HAPPENING TOMORROW Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr. FREE Movie Under The Stars Night

 

Lights, Camera, Action!

Friends, please join me and Team JZ TOMORROW, Saturday, August 15, 2026 for a Movie Under the Stars event featuring the 2025 children's favorite How to Train Your Dragon.

 

This event is FREE to the public. 

• When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 TOMORROW
• Where: Loreto Playground  (1111 Van Nest Ave. )
• Time: Movie will begin at approximately 8:00pm

I'm looking forward to seeing you all there to enjoy a fantastic night under the stars with friends and family. 

 

Yours Truly,

John Zaccaro, Jr.

 

VCJC News & Notes 8/14/2026

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Shabbos schedule

Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.

Here are the times you need:  

Shabbos Candles Friday 8/14/26 @ 7:37 pm

Shabbos Ends Saturday 8/15/26 @ 8:40 pm

If you require an aliyah or would like to lead services, read from the torah or haftorah, please speak to one of the gabbaim.

Our enhanced kiddush has been a popular hit.  This week’s is sponsored by Benzion Panush to mark his retirement.  Come wish him a Mazel Tov! Join us for services and stay to enjoy the kiddush and the company.

Shabbos parsha

Parashat Shoftim

This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Shoftim (read on 15 August 2026).

Shoftim (“Judges”) discusses guidelines of leadership, opening with a command to appoint judges and continuing to detail laws of kings, priests, and prophets. It also describes laws relating to cities of refuge for accidental killers, false witnesses, warfare, and the rite performed in a case of unsolved murder. [1]

Reminders and Announcements

1. Garage Sale and Ice Cream Social, August 30
   On Sunday, August 30, we will be having a combined Garage Sale and Ice Cream Social.  
   Garage Sale: 10 AM to 4 PM. No admission charge. A wide variety of items from furniture to sports equipment to toys to collectibles and more!
   
   
   Ice Cream Social: 2 PM to 5 PM. No admission charge. Come enjoy some ice cream, on us, and socialize with your friends and neighbors.
   
   
   50/50 Raffle: Participate throughout the day.  Winning tickets will be drawn at 4:30 PM.
   
   
   Vote for your flavor! Five of the favorites will be served. Vote by:

   • phone (718) 884-6105

   • email: info@vcjewishcenter.org

   • mail: Van Cortlandt Jewish Center, 3880 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463

   • in person: Drop off a note at the synagogue office.

     Deadline to vote: 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
     
     

2. Save the date: Kristallnacht observance and lecture, Sunday Nov. 6

   
   

   The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center will be holding its annual Kristallnacht Commemoration Program with speaker Larry Hartstein.  More info to follow. 

   
   

3. What works for you?
   Please Help Us Plan for Events
   We have created a survey, Van Cortlandt Jewish Center Community Event Planning Survey, to help us set the direction for our activities.  We’d really appreciate your taking a few minutes to fill it in. Here’s the link: SURVEY
   
   

4. The VCJC Chavurah
   The VCJC Chavurah meets every Tuesday Night at 7:30 PM.  All are welcome to join us as we continue to learn together.

   No cost to attend and no prior experience is needed.

   If you are interested in learning torah with a group of fellow members of your community, but want more details, contact the VCJC office at 718-884-6105 or info@vcjewishcenter.org, or speak to Stuart Harris or Matthew Hartstein after davening on Shabbat morning.
   
   

5. VCJC Merch!

   We now have merchandise available with the VCJC logo and, in some cases, sayings.  We have shirts, hats, mugs, refrigerator magnets, and tote bags. These are provided through a Print On Demand (POD) model - so you pick what you like and order it.  It is then made to order and shipped directly to you.
   You can see an overview and some additional information on our VCJC Shop page.  You can go directly to the store itself to see all the things available, select sizes and colors, and get ready to flaunt your association with VCJC.

   
   

6. VCJC is now active on social media - follow us!
   We have launched both a Facebook page and an Instagram page.  Both have a nice amount of content already and we are planning both regular posts and a greater variety going forward.  Please take a look and follow us! Links are below.

   
   

7. You can do it! Give VCJC a boost!  Leave a (positive) review for us on Google
   -->You can do this!  We know you can! YES, YOU!

   The VCJC is working to build and grow for its next century in Van Cortlandt Village.  If you have had a good experience with us or recognize our value to the community, please consider telling the world about it.  Go to our Google Business Profile and leave a review.  Thanks!  

Please help with information about buildings

As part of rebuilding the membership and congregation, the Board of Trustees would like your help. There are a lot of either new or renovated buildings being put up in our catchment area. We would like to seek the cooperation of the owners / developers of those properties in publicizing these opportunities to live near an orthodox synagogue.  If you are aware of any of these buildings, please provide what information you can about them.  This could include the address, any contact information that might be posted, and any information about the building itself (size, type, etc.). Additionally, if you are aware of vacancies in existing buildings or of houses for sale, please let us know about that as well.

Our mailing address is:
Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
3880 Sedgwick Ave
Bronx, NY 10463

Plattsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy

 

Deontae Alexander, age 39, of Plattsburgh, New York, pled guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, more commonly referred to as “MDMA” or “ecstasy.” 

Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam and Northern District of New York's First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Alexander admitted that on April 21, 2026, he agreed with Djosaha Azulphar to sell approximately 3.3 kilograms of MDMA to an individual who, unbeknownst to Azulphar, was an informant with the DEA. That day, Azulphar met the informant in Plattsburgh, NY. Alexander remained at a gas station across the street from the meeting, holding a backpack that contained approximately 3.3 kilograms of MDMA that was to be distributed to the informant. Alexander left the gas station with the MDMA and entered the nearby woods where he hid the backpack containing the MDMA near a tree. Approximately two hours later, Alexander returned to the woods and retrieved the backpack from where he had hidden it, though unbeknownst to him, DEA had already located the backpack and replaced the MDMA with rocks. When confronted by DEA, Alexander threw the backpack and attempted to run but was taken into custody.

“This guilty plea by Deontae Alexander is another example of the DEA’s unwavering commitment to disrupting those who seek to profit from the distribution of dangerous synthetic drugs in our communities,” said DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “Alexander attempted to distribute more than three kilograms of MDMA and took deliberate steps to conceal the narcotics in an effort to evade law enforcement. Thanks to the outstanding work of our DEA team, this dangerous supply of illicit drugs was intercepted before it could reach our streets. The DEA New York Enforcement Division remains steadfast in identifying, investigating, and dismantling drug trafficking organizations and hold those individuals who fuel the illegal drug trade fully accountable.”

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone said, “As a result of this plea, Alexander now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for his role in trafficking illicit narcotics. Working alongside our partners at the DEA, the United States Attorney’s Office remains firmly committed to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting anyone who seeks to profit from distributing dangerous drugs in our communities. Those who choose to push illicit narcotics into our neighborhoods will face serious federal consequences.”

At sentencing, Alexander faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Azulphar has pled not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial on August 24, 2026. Azulphar is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the DEA. 

ICE Lodges Detainer for Illegal Alien Charged with Rape, Human Trafficking, and Sexual Abuse While Working as a Landlord in Kentucky

 

This previously-deported criminal illegal alien was previously convicted of driving under the influence

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer asking Kentucky officials to not release a criminal illegal alien charged with rape, human trafficking, and sexual abuse while working as a landlord.

According to local reporting, police in Louisville arrested the suspect, Rolando Cenobio Vasquez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, on July 29. Vasquez had been renting out a room to a mother and her 15-year-old daughter when he began abusing the teenager in December 2025. He reportedly committed acts of sexual violence while threatening both the child and her family, and even occasionally offering money to the victim to keep quiet about the assaults.

Rolando Cenobio Vasquez

Vasquez has been charged with THREE counts of rape, THREE counts of sodomy, human trafficking, promoting human trafficking with a victim under 18, and sexual abuse. His criminal history includes a prior conviction for driving under the influence of liquor. ICE lodged a detainer with the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on the same day he was arrested.

“This criminal illegal alien from Mexico has been charged with rape, human trafficking, sexual abuse, and other horrific crimes after he allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl while he was renting out a room to the girl and her mother,” said a DHS Spokesperson. “ICE has lodged a detainer asking officials in Louisville, Kentucky to not release this criminal from jail, and to hand him over to ICE custody so he can be removed from our country. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE has been unleashed to go after dangerous illegal aliens like this one so that we can make America safe again.”

Vasquez first illegally entered the United States through Texas in August 2013. He was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol and deported back to Mexico. He then illegally re-entered the United States at an unknown date and location.

Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Harvey Epstein Announce Fall Slate of Animal Welfare Caucus Programming

 

Events Include Adoption Pop-Ups, Vaccination Clinics, Pet Food Pantries, and Emergency Preparedness Workshops

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Harvey Epstein, Co-chair of the Council’s Animal Welfare Caucus, announced a slate of fall programming promoting responsible pet ownership and affordable pet services. The series kicked off over the weekend with a mobile adoption event in East New York with Council Member Chris Banks alongside Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC).

Events are spread across the five boroughs and include adoption events, vaccination clinics, pet food pantries, and service animal preparedness workshops.

The programming is being organized by the Council’s Animal Welfare Caucus, which was established in March 2026 by Speaker Menin to improve the quality of life for animals and the New Yorkers who care for them. Led by Council Member Epstein, the Caucus works to advocate for the humane treatment of animals and advance legislation that makes pet ownership more affordable.

“Every New Yorker who welcomes an animal into their life deserves access to affordable, reliable care, and that’s exactly what this fall’s programming delivers,” said Speaker Menin. “From mobile adoption fairs to vaccination clinics, our fall program is meant to meet pet owners where they are, across the five boroughs to bring access to essential pet needs closer to your door. I am grateful to Council Member Epstein for leading this initiative, and thank you to our partners across the animal welfare community for bringing this programming to life.”

“Every New Yorker should be able to care for their pets, regardless of their income, and that means making sure families have access to the food, veterinary care, and resources they need,” said Council Member Epstein. “I’m excited to help lead the implementation of these programs, and I am grateful to the Speaker for her leadership in improving access to essential resources for pets across the city. Alongside adoption events and other community-based efforts, these investments will help keep pets healthy, keep families together, and give more animals the loving homes they deserve.”

The full list of events, through the end of the year, is listed below:

August

  Aug. 8: Animal Care Centers Mobile Pet Adoption with Council Member Chris Banks, Brooklyn
  Aug. 16: Positive Tails Vaccine & Wellness Clinic, Brooklyn

September

  Sept. 19: Animal Care Centers Mobile Pet Adoption with Council Member Harvey Epstein, Manhattan
  Sept. 24: Community Cat Shelter Building Class, Queens
  Sept. 27: NYCEM Annual Pet & Service Animal Preparedness Fair, Manhattan
  Sept. 27: Animal Care Centers Mobile Pet Adoption with Council Member Shaun Abreu, Manhattan

October

  Oct. 4: LIC Feral Feeders Pawp Up Adoption Event, Queens
  Oct. 11: Mobile Pet Adoption with the ASPCA, ACC and Council Member Linda Lee, Queens
  Oct. 15: City Hall Chamber Event, Manhattan
  Oct.17: PuppyKittyNYC Adoption Event, Queens

November

  Nov. 13: Volunteer Day, PuppyKitty NYC, Queens

December

  Dec. (Date TBD): Positive Tails Vaccine & Wellness Clinic, the Bronx

MANHATTAN D.A., DOI COMMISS. ANNOUNCE INDICTMENT OF FORMER IBO EMPLOYEE FOR COMPUTER TRESPASS, FILE THEFT

 

Monserate Fernandez, Former Head of IT for Independent Budget Office, Allegedly Illegally Downloaded More Than 4K Files

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., and NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata announced the indictment of MONSERATE FERNANDEZ for allegedly abusing his access as the former Chief Information Officer (“CIO”) for the NYC Independent Budget Office (“IBO”) to illegally download more than 4,000 files after his position was terminated. FERNANDEZ is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Burglary in the Third Degree, Unauthorized Use of a Computer, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree. [1] “

IT professionals working for city agencies are charged with safeguarding the City’s sensitive information and files. Instead, we allege, the former head of IT for the Independent Budget Office downloaded thousands of files to a USB drive that he took home,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank DOI for its ongoing partnership in rooting out fraud and corruption in our city.” 

DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata said, "As charged, this former City IT manager allegedly abused his position by unlawfully gaining entry to a building he was no longer authorized to be in and downloading more than 4,000 files of sensitive data he had no authority to possess. This alleged conduct is a serious breach of trust and a misappropriation of confidential government information. I thank the City's Independent Budget Office for reporting these serious misconduct allegations to DOI and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for its partnership in helping to protect City data."

FERNANDEZ served as the CIO for IBO until he was terminated on January 17, 2025, after IBO’s IT infrastructure and maintenance was migrated to the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation. He was informed that he was no longer authorized to use any of IBO’s physical or virtual resources, and his account, employee profile, and remote access were deactivated. The physical locks to the server room and the rear entrance of the office space were also changed.

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, on January 24, 2025, at approximately 8 p.m., FERNANDEZ illegally entered the office and used a local administrator account to access two computers. He allegedly downloaded more than 4,000 files from IBO’s server to a USB storage drive, which was later found – pursuant to a court-authorized search warrant – in his home in Queens.

D.A. Bragg thanked DOI Senior Confidential Investigator Farhana Begum and DOI Executive Director for Law Enforcement Technology Erskine Fleming. 

1 The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

Partnerships for Parks - Free Networking Workshop with TD, Job Opportunity, and More

 

Building your Network: Making Connections to Activate Parks

Looking for connections to grow your efforts in local parks? Interested in strategies for networking? There's still time to register for our evening workshop on best practices for building a network with experts from TD!  You’ll have the opportunity to share strategies for overcoming common challenges, learn insights from peers, and be inspired by the breadth of programming taking place across the city. Participants will be entered into a raffle for prizes as well!

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m.

Queens Public Library

37-44 21st St., Long Island City, NY 11101

Register Here

NYC Parks Volunteer Group Directory

Do you lead a community group dedicated to parks? Looking to increase visibility and attract new volunteers? Add your group to NYC Parks’ volunteer group directory! Being listed in the NYC Parks’ volunteer directory shows that you are an active partner with NYC Parks which can help your group leverage more resources and advocate more effectively for your park and community. You will also become part of an online citywide map of NYC Parks' community partners!

The volunteer directory is part of the Vital Parks for All initiative, NYC Parks’ plan to protect existing park facilities, equitably deliver new resources to underserved communities, and equip New Yorkers with information to enjoy, celebrate, and support our parks!  

Add Your Group Now

We're Hiring! 

Partnerships for Parks, a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, is the largest community engagement program for local parks in New York City. We are currently hiring a Research and Development Fellow for the NYC Green Fund Grassroots grant program, which provides funding support to grassroots organizations dedicated to parks and open spaces in all five boroughs. This is a great opportunity for graduate students and professionals interested in urban placemaking, city planning, education, public administration, management, or related fields.

Learn More and Apply Now

Partnerships for Parks is a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks that supports and champions a growing network of leaders caring and advocating for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people and organizations with the skills and tools needed to ensure these spaces are dynamic community assets.

Two Convicted Felons Charged With Possession of Ammunition in Connection With Broad Daylight Shooting in Brooklyn

Defendants Allegedly Engaged in a Midday Shootout in a Brooklyn Bodega 

A criminal complaint was unsealed charging Jonathan Arboleda and Wilson Martinez with being felons in possession of ammunition relating to a July 21, 2026 gunfight in the East New York section of Brooklyn.  Martinez was arrested and made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.  Arboleda is currently in state custody at Rikers Island and will be arraigned at a later date.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrests and charges.

“As alleged, these defendants are convicted felons who engaged in a dangerous gunfight in a Brooklyn bodega in broad daylight, endangering the lives of numerous citizens,” said United States Attorney Nocella.  “Both defendants have multiple prior felony convictions.  Despite repeated encounters with our criminal justice system, each defendant chose to return to the streets to engage in a brazen act of violence.  This arrests demonstrate our continued commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to combat gun violence and hold accountable those who illegally possess firearms and ammunition and endanger our communities.”

“The shootout at the Brooklyn bodega was a blatant act of violence allegedly carried out by two convicted felons whose actions created an immediate and unacceptable threat to the community.  This kind of violent criminal behavior is exactly why the FBI remains firmly committed to removing dangerous offenders from our streets and protecting the American public,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“As alleged in the complaint, Jonathan Arboleda and Wilson Martinez recklessly put countless lives at risk when they opened fire on each other in broad daylight inside a Brooklyn bodega,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “The NYPD remains focused on working with our law enforcement partners to go after guns and hold the perpetrators of gun violence accountable. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and our NYPD officers for their diligent work to take these criminals off our streets.”

As alleged in the criminal complaint and other court filings, on July 21, 2026, at approximately 1:30pm, Martinez entered a bodega store in East New York and immediately pulled out a firearm and started shooting at Arboleda from close range.  Surveillance video footage shows Martinez pulling a gun from his waistband and opening fire while bodega employees were within feet of him and in the line of fire of his 9mm bullets.  Arboleda then fired shots back at Martinez from the back area of the bodega and ran into the middle of a crowded street while raising his firearm and pointing it at Martinez’s car as it drove away.  Arboleda was apprehended at the scene bleeding from gunshot wounds to his right arm and abdomen.  

Law enforcement recovered multiple spent shell casings and a live round of ammunition on the floor of the bodega.  Both defendants have prior felony convictions that prohibit them from possessing firearms or ammunition.  

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, each defendant faces up to 15 years in prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  As part of the program, U.S. Attorney’s Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.