Police Comish Hosts Forum with the Community

BROOKLYN, NY [CHI] — The commissioner of the NYPD introduced a new program called the ‘Community Partnership Program’ in a gathering in the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Crown Heights Thursday, December 13th.

Residents from Crown Heights, East Flatbush and surrounding neighborhoods attended the forum, which was opened by the Hon. Ray Kelly where he introduced the new program and how it’s meant to address areas of concern and complaints that residents have with the police.

More in the Extended Article!

Police Council Meeting TONIGHT!

Tonight, Thursday November 15, at 7:30pm, there is a Police Council Meeting which is held once a month and is open to all residents to come and voice any concern or complaint they you may have to Deputy Inspector Frank Vega.

The meeting takes place in the IS 61/MS 61 (the public school) which is located on Empire and New York (diagonally across from the police station).

Make your voice heard, attend the meeting!

Vaad HaKahal Election Anticipated

As required under the bylaws of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, the terms of that organization’s board of directors—who also comprise the Vaad HaKahal—expire three years from their election, or January 30, 2008. Accordingly, the Netzigim must shortly begin preparing for a new election.

Crown Heights has, unfortunately, seen controversy in virtually every aspect of its political structure under the present administration, leading many to doubt whether a new election can take place. Among the potential obstacles are divisions within the Beis Din, which would rule on any disputes or halachic questions; the Vaad HaKahal; and the Netzigim themselves, who are charged by the bylaws with the task of conducting elections. However, Netzigim leaders insist that the scheduled election will take place as required.

71st Pct. Detective Retrieves Stolen Phone

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — A Crown Heights family is nothing but thankful to Det. Joseph LaMassa of the 71st Precincts Detective Squad. This past summer R. Y. G. and his wife were devastated to find that their new Treo cell phone had been pick pocketed while walking on Eastern Parkway.

On the phone was a number of video clips of the G’s newborn child, who’s sentimental value could not be replaced unlike the phone itself. The couple made their way of the 71st Precinct where they filed a police report and met with a detective who interviewed them regarding the incident.

More in the Extended Article!

Thank You to the NYPD’s CPU Unit

CrownHeights.info would like to give special thank to Sgt. Troise and Lt. Cantwell and the entire Community Policing Unit of the 71st Precinct for providing us the safety and protection over the past month of Elul and Tishrai, going out of their way to make sure everything is in order and their devotion to the job.

Thank You!

Shliach to Sevastopol Assaulted

SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine [CHI] — Shliach to Sevastopol, Rabbi Binyomin Wolff was assaulted over Yom Tov by a group of anti-Semites, reported the website Shturem.net.

The incident took place as Rabbi Wolff was leaving his home on his way to the nearby Shul in the neighborhood, when the group surrounded and began attacking him while using racial slurs and cursing him.

PSA: Simchas Beis Hashoeva Appeal

Dear Friends:

How wonderful it is to celebrate Simchas Beis Hashoeva together. Every night, multitudes of Crown Heights residents, plus our thousands of guests here for Yom Tov, come to rejoice in unity with true Ahavas Yisroel. On Chol Hamoed, thousands of Jews from other neighbourhoods, too, join in to enjoy the Simchas Yom Tov, which has become renowned throughout the greater New York area, making it a huge Kiddush Hashem.

Simchas Beis Hashoeva has always been very close to the Rebbe’s heart. Since the Rebbe started this tradition in 5741 (1980), he mentioned it in every Sicha that he spoke every night of Sukos – another tradition he started that year. He continued mentioning these celebrations in his Sukos Sichos every year until 5752 (1991), demanding that everyone, without exception, participate, and often he asked for reports about the Simcha Beis Hashoeva celebrations.

Bais Rivka to Begin Regular School Schedule, Monday

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] – It was a turbulent opening for the Bais Rivka Elementary Division this school year, but as it seems that now some of those issues are behind us and parents can breath easier for school begins its normal course starting tomorrow, Monday.

English studies will resume and school will go on until normal dismissal times, with regular bus services, CrownHeights.info has learned.

More in the Extended Article.

The Tragic ‘Selection’ at Todays Yeshivos

The renowned Chabad writer, Rabbi Yehoshua Dubrowsky published a bitter article in the Yiddish Newspaper, Der Algemeiner Journal, condemning the tragic ‘selections’ made when enrolling students in Chabad yeshivas in the U.S.

“How can we face the philanthropists Reb Lev Leviev and Mr. George Rohr who have been granting millions to Chabad in order to bring non-observant children closer to religion, while, at the same time affluent Chabadniks do not cover the budgets of our own yeshivas so that all students may be accepted willingly.

The entire article can be read (in Yiddish) in the Extended Article!

The education topic has come up on CrownHeights.info a few times in a few different shapes and forms, ranging from tuition to this very topic. Readers are welcome to voice their opinion once again in the Comment System.

A Note on Crossing the Street!

Recently, as I was returning from the Mikvah on Shabbos morning, I was struck by a car. By the Grace of Hashem, I suffered no injuries. I crossed the street at the intersection of Troy and Eastern Parkway with the light in my favor and I was attentive to all cars.

The driver who hit me was making a left-hand turn onto Eastern Parkway and was definitely not paying to attention to my position. While I doubt that he deliberately chose to knock me over, he was certainly distracted. Perhaps he was on a cell-phone or thought that he could make the turn without striking a pedestrian who was clearly three quarters of the way across the street.

Continued in the Extended Article!

Unity In Anash? Check This Out!!

In honor of Gimmel Tammuz, an ambitious campaign has been launched to strengthen and encourage Achdus and Ahavas Yisrael among Chassidim. Powerful and simple, the concept was designed to be neutral, clear and permeated with UNITY!

Full flyer in the Extended Article!