Hatzalah Called and Responds to Accident Shabbos Morning

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Shabbos morning at around 9:30, Hatzalah was called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on Empire Boulevard and Albany Avenue. It is unclear who called or why, but Hatzalah responded and treated two drivers both of whom were not Jewish.

TONIGHT: 71st Precinct Council Meeting

Dear concerned residents of Crown Heights, the monthly meeting of the 71st Precinct Community board will take place today, Thursday, the 23nd of April at 7:00pm, in the public school across the street from the 71st Precinct, 400 Empire Blvd.

At this meeting there will be a discussion about the city selling off all overdue and delinquent water bills and/or tax bills to a lien company. There will be a speaker from NEDAP [Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project] who will come and speak about the Tax Lien Sale.

Also, residents can bring up grievances and concerns with the police department. Come and make your voices heard.

Developer Eli Ezagui Indicted in $18M Mortgage Fraud

BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn developer who federal prosecutors say took condo buyers and banks for more than $18 million in an elaborate mortgage scam was indicted Wednesday on bank fraud charges.

The case against Eliyahu Ezagui, 48, who feds say preyed on his fellow Hasidic Jews in Crown Heights, stems from a Daily News investigation last year. Ezagui enticed scores of families into buying the homes but never turned over the deeds, according to the indictment and The News’ probe.

Plan Unifying Community for Birchas Hachama Falls Through

CROWN HEIGHTS [CHI] — Efforts were made in the community to organize a large, unified Birchas Hachama ceremony in front of 770 next week, 14 Nissan 5769, April 8, 2009. However the efforts fell through due to the usual Crown Heights politics. “Yechi” or no “Yechi”.

The Rebbe ran the show last time around, some 28 years ago. There was a large, public, unified Birchas Hachama ceremony in front of 770. Eastern Pkwy was closed for traffic and Anash from far and near came with their families, to be with Rebbe at during this once in a generation Mitzvah.

Passover Price-Gouging Tolerated in Crown Heights?

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — There is a little store in Crown Heights that is doing more than everyone else. Located on the upper end of Albany Avenue, neighboring a popular string of shops including the Bentzi’s Gourmet and Mimulo Flowers; Mr Greens, popular fresh produce store is preparing for the approaching Passover Holiday in numerous way.

Apart from deliveries of thousands of pounds of romaine lettuce, used during this holiday as bitter herbs, a remembrance of the Hebrews bitter times in Egypt; Mr Greens is preparing to send over a thousand boxes of fresh produce to needy families in the Crown Heights area to alleviate some of the holiday’s financial burden. Mr Shloimie Klein, a partner of Mr Greens believes his shop is doing a small part in easing the financial turmoil that Pesach can bring.

Continued in the Extended Article.

Devorah Benjamin To Be Honored By Senator Eric Adams

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Crown Heights community activist Devorah Benjamin will be among a group of women being honored this Thursday, March 26 by State Senator Eric Adams as part of Women’s History Month.

The event will be held tomorrow, Thursday March 26, at the T-Building Auditorium of Kings County Hospital, 451 Clarkson Avenue, 2nd floor (at New York Ave). The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception at which kosher food will be served. The awards presentation will be held at 8:00 p.m.

No News from the Agriprocessors Bankruptcy Auction Could be Bad News for Postville

POSTVILLE, IA — When the beleaguered Agriprocessors meatpacking plant first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a small glimmer of hope emerged in Postville. There was an opportunity for another company to take over operations at the plant, for production to continue and for the community not to lose its largest employer.

3 Companies Bid on Agriprocessors at Auction

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — Three holding companies have submitted bids to buy various parts of Postville’s embattled kosher meat plant, a spokesman for the trustee said today.

But none of the bidders asked for the same package of equipment and assets, attorney Dan Childers said at the bankruptcy auction for Agriprocessors, Inc. Bidders are now meeting in groups to revise their proposals.

Lies and Deception at the Precinct Council Meeting

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Last night’s, Thursday’s 71st precinct council meeting was well attended with a number of Crown Heights Jewish Residents, including a large group of Bochurim from Chovevei Torah who were there following the incident where one of their classmates was injured after being hit by a brick, and approximately 15 Shomrim members. All in attendance had one concern in mind: the recent escalation of beatings and rock throwing at Jewish children.

This concern was apparently not just that of the Jewish crowd, but was also expressed by the NYPD’s top cop, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, who attended the meeting, addressing the audience. Mr. Kelly said that despite the recent downturn in the economy, crime is down citywide.

Rabbi Issued C-Summons for Giving out Alcohol

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — This past Motzoai Shabbos Parashas Beshalach, after Marriv in 770 mispalelim stepped out to recite Kiddush Levana following which a group began singing and dancing and one Rabbi, Yekutiel Rapp was giving out Lechaim, and was issues a Criminal Court Summons for distributing alcohol in the street and for possession of an open alcohol container on the street, both of which are criminal misdemeanor offences.

More in the Extended Article.

Jewish Street Patrols Curb Crime – and Generate Controversy

Hasidic groups in New York patrol religious neighborhoods in marked cars, but they occasionally clash with outside groups and even among themselves.

NEW YORK — The disheveled man looks momentarily confused. He’s wearing a puffy red coat that looks as if it was salvaged from the city dump. “Are you guys cops?” he asks.

He’s been set upon by four Hasidic Jews in the center aisle of House and Home Hardware on Flushing Avenue, a commercial strip that runs through the Hasidic section of Williamsburg in Brooklyn – a neighborhood uncanny for its resemblance to a 19th-century shtetl.

How Safe is Dry Cleaning?

The primary ‘solvent’ used by 85% of drycleaners in the United States is a chemical called perchloroethylene, or perc in short, and there have been a large number of studies conducted as to the adverse affects of this solvent can have on people wearing cloths that have been cleaned with it, and the affects it can have on the workers exposed to it, and the environment.

Sholom Rubashkin Freed On Bail!!

Family members praise decision and advocates, say justice has been served

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA [CHI] — An Iowa judge ruled that Sholom Rubashkin will be freed on bail later this week, overturning the original, unfair decision to deny him freedom based on his religious background. Advocates for Mr. Rubashkin praised the decision as a victory for equal rights and religious freedom.

“Justice prevailed today,” said Guy Cook, Mr. Rubashkin’s attorney. “Judge Reade protected this man’s constitutional rights! She made those rights come alive!”

Mr. Rubashkin will be freed on $500,000 bail this Thursday, and he must surrender his birth certificate and family passports. He also pledged not to contact a list of people related to the case and to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. The judge ruled that more extreme measures, such as armed guards or additional surety, were not necessary.

Rubashkin Still Awaiting Federal Bail Decision

Cedar Rapids, IA [KCRG] — A former executive at Postville’s Agriprocessors plant will need to wait until at least Tuesday to find out if he can leave jail.

Sholom Rubashkin faces charges of harboring illegal immigrants, document fraud, bank fraud and identity theft. The 58-year-old man was ordered jailed pending his federal trial because of fears he might flee the country.

THIS SHABBOS: A Shabbos of Unity in Crown Heights

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — In response to the recent barbaric murder of the Rebbe’s Shluchim in Mumbai, the congregation of Beis Shmuel organized a special program for Shabbos day, uniting for Chizuk and inspiration. Everyone is invited to attend this special event, to Daven, Learn and Farbreng in unity, all taking place on Shabbos day in Oholei Torah.

More in the Extended Article!