COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Community Highlights  

Flatbush Mourns the Petirah of Rabbi Yisroel Pinchas Gornish, Zt”l

The petirah of Rabbi Yisroel Pinchas Gornish, zt”l, last month saddened the Flatbush community. For more than four decades, with the assistance of his Rebbetzin, shetichye, Rabbi Gornish was a source of chizuk for many Jews in numerous gashmiyus  and ruchniyus matters. As Rav of Khal Chizuk Hadas-Radichov on Avenue O, Rabbi Gornish inspired many of his mispallilim to upgrade their level of Torah observance. For the past two decades, his shul  hosted a yeshivah and kollel, to which he devoted countless hours delivering shiurim. Rabbi Gornish’s contributions to enhanced kashrus and mikvaos development and supervision was appreciated by many in our community. 

New York Community Hospital Union with Maimonides Medical Center  

The Certificate of Need (CON) application that will result in the New York Community Hospital (NYCH) to become a subsidiary of Maimonides Medical Center has been approved by the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council. Even before the approval for the merger, Maimonides physicians from various specialties already began to provide services to patients at NYCH. This creates a union of the 134-bed acute care at NYCH (founded in 1929) located in the Midwood and Madison neighborhoods with the 711 bed Maimonides Medical Center (founded in 1911) that is itself an affiliate of Northwell Health.

Special Timeless Insights for Women from Connections Worldwide Teleconference

Thousands of women and girls around the world are gaining timeless insights from renowned speakers from the Connections Worldwide Teleconference. To access chizuk, you can call (917) 924-9900 and hear divrei brachah anytime from Rav Avraham Chaim Feurer along with powerful insights from Mrs. Chana Toby Friedman, renowned author; Mrs. Raizy Stern LCSW, experienced Torah-based psychologist; Mrs. Chaya Miriam Jaroslowitz, beloved principal in Brooklyn; and Rebbetzin Tehilla Abramov, noted author and lecturer.

COJO Addresses Martial Difficulties Due to COVID-19 With Project Courage 

The difficulties of COVID-19  have resulted in marital relationship difficulties for many families in our community. In response, COJO of Flatbush has launched Project Courage,  a weekly support group for women suffering from marital problems. The support group provides comfort and support from other women, facilitated by a licensed and experienced professional, to help facilitate new possibilities and progress in life. To participate, call (929) 242-2002, conference ID #2005 and participant pin 1818.

Mrs. Perry Binet Appointed Principal of the Hamaspik School

The directors of the Hamaspik school for girls and boys with down syndrome ages five and up are pleased to appoint Mrs. Perry Binet, MS Ed, as the new principal of their brand-new state-of-the-art building located in Williamsburg. Mrs. Binet brings to her new position 15 years as a highly experienced special educator who combines a wealth of knowledge and skill with professionalism, positivity, and passion. The Hamaspik offers full English, Yiddish and skills-based curriculum.

Met Council on Jewish Poverty Hosts 2021 Mayoral Candidate Forum

Met Council, the largest Jewish charity fighting poverty in New York, hosted a 2021 mayoral candidate forum with the theme of “Recovering after COVID-19” on April 26. David Greenfield, CEO of Met Council on Jewish Poverty, declared that the aim of the forum was to “give New York City voters an opportunity to understand each candidate’s platform on issues of poverty, hunger, homelessness, and other crises we have only seen worsen during the pandemic.” The event was moderated by POLITICO City Hall Bureau Chief Sally Goldenberg.

Pinny Ringel Promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Mayor’s CAU

Pinny Ringel, who has served since 2014 as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s liaison to the Jewish community, has been promoted to the post of Assistant Commissioner for the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (CAU). The position maintains the fundamental connection between City Hall and residents of the Big Apple throughout the five boroughs, and its primary mission is to establish deep partnerships with communities to actively engage and mobilize New Yorkers in city government. Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein praised the promotion, declaring that “Pinny is a true New Yorker who understands how to communicate and work with New York’s many diverse communities.”

NYC Housing Agencies Accused of Discriminating Against Orthodox Families

Last month, Chaim and Chana Katz, represented by lawyer Justin Kelton, filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court against the New York City Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Housing Development Corporation for religious discrimination. The Katz’s were constantly rejected from the affordable housing lottery on the basis that the two adults and six children had “too many members” in their family. Kelton told the Associated Press, “It is extremely upsetting, as you can imagine, to think that you’re being discriminated against because of your fervent, deep religious belief in having a large family.”

Jewish Community Mourns the Petirah of Reb Aaron Yochanan Fleishman, z”l

The petirah of Reb Aaron Yochanan Fleishman, z”l, long-time coordinator of Hatzolah of Boro Park, has saddened the Brooklyn community. R’ Fleishman was appreciated for his decades of leadership and selflessness. A devoted Belzer chassid, his day job was as a cook in the Belzer camp and as a bus driver for various Belzer mosdos.

 Senators Felder and Kaminsky Secure $55K for OHEL 

Senators Simcha Felder and Todd Kaminsky secured $55,000 for Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services in this year’s state budget, as well as the full restoration of planned funding cuts from the State’s Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for reimbursements to group homes and other organizations that provide services to New Yorkers.

 “I am delighted to work together with Senator Kaminsky to support OHEL. A trusted name for decades, OHEL is often the first call in a crisis. During this very difficult time, we are so grateful for their work. I am very pleased that we were able to restore the OPWDD funding that is vital to the care and well-being of people with special needs. With these funds OHEL will continue to help so many New Yorkers in need,” said Senator Felder. This year’s state budget included a proposed 23 percent cut in funding for care coordinator organization services for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Kaminsky and Felder fought for a full restoration of this funding to support New York’s vulnerable populations.