. Hoyte to sign an agreement that would end the case against him, but not against the Mark Hoyte who actually owed the $919. In front of the judge, the lawyer, T. Andy Wang, announced that the parties had reached a stipulation dismissing this Mr. Hoyte from the suit. Not so fast, said the judge, Noach Dear. “Why didn’t you check these things out before you take out a summons and a complaint?” Judge Dear asked. “Why don’t you check out who you’re going after?” Mr. Wang said that Pressler & Pressler used an online database called AnyWho to hunt for debtors. “So you just shoot in the dark against names; if there’s 16 Mark Hoytes, you go after without exactly knowing who, what, when and where?” Judge Dear asked. Mr. Wang replied, “That’s why the plaintiff is making an application to discontinue.” The judge turned to Mr. Hoyte, who works as a building superintendent, and asked him how much a day of lost pay would cost. Mr. Hoyte said $115. “Do you think that’s fair?” Judge Dear asked Mr. Wang. “That he should lose a day’s pay?” “My personal opinion,” Mr. Wang said, “would

Video: Noach Dear Becomes a Judge

May 18, 2008 4:27 pm No Comments

Click HERE to see Noach Dear get sworn in as a judge.

Video & Photos: Honorable Noach Dear Is Sworn In As Judge

December 17, 2007 8:01 pm 4 Comments

(Click HERE for photos) Hundreds gathered this evening to watch as the Honorable Noach Dear was sworn in as Civil Court Judge in Brooklyn’s Fifth Civil Court District. The event took place in Brooklyn’s Borough Hall, and was attended by many prominent Rabbonim, community leaders, city & state officials. The district cover Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Sunset Park and the southernmost part of Park Slope. Click HERE to watch a 3 minute video – including Chazzan Bentzion Miller singing the National Anthem with a choir.

The Honorable Noach Dear

November 7, 2007 12:30 am 24 Comments

Yeshivaworld has learned that Noach Dear has won the election as Civil Court Judge in Brookly’s Fifth Civil Court District – which covers Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Sunset Park and the southernmost part of Park Slope. (Source: Hamodia News Room)

Noach Dear Wins Primary Election

September 18, 2007 10:17 pm 33 Comments

Noach Dear, the former NYC Councilman, has reportedly won the primary election for Civil Court Judge. He was running against Karen Yellen, a former judge, in the 5th District, which includes Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Boro Park, Dyker Heights, Kensington, Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace.

Hikind Endorses Noach Dear For NYC Civil Court Judge

June 17, 2007 8:04 am 20 Comments

According to today’s NY Post, Assemblyman Dov Hikind is endorsing longtime rival Noach Dear for Civil Court judge in Brooklyn. “We’re both older,” said Hikind. “We both have children. We both have grandchildren. Life goes on. He’s running, and I support him.” Hikind and Dear represented the same Borough Park neighborhood before term limits forced Dear off the City Council in 2001.

Simcha Felder To Leave Council & Join Comptroller – Race Between Greenfield & Dear for Council

January 5, 2010 11:24 am 31 Comments

EXCLUSIVE FIRST REPORT: NYC Councilman Simcha Felder, a close ally of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg who supported his campaign to revise term limits, plans to resign from the Council to work for the new comptroller, John C. Liu, according to a City Hall official with with direct knowledge of the situation. Mr. Felder, of Brooklyn, is expected to become a deputy comptroller for Mr. Liu, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the move is not yet official. Simcha’s resignation would create an immediate vacancy in the city council that would be filled by a special election. Sources tell Yeshiva World that David G. Greenfield, Esq., Director and Counsel of TEACH NYS would run for Council under this scenario. David is the leading advocate on behalf of Yeshivas in New York State and that alone would give him a tremendous electoral advantage. Sources also tell us that perrenial candidate Judge Noach Dear would run for the seat, as well. Finally, we’re told that Joe Lazar, who intended to run for this seat, realized that he can not win this race and is most likely going to drop out. Of course, we’ll keep you updated on this breaking story. PRESS RELEASE BY SIMCHA FELDER: Brooklyn, NY – Councilman Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) will be joining incoming Comptroller John Liu as a Deputy Comptroller of Budget and Accounting. Councilman Felder has been serving in the City Council since 2002, and is excited to be continuing his work on making the City run more efficiently. In the new post, Felder will help the Comptroller eliminate waste and make sure that taxpayer’s dollars are being spent wisely. The Deputy Comptroller for Budget and Accounting leads a staff of roughly 120 employees, and is responsible for many aspects of managing the City’s books. The position is responsible for putting together the Comptroller’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, it oversees the payment of the City’s bills, and leads the design and management of the accounting functions of the City’s central accounting and budgeting system, Financial Management Systems. “I am humbled to have been given this opportunity,” commented Felder. “It has been my honor to serve in the City Council, where I have had the privilege to serve a community my family and I have lived in our entire lives. That said, I am excited to take on the responsibilities inherent in working in the Comptroller’s office on behalf of all New Yorkers. I’ve worked with Comptroller John Liu in the Council for the past eight years, and I look forward to working closely with him.” “I am excited to have Councilman Felder joining my staff,” said Liu. “He has shown exceptional leadership and financial acumen, and impeccable integrity through his work in the Council, and I am confident that he will help my office perform at the highest level.” In his eight years in the City Council, Councilman Felder has fought for his district, while accomplishing a number of reforms that benefit all New Yorkers. He has secured funding to build and expand playgrounds and to open parks. As Chair of the Governmental Operations Committee, Councilman Felder collaborated with Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn to greatly limit the effects of lobbyists and to pass the toughest campaign finance laws in the country. He has also

NY ELECTION RESULTS: Aron Wieder, Ruchie Frier Are Victorious In Races Of Interest To Jewish Communities

September 14, 2016 8:45 am 3 Comments

The following are the election results of interest to the Orthodox Jewish community in New York City And Rockland & Orange Counties: BROOKLYN: One of the most hotly contested races was for civil court for Boro Park and parts of Flatbush. Ruchie Frier was victorious over Mordechai Avigdor. Avigdor was the former lawyer for Agudas Yisroel of America and Ruchie Frier the founder of Ezra’s Nashim – an all female ambulance service. She will replace Noach Dear in the civil court. Judge Dear was recently promoted to State Supreme Court – New York’s main trial court. Odessa Kennedy won in the race for (Kings) county-wide Civil Court Judge. Senator Roxanne Persaud Senate won her race in Southern Brooklyn (serving parts of Mill Basin, Canarsie) AssemblyMember Pam Harris won (serving parts of Sea Gate, Coney Island) Attorney Robert Carrol won the race for New York State Assembly (serving parts of Kensington, Boro Park) The following four canddates ran uncontested and obviously were victorious: Senator Simcha Felder Assemblyman Dov Hikind Hikind’s young aide, Duvid Schwartz, won Democratic Male State Committeeman. Sharon Fuchs who also works for Assemblyman Dov Hikind won Democratic Female State Committeewoman. ROCKLAND & ORANGE COUNTIES: In Rockland County, Five-term incumbent Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee fended off a challenge for the Democratic primary line Tuesday in the 97th Assembly District. Jaffee beat out challenger and Airmont Planning Board member Thomas Gulla. The district includes Orangetown, the Ramapo villages of Spring Valley, Suffern, Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Hillburn, parts of Montebello, New Square, and areas in unincorporated Ramapo, including sections of Monsey. Meanwhile, in a historic win, Rockland County Legislator and former East Ramapo school board president Aron Wieder defeated Krystal Serrano of Monroe in the Democratic primary for the 98th Assembly District. Wieder, of Spring Valley, won the Democratic party line by beating Serrano 2,300 to 1,523. Wieder also defeated Incumbent Karl Brabenec for the Independence party line. The 98th Assembly District includes parts of the villages of Spring Valley, Montebello, Wesley Hills, Monsey and Kaser, and all of the village of Sloatsburg. The Orange County towns of Monroe, Tuxedo, Warwick, Minisink, Greenville and Deerpark also are represented. In all of these races, there are still general elections to be fought in November. (Charles Gross – YWN)

Today’s Interesting Elections in Brooklyn

September 13, 2016 9:16 am 22 Comments

Democratic voters in Brooklyn have primaries they can vote in today that in most cases will determine the eventual winner of the election. The most hotly contested race in the Jewish community is between Mordechai Avigdor, the former lawyer for Agudas Yisroel of America and Ruchie Frier the founder of Ezra’s Nashim – an all female ambulance service. They are vying to replace Noach Dear in the civil court for Boro Park and parts of Flatbush. Judge Dear was recently promoted to State Supreme Court – New York’s main trial court. Also today, is a county-wide race between Connie Melendez and Odessa Kennedy for Civil Court. There is also contested race for New York State Assembly and Senate in Southern Brooklyn. Senator Roxanne Persaud is being challenged by Mercedes Narcisse. Senator Persaud has the support of most elected officials. However, Mercedes Narcisse has the backing of Charles & Inez Barron. In the New York State Assembly, AssemblyMember Pam Harris is being challenged by Kate Cucco. AssemblyMember Harris has the support of Councilman David Greenfield. Also in the New York State Assembly is an open seat to replace Assemblyman Jim Brennan. Attorney Robert Carrol is running as is Troy Odendhal, a radio producer, and Rob Curry-Smithson, a history teacher. Mr. Carrol used to work for Councilman Greenfield who is supporting his candidacy, as well. Finally, there are four local uncontested races today that don’t require any votes and because they have no completion these four are essentially guaranteed to be elected in November: Senator Simcha Felder is running unopposed on the Republican, Democratic and Conservative lines. Assemblyman Dov Hikind is running unopposed on the Democratic line. Hikind also resigned from his leadership post in the a Democratic Party and hand-selected his 22 year old aide to replace him as Democratic Male State Committeeman. Hikind’s young aide, Duvid Schwartz, is running unopposed for the unpaid party position. He will join Sharon Fuchs who also works for Assemblyman Dov Hikind and is also running unopposed for Democratic Female State Committeewoman. (Charles Gross – YWN)

Elected Officials And Community Leaders Attend Bay Democrats Club Grand Reopening

January 24, 2014 7:15 am 1 Comment

The frigid temperatures and slippery streets in Brooklyn and all across didn’t stop the many community leaders, neighborhood residents and elected officials to show their support for the reopening of the 45th Assembly District’s Bay Democrats Club Wednesday evening. The club, headed by 45th Assembly Democratic District leader, Ari Kagan, was officially created a few days before the district was devastated by the damages caused by Super Storm Sandy in late October 2012. Since then, the various communities were engaged in rebuilding and and reassembling. Mr. Kagan also ran an unsuccessful campaign for the City Council last year, where he lost the Democratic nomination to Council member Chaim Deutsch. Among the prominent Brooklyn elected officials present at Wednesday night’s meeting were, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Assemblyman Bill Colton, Council members David Greenfield, Chaim Deutsch an Mark Treyger, former City Comptroller John Liu, former Councilman Michael Nelson, local district leader and Civil Court Judge Noach Dear. The Democratic District Leader, Ari Kagan, welcomed the many dignitaries and resident to the organization’s permanent home on Coney Island Avenue. “Now that Bay Democrats has a home we can focus on the issues affecting our community,” said Mr. Kagan. “I am most optimistic because of the broad support we have from the community.” “The impressive turnout demonstrates that this district is searching for leadership,” said Ben Akselrod, president of the club. “While we are fortunate to live in a great community there are issues, some serious, that have remained unaddressed for too long. Tonight is not only the opening of a new political club, but it is the beginning of a community that has come together to affect positive change.” (Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)

CD44 – Republican Joseph Hayon May Qualify For Matching Funds

July 15, 2013 3:07 pm No Comments

Republican activist and Republican candidate for the 44th City Council District Joseph Hayon, filed at the Board of Elections, Monday, the minimum amount needed to qualify for the City’s 6-1 matching funds. According to Mr. Hayon’s campaign, the amount claimed this filing period as eligible for matching funds, $5,135.00, was filed by his treasurer Abraham Schwartz, who was Noach Dear’s treasurer in the past. “I greatly appreciate the financial support I am receiving,” Mr. Hayon told YWN. “I pledge to work hard as the representative of the City Council 44th district, be a voice for the issues that concern its constituents, and be a model by always acting with integrity.” Joseph Hayon is challenging Councilman David Greenfield, who has also received the backing of the Brooklyn Conservative Party. (Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)

Petira Of R’ Yonoson Neiman Z”L

August 4, 2010 8:13 am 3 Comments

We regret to announce the petirah of Reb Yonoson (“Jonas”) Neiman z”l, who was a long-time resident of Brooklyn, where he was known as a highly respected and conscientious mashgiach in the kosher food industry. After he retired, he moved to Yerushalayim, where he lived out his years. The kevurah took place on Tuesday, August 3rd, in Beit Shemesh. Reb Neiman, a Holocaust survivor, was born in Poland and as a young teanager he remembers the Imrei Emes. The Gerrer Rebbe, the Lev Simchah z.t.l’v would honor him due to his closeness with Gerrer Chasidus. The niftar is survived by his wife, Mrs. Libby Neiman, and two daughters: Mrs. Esther Frimer, wife of Prof. Aryeh Frimer of Rechovot; and Mrs. Rickly Dear, wife of Judge Noach Dear. There are many grandchildren and great-children, all of who are shomrei Torah who carry on the legacy of the niftar. He was man who won the regard and affection of all who knew him, a man who loved Torah, Klal Yisroel, and never spoke ill of others. Mrs. Dear will sit shivah at her home, 969 East Seventh St, Brooklyn NY 11230, (between Ave. I and “the cut”). Mrs. Neiman and Mrs. Frimer will be sitting shiva in Rechovot, Israel. May the family have a nechamah in the z’chus of the niftar’s dedication to Torah and in the z’chus of the doros yesharim that he leaves behind. (YWN Desk – NYC)

In Boro Park, A Battle Between Old- and New-Style Politics

January 28, 2010 11:32 am 11 Comments

The following unedited article appears on “City Hall News“. (Link below) To all outside appearances, Assembly Member Dov Hikind had been something of a mench for his former chief of staff, David Greenfield. When Greenfield had gone to Albany to lobby elected officials, he had lunched in Hikind’s office. A couple years ago, Hikind’s political club, the United New York Democrats, held an event honoring Greenfield for his community service. And only a few months ago, when the bris of Greenfield’s second son fell on a Jewish holiday, the conservative Orthodox Hikind walked miles to Greenfield’s synagogue for the ceremony. Yet when Council Member Simcha Felder announced his resignation in early January to take a job in Comptroller John Liu’s office, Hikind, a longtime powerbroker in Boro Park’s Orthodox Jewish community, made clear he was adamantly opposed to Greenfield winning the special election to replace Felder. “That’s the goal of everybody, to be united [against Greenfield],” Hikind said at the time. Hikind maneuvered behind the scenes to ensure only a single candidate from Boro Park would run against Greenfield, since Greenfield is seen as the strongest candidate in the district’s other neighborhoods, Bensonhurt and Midwood. In the end, Hikind succeeded, with Judge Noach Dear taking a pass on the race, leaving Hikind’s longtime friend Joe Lazar running as the sole Boro Park candidate. In an interview, Hikind refused to discuss why he and others in Boro Park’s political establishment are so entrenched in their opposition to Greenfield. Greenfield, meanwhile, chalks up their issues to generational and stylistic differences, and bashed Hikind’s efforts to consolidate the opposition against him. “This is the exact type of backroom, smoke-filled-room politics that I’m running against,” Greenfield said. Those close to Hikind and Greenfield believe the tension is more political than personal. Each camp cites the same basic facts, each running it through their own interpretations of what is good and what is bad. In 2004, two years after the end of his brief tenure working for Hikind, Greenfield was tapped to run the newly formed Sephardic Community Federation, and helped turn the south Brooklyn Jewish community into a political force. These connections also helped Greenfield develop a base of support separate from Hikind that helped him raise $177,000. Lazar, meanwhile, has relied on Hikind to line up fundraising and endorsements. One political insider in the Jewish community who has spoken with Greenfield about the relationship believes the main source of the tension is that Hikind was not asked to play kingmaker by Greenfield. “David didn’t go and ask for Dov’s blessing,” said the insider, noting that Hikind himself was once considering running for the Council seat. Another factor in the split with Hikind appears to be the new—and by many accounts effective—style of lobbying that Greenfield has brought to local Jewish politics. Greenfield’s aggressive tactics and novel style of coalition-building, however, have rubbed some in the Boro Park political establishment the wrong way. “When you’re Eliot Spitzer trying to steamroll everyone, that’s one thing—and even that didn’t work for Eliot Spitzer,” said one political insider in Boro Park. “When you’re just some young guy, that’s a totally different thing.” In 2006, Greenfield formed a coalition of leaders across the religious spectrum called Teach NYS and launched an aggressive lobbying and mail campaign on behalf

David vs Goliath: Hikind Wants To Crush Greenfield

January 23, 2010 8:45 pm 18 Comments

Boro Politics reports: The upcoming special election to succeed Simcha Felder for the 44th District City Council seat is shaping up as a political version of David versus Goliath, according to Hassidic and Orthodox Jewish political pundits in Borough Park. But in this case, the David is candidate David Greenfield and the Goliath is longtime Assemblymember Dov Hikind. “Hikind wants to crush Greenfield and everyone knows it,” said one highly knowledgeable political source. Ironically, Greenfield got his political start working as Hikind’s chief of staff. “Dov has earned the respect from everyone in the community for going beyond what an ordinary assemblyman can accomplish,” said Ezra Friedlander, CEO of the Friedlander Group, a leading government and public relations firm based in Borough Park. “But that said, this election will be closely watched for its implications not only pertaining to the actual candidates but to Dov Hikind, who is universally regarded for time immemorial as the tone setter of how the community should exercise its vote,” At press time, the special election race looks to be a two-man contest between Greenfield and longtime civil servant Joe Lazar. Former State Sen. Seymour Lachman is also considering throwing his hat in the ring. Lazar recently received Hikind’s blessing after the assembly member struck a deal with Borough Park’s Hasidic community, according to sources. Hikind originally wanted former City Councilmember and current Civil Court Judge Noach Dear to run against Greenfield, but met with resistance from the Hasidic community, who were considering putting up their own candidate. Hikind, who has been in office 28 years, refused comment on the race through his office. Dear could not be reached for comment, but political observers feel that Dear will not run at the risk of losing his judgeship. Sources said the Hasidic community felt Hikind turned his back on them by supporting pro-choice and pro-gay marriage candidate Brad Lander in his recent and successful run for the 39th City Council district, which also covers a small portion of Borough Park. That community backed conservative Democrat John Heyer, and Heyer wound up winning the Borough Park portion of the district, 1,245 to 219 or roughly 6-to-1 vote. “There was a certain expectation that the community should not back a different candidate then Dov, but no one anticipated John Heyer galvanizing the Hasidic community the way he did,” said one source, adding that Hikind decided to go with Lazar so as not to impose his will on the Hasidic community the way he attempted to do with Lander. “This is an indirect referendum on Dov Hikind, no question about it,” said another source. “If Greenfield wins, the era of Dov Hikind as the supreme ruler of Borough Park and the community is over.” Yet, while a Greenfield victory would hurt Hikind’s role in the area as kingmaker, he still remains hugely popular in Borough Park. Hikind knows how to work with people and his assembly seat would not be in jeopardy, sources said. (Source: http://www.boropolitics.com/stories/2/3/02_03_44_hikind.html)

Exclusive: Hikind Backs Lazar at Lander Event (PHOTOS)

January 15, 2010 9:52 am 6 Comments

[PHOTO LINK BELOW] The race to fill Councilman Simcha Felder’s council seat is heating up. Just last night, at the inaugural event for Hikind-backed Councilman Brad Lander, Assemblyman Dov Hikind backed Joe Lazar for City Council. Sources say that despite Hikind’s best efforts to force Judge Noach Dear into the race for City Council, Judge Dear is reluctant to give up his prestigious judgeship for what many view as a messy council race. Previously, Hikind has stated that all of Boro Park would be united against David Greenfield, the Director & Counsel of TEACH NYS, and leading contender for City Council. Crains News explained this morning that Hikind’s opposition to Greenfield is because Greenfield “irked Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver by urging Silver’s constituents to demand a tax credit for parochial school parents.” Apparently, Hikinds plan to unite Boro Park against Greenfield has failed. Sources say that at last night’s event several Boro Park leaders pledged their support to Greenfield. Also, there is still talk of a possible chasidic candidate in the form of either lobbyist Ezra Friedlander or cell-phone store owner Pinny Ringel. Finally, according to Crains, local Boro-Parker Moishe Oiring is said to be mulling a campaign that would be funded by his parents. Keep your browser set to The Yeshiva World News for all the latest on this exciting race for city council. The special election is anticipated to be on Tuesday, March 23rd. YWN PHOTO LINK: Click on the following link to see photos taken by Hillel Engel for YWN: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/photos.php?albumid=5426975646379436305 (Dov Gordon – YWN)

Is Ezra Friedlander Running For Felder’s Seat?

January 13, 2010 9:14 am 10 Comments

The following is an article appearing in YourNabe.com: Add Ezra Friedlander’s name to the mix of possible candidates to succeed Simcha Felder in the City Council from the 44th District. Felder’s sudden resignation last week to become assistant comptroller under newly elected Comptroller John Liu has the district including Borough Park, Bensonhurst and Midwood reeling. Felder will officially step down Jan. 31, and Mayor Bloomberg is then expected to call the special election in mid-March. “I am considering running and will make my decision before the end of January,” said Friedlander, the CEO of the Friedlander Group, a public relations organization that specializes in government affairs. Friedlander said he has been approached by longtime community members that would like to see a home-grown Borough Park candidate who would represent the interests of the entire district. “History would be made if I was elected as the first Hasidic candidate,” said Friedlander, whose grandfather came to Borough Park in 1947 and established one of the first Hasidic congregations in the neighborhood. Friedlander said he has been assured by several supporters that he would be able to raise the maximum amount of money allowed by the city Campaign Finance Board to spend on the race. That amount is $161,000 including $88,500 in city matching funds. Either way, Assemblymember Dov Hikind is reportedly leading the charge, along with some members of Agudath Israel, in a an anybody-but-David Greenfield campaign. Among the people that Hikind is pushing to run is either longtime civic activist Joe Lazar or former City Council member and current Civil Court Judge Noach Dear. However, Hikind reportedly doesn’t want both to run because that would help Greenfield. Greenfield, who used to work for Hikind, is said by sources to be a reformer in the tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community. Dear, for instance, has had several ethical lapses, including one where he agreed to repay more than $37,000 to a private foundation under a civil settlement announced by Robert Abrams, then New York Attorney General, after it was found he used the foundation’s money to pay for expenses for his wife and kids. Sources say that Dear, who as a judge cannot talk about his running, is strongly considering stepping down to run, but wants a clear path to victory. However, if he loses, sources said that several district leaders will not support a Dear run to get his judgeship back in September. Meanwhile, Lazsar said he has every intention of running, but won’t announce formally until Felder steps down. “I have no reason to step aside for anybody. I think Noach Dear, being younger then me, should step aside and stay on the bench,” said Lazar. Likewise, Greenfield, whose base is strongest in Midwood and Bensonhurst, said his hat is in the race. I don’t concern myself with who will be running against me, Regardless of who runs, it will be clear that we have the best plan to deliver results to this community,” said Greenfield. Also running is Republican Jonathan Judge. One longtime political operative in the district said he is staying out of the race completely because it will get ugly. It’s going to get down and dirty. Everyone is going to be digging up stuff. There will be posters being torn down and all kinds of stuff,” said the

Hikind: The Goal Of Everybody Is To Be United Against Greenfield

January 7, 2010 3:17 am 19 Comments

The following are excerpts of an article by Chris Bragg of City Hall News: Assembly Member Dov Hikind, an influential powerbroker in the Jewish Orthodox community of Boro Park, is seeking to use his influence to narrow the field of candidates who are planning to run in the special election to fill Simcha Felders seat. Hikind said he is trying to dissuade either Joe Lazar, a longtime local government official, or former Council Member Noach Dear, a Brooklyn Civil Court judge, from running because he fears they could split the Boro Park vote, and hand the election to David Greenfield. “That’s the goal of everybody, to be united [against Greenfield],” Hikind said. Greenfield has already declared that he will run for Felder’s seat. If multiple Boro Park candidates run against Greenfield, this would give Greenfield a leg up in the special election, Hikind said. Greenfield served as Hikind’s chief of staff from 2001-2004. But political insiders say Greenfield is more independent of the Boro Park political establishment than other potential candidates in the race and represents a threat to Hikind’s influence. Hikind declined to comment on the reasons why he opposes Greenfield. Thursday morning, Hikind is expected hold a meeting with Lazar where the two will discuss whether Lazar will stay in the race, Lazar confirmed. “I’m meeting with Dov, and I really need to talk with Noach as well to see what’s going on,” said Lazar. “It is my intention to run, but I need to see what’s going on.” Several political insiders in the neighborhood said they expected Hikind to ask Lazar to drop out of the race. Dear, meanwhile, is a near-lock to run for the seat whether Hikind wants him to run or not, said several neighborhood insiders. Dear also would likely be a more viable candidate than Lazar, given his two decades of building name recognition as a Council member in the 80’s and 90’s, they said. Hikind, however, said he had no intention of asking Lazar to step aside at the meeting, and said that his goal is simply to get a single candidate running against Greenfield – whether Lazar or Dear. Meanwhile, it struck some Greenfield supporters as odd that Hikind would go to such lengths to thwart Greenfield’s political ambitions. “That’s fascinating,” said Council Member Lew Fidler. “David used to be [Hikind’s] chief-of-staff, so I don’t know what category to put that in.” Though Greenfield does not have Hikind’s support, he is not lacking for endorsements. He has already privately lined up the support of Kings County Democratic Party Leader Vito Lopez, State Sens. Carl Kruger and Marty Golden and Council Members Domenic Recchia, a source close to the Greenfield campaign said. Greenfield said that he was not concerned about who would be running against him and that he is planning on making Hikind’s brand of old-school politics a talking point in the campaign. “This is the exact type of backroom, smoke-filled room politics that I’m running against,” Greenfield said. “This backroom deal-making is not going to select the City Council candidate.” COMPLETE ARTICLE AT CITYHALLNEWS.COM

Jewish Press Interviews Governor Paterson: Vouchers, Toeiva Marriage & Black-Jewish Relations

November 4, 2009 9:17 pm 5 Comments

David Paterson is the fourth African American and only the second legally blind governor in U.S. history. The son of former New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson, he spent 20 years in New York’s state senate before being chosen as Eliot Spitzer’s running mate for the 2006 New York gubernatorial election. He became governor on March 17, 2008 after Spitzer resigned. The Jewish Press recently spoke with Paterson about matters of interest to New York’s Jewish community. The Jewish Press: Many Orthodox Jews, and Catholics for that matter, pay taxes for a public school system they don’t use. Is there any hope of a school voucher program being introduced and pushed through the legislature under your administration? Paterson: This is an issue I have not fully embraced, but I certainly embrace more than when I first started. I actually went to the Alliance For School Choice conference in August of 2005, and I was sitting in one of the meetings, and I thought, “You know, I think I’m the only person in this room who voted for Kerry!” Paterson:But charter schools are probably the closest that we’re going to get to [school vouchers] right now, and I’ve been a pretty big charter school advocate to this point. But of course as a government official I have to embrace the public school system. JP: So charter schools, but not necessarily school vouchers. Paterson:Not necessarily school vouchers because what happens is if you take enough money out of the public system, you’ve destroyed it. JP: But many people argue that if the government provided vouchers to all parents, schools would have to compete with one another, and all schools – both public and private – would improve educationally and thrive. It’s an argument I’m still wrestling with because even with the charter schools around Albany, they opened up so many charter schools that they almost shut down the public school system. Remember, what you’re doing now is what they eliminated in the desegregation era. Desegregation wasn’t just racial equality; part of desegregation was that the South couldn’t support two school systems. And my question is: Can we do it? Now, I know we can’t do it right now, but when we get past the recession, that’s a conversation we certainly should have. JP: The Bible clearly opposes homosexual behavior, calling it an “abomination.” Yet you are currently trying to push a bill through New York’s legislature, which would legalize gay marriage. Why? Paterson: First of all, I think we can agree that there is a dispute on what the Bible says about a lot of things. But to some extent we’ve all, regardless of how we feel personally – and I was christened Catholic, by the way – become tolerant of the fact that we have a lot of gay and lesbian citizens who live in our society. So now we get to the legal question – it’s not a biblical question but a legal one: If these people live together, what rights do they have? The bigger issue, to be perfectly honest, is what [opposition to gay marriage] does to our culture. In other words, suppose you work at an office where someone is gay and this person is getting married. They’re having a reception in the office for the

NY Times Article: Kevin Parker Says Simcha Felder Simply Looking For Job

September 7, 2008 9:41 am 2 Comments

It has become something of a ritual in recent weeks. Every few days, State Senator Kevin S. Parker announces that another prominent elected official has endorsed him, often doing so at a press conference in front of Brooklyn’s Borough Hall. Mr. Parker, a Democrat who was an aide to H. Carl McCall, a former state comptroller, has been trying to showcase his support among leaders throughout Brooklyn. And these leaders say Mr. Parker needs all the support he can get because he is regarded as being in the fight of his short career. Two City Council members are challenging Mr. Parker: Kendall Stewart and Simcha Felder. The winner of Tuesday’s primary is virtually guaranteed to win in the November election in the 21st District, which is overwhelmingly Democratic. Senator Parker insists that his opponents are driven more by their looming joblessness than a desire to serve the district: under the city’s term-limit laws, both councilmen are barred from running for re-election next year. But within the district, which includes Flatbush and East Flatbush, many view the race as a referendum on whether Mr. Parker has lived up to expectations. When he was first elected in 2002, he was celebrated as representing the best of the new generation of the borough’s politicians. But Mr. Parker has had a sometimes turbulent tenure in a district where his hold on the electorate has been seen as tenuous. His opponents — and more than a few of his supporters — accuse him of arrogance and of an inability to control his temper. Four years ago, he survived a challenge in the Democratic primary by former City Councilman Noach Dear, who spent heavily and came within a few hundred votes of an upset victory. The following year, the senator was arrested, the police said, after he punched a traffic agent in the face as the agent was writing a summons for the senator’s double-parked car. While the charges were dropped, the episode has not been forgotten. “My main issue is that he has been causing a lot of embarrassment in our district because of his anger issues and his record of not being involved,” Councilman Stewart said. “He’s largely been absent in the district and in Albany.” Mr. Felder put it similarly. “There are three primary roles any official has: To help constituents with their problems, to pass legislation and to bring home the bacon, or if you’re kosher, the pastrami. And he’s been missing in action on all three.” Incumbent state senators typically enjoy huge advantages, like name recognition and a greater ability to raise campaign funds. But both of Mr. Parker’s challengers are public officials who have proven popular with voters and adept at raising money. Mr. Felder has raised more than $1 million and has benefited from fund-raisers hosted by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, his most prominent supporter. (Mr. Parker has raised about $400,000 and Mr. Stewart has raised less than $100,000.) Mr. Parker defended his Senate record, saying he has helped the Legislature achieve on-time budgets in four consecutive years and has steered more state spending for public education. “I launched an H.I.V. and AIDS task force for the district,” Mr. Parker said. “My record has been solid.” This year’s primary has had an undercurrent of ethnic politics. In the last

La Guardia Airport: Tefillin FOUND!!

March 9, 2007 5:53 am 7 Comments

Just three days ago YW posted THIS post about a Yeshiva Bochur who lost his Tefillin at La Guardia Airport. We now received the following email:

Rav Mordechai Gifter Zt”l On Eretz Yisroel And Its Role In Global Destiny

January 21, 2025 4:30 pm No Comments

Hashem said through the Prophet Isaiah (62:1): “For the sake of Zion I will not hold My peace and for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still.” The Targum’s interpretation of this verse casts a brilliant light on the current world situation: Hashem pledges that until Zion and Jerusalem are peaceful and secure, He will allow no rest to the nations of the earth. The situation of the Jewish people cannot be viewed in a vacuum, separate and apart from the world order. We are in the habit of scanning the long list of international crises and feeling that the situation of our beleaguered brothers in Eretz Yisroel would matter precious little to anyone except fellow Jews, were it not for the ever-present danger of a superpower confrontation. Energy crises, floundering Great Britain, Watergate and its threat to the American political system, French recalcitrance in Europe, Russo Chinese hostility, the sanguinary “cease-fire” in Vietnam, and the list goes on and on. People who see things in “perspective” are well aware that in terms of “the big picture” a few pieces of real estate in Sinai and Golan are of little significance on the larger landscape. So on the one hand; we are grateful that the physical survival of three million Jews in Israel is interwoven in the fabric of American-Russian relations; hence, it is important enough to demand the notice of the White House and the Kremlin. But on the other hand, we tremble in anticipation of possible Jewish sacrifices upon the altar of detente and increased petroleum production. Isaiah tells us we are wrong. Eretz Yisroel is not simply one problem in isolation of myriad world problems; it is a major source of world problems. Hashem has made a pledge that as long as Zion and Jerusalem live in crises and fear, the world will have no rest. Japan will falter and suffer loss of face. Great Britain will rock with domestic instability and a trade imbalance that boggles the mind. The United States will be told that it must curb its energy appetite and change its life-style. Why? Because the Supreme Being will allow rest and security to no nation as long as His most favored nation is threatened. It was no coincidence that Vietnam threatened to erupt again shortly after the Yom Kippur War, or that Europe, France and the United States descended to levels of petty squabbling unmatched since the trade wars of two generations ago; that political upheaval has threatened almost every major power these past months. Hashem will not be silent to others so long as they look with apathy or antipathy upon the tribulations of Zion and Jerusalem. When we agonize over Eretz Yisroel, we are contemplating not only the Holy Land, but the entire universe, just as the heart surgeon knows that his area of specialization controls life itself. Indeed, the stakes are even higher than that. The Prophetess Devorah curses those who did not come to the aid of her forces as they battled the hordes of Sisera “because they did not come to the help of the L-rd, to the help of the L-rd against the mighty men” (Judges 5:23). Rashi explains that whoever helps the Jews is as though he had helped G-d Himself.

HaRav Zilberstein To Paley Family: “Techiyas HaMeisim Will Occur Very Soon”

February 18, 2023 6:25 pm 8 Comments

HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein on Thursday evening sent a letter of tanchumim to the Paley family. The grandfather of the family, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Paley, lives in the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak, where HaRav Zilberstein serves as the Rav. “Lichvod the dear and beloved Paley family, shalom and bracha,” Rav Zilberstein began. “It’s known that the Belzer Rebbe, [HaRav Aharon, z’tl] fled from Galicia at the beginning of the Holocaust and moved from place to place for four years and arrived in Eretz Yisrael after he lost his entire extended family of 70 people, and he knew that most of his chassidim was murdered al Kiddush Hashem. “The first Shabbos that he was in Eretz Yisrael was Parshas B’Shalach, Shabbos Shirah, which he spent in Haifa. On Friday night, he said a devar Torah on the passuk Az Yashir Moshe U’vnei Yisrael, and Rashi explains that Yashir is written in future tense because it hints at Techiyas Hameisim. “And he asked, ‘Why davka in this passuk did the Torah hint at Techiyas Hameisim? And he answered, ‘Because several pessukim beforehand, Rashi wrote on the passuk ‘וחמושים עלו בני .ישראל מארץ מצרים’ “חמושים – one of out five left [Mitzrayim] and four-fifths died in the three days of darkness. Afterward, at Kriyas Yam Suf, when Bnei Yisrael needed to say shira, which can only be said b’simcha, Bnei Yisrael said to themselves: ‘How can we say shira and be happy when only one out of five left Mitzrayim, and four-fifths were buried there?’ And apparently, each one had many relatives who died during the three days of darkness.” “So what did Bnei Yisrael do? They reminded themselves that soon techiyas hameisim will occur and they’ll be zocheh again to unite with their family members and then they’ll say shirah b’simcha. And apparently already then, their hearts filled with simcha and they were able to say shira b’simcha.” “And so, we will say after the terrible tragedy in which the kedoshim, Asher Menachem, h’yd, and Yaakov Yisrael, h’yd, were killed al kiddush Hashem. The tzaar is very deep but we must remind ourselves that soon, mamash soon, techiyas hameisim will occur and you will quickly be zochech to be united with them again when Moshiach comes and at the building of our Beis Mikdash, bimheirah b’yameinu, Amen.” HaRav Zilberstein ended with a bracha for a refuah sheleimah for the father of the family Avraham Noach ben Yehudis and words of tanchumim. “והשי”ת ישלח רפואה שלימה מן השמים לאביכם הרב הגאון רבי אברהם נח בן יהודית שליט”א, והמקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים, ולא ישמע עוד שוד ושבר בגבולכם כל הימים. הכותב וחותם בדמע, אחיכם”. מקום החותם.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

$1,000,000 TO INSPIRE MILLIONS

December 16, 2019 7:00 am No Comments

You have seen the Faces of Project Inspire: the incredible impact on individuals of Project Inspire/Jinspire programs…whether online or in local communities, the recent Shabbat Retreat for 920 equally represented less affiliated and more observant Jews, the Project Inspire Convention, trips to Israel and much more. No matter your age or background, these opportunities have inspired you – and ignited your desire to reach many more of our dear Jewish brothers and sisters to connect meaningfully with fellow Jews. A “Million 2 Inspire.” As 2019 ends, now is the opportunity to gain a tax deduction – and simultaneously expand Project Inspire’s array of programs, events and initiatives that unite Jews learning and sharing their Judaism together. That’s why we invite you today to donate to Project Inspire. Your donation will go directly to inspiring and enabling caring Jews to bring back the 90% of our brothers and sisters who are disconnected from our precious Jewish heritage. When you donate to Project Inspire, you invest in events like the incredible Shabbat Retreat for the Body and Soul to bring together hundreds of diverse Jews to celebrate a life-changing Shabbos together… Donate HERE now. You invest in transformational trips to Israel, Poland, Kentucky, Ft. Myers and beyond that awaken the Jewish soul to a life of purpose… You invest in the vision of Rav Noach Weinberg to familiarize all Jews with the wisdom of the Torah’s instructions for living…and increase the over 1,000 enrolled in our 1on1 Learning Program… You make possible the innumerable Evenings of Wine and Wisdom, Challah Bakes, pre-Holiday gatherings and much more taking place in local homes harmoniously merging observant and less committed Jews… If we expect today’s generation of Jews to be proud and embrace their roots… If we expect them to stand up to the wave of apathy sweeping our nation… If we expect them to pass along the eternal flame of Judaism to their children… Someone needs to surround them with passionate men and women who can connect them to their heritage and transform the way they look at the world. That’s where you come in. Mi K’amcha, Yisrael. These are the Jewish People. Now, more than ever, we need your help. Now, more than ever, the impact of your gift will ripple through generations. Imagine: Men and women who have never felt the importance of Torah or a relationship with G-d will spend significant time with a fellow Jew delving into Jewish texts and Jewish thought. Some will focus on Jewish values and history. Some will focus on philosophy. All will focus on the words and meaning. But it can’t happen without you. DONATE NOW. Now is the time. Simply put: without your generosity, we cannot reach more people to connect them to their roots. Without your help, we cannot unite the Jewish people through a love of Torah learning and their fellow Jews. There has never been a time when your financial support is more critical to Project Inspire and Jinspire than now. Please donate today. This cause is so important that a group of generous donors has challenged us to raise $1,000,000 in just TWO DAYS to support Project Inspire. To help with that goal, they have agreed to QUADRUPLE each dollar you donate in 51 hours starting 7:00 PM after Shabbat, December 14th through 10:00 PM Monday, December 16th.

$1,000,000 TO INSPIRE MILLIONS

December 15, 2019 10:00 am No Comments

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