VCJC News & Notes 5/1/2026

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!

Reminders

1. 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 5/1/26 @ 7:34 pm
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 5/2/26 @ 8:38 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.

   Kiddush this week sponsored by Benzi Panush in honor of the birth and bris of his great nephew

   
   

   Come join us for services and stay to enjoy the kiddush and the company.

   
   

2. About our new kiddushim
   Reminder that kiddush now takes place in the ballroom. There is a greater variety of food, which can be enjoyed while seated at covered tables. Our aim is to offer a more enjoyable and meaningful experience, and to encourage conversation and interaction among attendees. This is an evolving effort. It has received very positive reviews so far; we’d love to have your opinion as well. Please join us for services and kiddush, and let us know what you think!

   
   

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 will be meeting every Tuesday Night at 7:30PM.  All are welcome to join us as we continue to learn Tractate Berachot 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. Shabbos parsha

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Parashat Emor 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת אֱמוֹר

   2 May 2026 / 15 Iyyar 5786

   Parashat Emor is the 31st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.

   Torah Portion: Leviticus 21:1-24:23

   Emor (“Say”) opens with laws regulating priestly behavior, working in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and consuming sacrifices and priestly food. It describes the biblical holidays of Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, and ends with a story about a blasphemer and his punishment. [1]

   
   

6. Lag B’Omer is May 5

   
   

   One reason given for the holiday is as the day of passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Modern Jewish tradition links the holiday to the Bar Kokhba Revolt against the Roman Empire (132-135 CE). In Israel, it is celebrated as a symbol for the fighting Jewish spirit.
   

7. Mazal Tov!
   

   The VCJC wishes a heartfelt Mazal Tov to Benzi Panush and the entire Panush family on the birth of a grand nephew.
   

8. 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!

   
   

9. 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 

Leading Dark Web Marketplace Creator and Operator Extradited from Colombia to the United States

 

A German national living in Colombia was extradited to the United States on charges that he owned and operated “The Versus Project,” an online dark web marketplace that enabled its over 380,000 registered users to buy and sell illegal goods.

The Versus Project, also known as Versus, was a leading dark web marketplace that enabled users to buy and sell illegal goods, including heroin and other illicit drugs, stolen and fraudulent identification documents and access devices, counterfeit currency, malware, and hacking tools. Versus operated from about November 2019 through about May 2022. During that time, Versus had over 380,000 registered users, offered over 32,000 product listings and facilitated over 300,000 completed orders, resulting in millions of dollars’ worth of transactions.

According to court documents, Patrick Schmitz, 37, of Taganga, Colombia, was a cofounder of Versus and handled the day-to-day management, such as responding to user tickets for assistance with issues on the platform, reviewing vendor applications, and resolving disputes between vendors and customers. Over time, Schmitz recruited and supervised staff who worked on Versus and reported to him. Schmitz also promoted Versus on the dark web, recruited vendors, and developed strategies to monetize Versus. Schmitz received a portion of the profits generated and his virtual currency wallets transacted in cryptocurrency worth millions of dollars.

“This extradition demonstrates the strength of the Justice Department’s international partnerships, and our ability to identify dark web criminals running platforms engaging in such widespread and varied illegal conduct,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Versus Project allowed thousands of criminals to endanger the American people with heroin, illegal drugs, and tools for fraud and hacking. Although Versus hid on the dark web, this announcement demonstrates that Versus was not beyond the reach of the Justice Department and its international partners. Illegal online criminal marketplaces, no matter where they are located, will be targeted and brought down.”

“The indictment makes clear that law enforcement will shine a bright light on criminal conduct on the dark web,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey. “We will investigate and prosecute those who seek to use the anonymity of the dark web to profit from the sale of illegal goods. No matter how many monikers a user hides behind or where in the world they are, we will use all legal means to find them and bring them to justice.”

“HSI Newark’s unwavering efforts led to the identification, arrest, and extradition of a key international cybercriminal, significantly disrupting a major illicit online marketplace,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark Field Office. “This action underscores the dedication of HSI and our partners to combating cyber-enabled crime and ensuring individuals who exploit the internet for illegal activities are held accountable.”

Versus was modeled after an e-commerce website. Users could choose a username and password to create a free account to access Versus. Users could then search for products by keyword or scroll through listings by category. The categories of products on Versus included “drugs,” “fraud,” “digital items,” “services,” and “software & malware.”

Versus required its users to transact in digital currencies, including Bitcoin and Monero, and did not allow for transactions in fiat currencies. Versus and its users were therefore able to bypass traditional financial systems, which collect information about their customers and maintain anti-money laundering and fraud programs. Versus generated revenue through multiple methods, including by keeping a percentage of each completed transaction as a commission and vendors were required to pay penalties if they were found to have violated Versus’ rules.

In June 2024, Schmitz was arrested in Colombia pursuant to a U.S. provisional arrest request. On April 29, Schmitz was extradited to the United States was arraigned, and was ordered detained pending trial.

Schmitz is charged with one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison; one count of narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison; one count of conspiracy to import controlled substances, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; one count of distribution of controlled substances by means of the internet, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; one count of use of a communications facility, which carries a maximum penalty of 4 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to unlawfully transfer an identification document, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison; and one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison.

The investigation was led by HSI Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy. Valuable support was provided by the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeff Berkebile, and the IRS- Criminal Investigation Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan. The Justice Department’s Office of the Judicial Attache in Bogota, Colombia, and the Policía Nacional de Colombia provided valuable assistance concerning Schmitz’s provisional arrest and extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the United States Marshals Service also provided valuable assistance in securing Schmitz’s arrest and extradition.

Trial Attorneys Jorge Gonzalez and Stefanie Schwartz of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the Cybercrime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting this case.

This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This is also the latest in the Justice Department’s ongoing JCODE efforts (Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement) to address the growing number of illicit vendors operating on the darknet providing large quantities of harmful substances to thousands of people across the United States. The Justice Department established the FBI-led JCODE team to lead and coordinate government efforts to detect, disrupt and dismantle major criminal enterprises reliant on the darknet for trafficking opioids and other illicit narcotics, along with identifying and dismantling their supply chains.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Activist Biden Judge Releases Violent Criminal Illegal Alien Wanted for Murder

 

Bryan Rafael Gomez is wanted in the Dominican Republic for murder and has been arrested in the U.S. for assault and battery

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after an activist judge appointed by Joe Biden released a violent criminal illegal alien who is wanted for murder in the Dominican Republic.

On January 24, 2023, the Coordination of the Courts of Instruction of the National District of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, issued a criminal arrest warrant for Bryan Rafael Gomez for homicide.

Bryan Rafael Gomez

On April 4, 2026, the Worcester Police Department arrested Gomez, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, for assault and battery. The detainer was honored, and after he was released on $500 bail, ICE arrested Gomez.

On April 28, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose–who was appointed in the final days of the Biden administration–ordered Gomez’s release.

“Bryan Rafael Gomez is a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic with an international warrant for homicide,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “An activist judge appointed by Joe Biden released this wanted murderer back into American communities. This is yet another example of an activist judge trying to thwart President Trump’s mandate from the American people to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS will continue to fight for the removal of criminal illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country.”

Gomez entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near Lukeville, Arizona. He was then released by the Biden administration.

Governor Hochul Announces YMCA of Long Island Selected to Build and Operate Elmont Community Center at Newly Identified Site

Project Will Transform Currently Vacant and Underutilized Property into Neighborhood Resource for Families, Youth and Seniors

Supports Acquisition With $2.5 Million Grant Administered by DASNY

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the selection of the YMCA of Long Island to design, construct, operate and maintain a new community center associated with the Belmont Park Redevelopment Project. The facility will be located at 570 Elmont Road in Elmont, adjacent to the Elmont Memorial High School. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, Empire State Development, UBS Arena & NY Islanders and the YMCA negotiated an agreement to deliver a new community space that exceeds the original commitments of the Belmont Park redevelopment project’s General Project Plan. Following feedback from community members, local elected officials and stakeholders, the parties identified an off-site location that is more accessible and convenient for the Elmont community. The project will transform a currently vacant and underutilized property into a neighborhood resource for families, youth and seniors.

“New Yorkers made a commitment to deliver a community space in Elmont as part of the Belmont Park redevelopment, and today we are taking an important step to fulfill that promise for its residents,” Governor Hochul said. “By working closely with community members and local leaders, we identified a site that is more accessible and better suited to serve families, seniors and young people for generations to come.”

The General Project Plan for the Belmont Park redevelopment included a community space of at least 10,000 square feet. The facility was originally planned for the Belmont Park campus, but after extensive community engagement, Empire State Development approved an alternative off-site location within Elmont. The YMCA of Long Island has signed a contract to purchase the property and plans to demolish the existing vacant structure and construct a new, approximately 18,000-square-foot community center. To support the acquisition of the site, Governor Hochul provided $2.5 million in State capital funding administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). The facility is expected to offer programming and services for children, teens, seniors and families, with final program details to be determined in coordination with local stakeholders. Closing on the property took place on April 30, 2026, with demolition, design and construction of the new community facility expected to follow.

The YMCA of Long Island currently operates five centers across Nassau and Suffolk counties in Glen Cove, Huntington, Patchogue, Great South Bay and East Hampton. The Elmont facility will be the organization’s first center in southwest Nassau County and will expand access to youth, family and senior programming in the surrounding communities.

The community center is part of the broader Belmont Park redevelopment, which includes UBS Arena, the Belmont Park Village retail development, a new parking structure, improvements to local parks and the new Elmont Long Island Rail Road station. 

Defendant Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Attempting to Obstruct a Federal Drug Trafficking Investigation

 

Julian Gonzalez Tried to Destroy Cell Phone at JFK Airport After Learning Law Enforcement Had A Warrant to Search It

Julian Gonzalez was sentenced by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II to 57 months’ imprisonment for attempted obstruction of justice.  Gonzalez was convicted of this crime following a one-week jury trial in October 2024.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentence.

“Gonzalez was convicted at trial of intentionally trying to destroy evidence during an ongoing criminal investigation into his narcotics trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “The jury’s verdict and this sentence make clear that those who think they are above the law, seek to undermine our judicial system, and obstruct law enforcement will be prosecuted and held accountable.”

“Julian Gonzalez attempted to interfere with a federal investigation and destroy evidence linking him to drug trafficking in New York City,” stated FBI Assistant in Charge Barnacle.  “This sentencing represents the FBI’s commitment to hold accountable individuals who try to conceal their crimes from law enforcement.”

During an investigation into Gonzalez’s drug trafficking and distribution of cocaine throughout New York City, the FBI obtained a judicially authorized warrant to seize and search his cell phone for evidence of criminal activity.  On March 17, 2023, Gonzalez arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, aboard an international flight.  Shortly after he landed, FBI agents met Gonzalez, identified themselves, and provided Gonzalez with the search warrant for his phone.  Initially, Gonzalez reluctantly unlocked his phone and gave it to the agents.  The agents then began looking through the phone and photographing Gonzalez’s Signal messages that appeared to relate to drug trafficking, including the sale of one kilogram of cocaine for approximately $20,000.

Shortly after handing his phone to the FBI agents, and while the agents were conducting their preliminary search, Gonzalez asked to use his phone to call his wife.  When the agents handed the phone back to Gonzalez, Gonzalez slammed the phone on the ground, causing significant damage. 

 

WANNA VOLUNTEER? 

Look for our May Volunteer Events email! 

Pinkster Festival

Saturday, May 2 - 12pm to 4pm

Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Pinkster at this year’s Pinkster Festival hosted by the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Van Cortlandt House Museum, and Kingsbridge Historical Society. Join us for a day filled with vibrant festivities, live music, engaging performances, and immersive experiences.

RSVP Now

Van Cortlandt House Museum

 

Super Seedlings

Saturdays, May 2, 9, 16 - 10am to 12pm

Play and plant with your little one! Super Seedlings is a FREE, drop-in gardening program for kids ages 3-7 and their caregivers. Explore a fun and fabulous theme at each session with nature crafts, planting, soil digging, and more! Come once, twice, or all five weeks for some playing and planting! 

RSVP Now

VCPA Learning Garden

Caribeando with Juan Usera and the Sambuco Tribe

Saturday, May 9 - 2pm to 4pm

Caribeando features live music highlighting traditional Caribbean rhythms and dances including bomba, plena, guaracha, and changüí. Led by master percussionist Juan Usera,  an Afro-Puerto Rican artist and culture-bearer whose work is deeply rooted in the traditional African-based dance forms of Bomba and Plena. Watch! Learn! Join in! 

RSVP Now

Enslaved Burial Ground

Van Cortlandt Nature Group Walks

Monday, May 11 at 9:30am - Meets in Riverdale Stables parking lot

Saturday, May 30 at 9:30am - Meets in front of Nature Center

Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing.

Register for 5/11 Walk

Register for 5/30 Walk

 

Birding with NYC Bird Alliance

Saturday, May 16 - Meet at 9am

Explore Van Cortlandt Park’s ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. Each walk will be led by a NYC Bird Alliance guide.

RSVP Required

Van Cortlandt Nature Center

 

Springtime Shindig

Wednesday May, 27 - 6pm to 9pm

This year we are celebrating the stellar team that facilitated an important milestone in the growth of Van Cortlandt Park Alliance… we have finalized our first license agreement with NYC Parks. We will also celebrate our friends at Riverdale Main Streets Alliance (RMSA), a local nonprofit that supports and volunteers in the park, beautifying the garden at 261st Street.

Tickets, Journal Ads and Sponsorships Available

Spring Tea

Saturday, May 30 - 2pm to 5pm

Tea Culture & Arts is joining us for an afternoon nature hike, tea experiences, poetry and papermaking.

RSVP Now

VCPA Learning Garden

SAVE THE DATE!

NY Philharmonic & Fireworks

Tuesday, June 9 at 8pm

THE PHIL IS BACK!!! And, as always, it is FREE for all to enjoy.

Pack a picnic, BYOB (bring your own blanket), and get ready for a lovely evening.

More Information

Parade Ground  

Support Our Work in Van Cortlandt Park

26.2 in 26

Join the Challenge — hike, run, stroll, or skip your way to 26.2 miles in Van Cortlandt Park anytime in 2026.

You choose the trails. You choose the pace. You choose the timeline.

Register Now

Make a Donation

The park is really big. Our staff is really small. Only with your help can we grow our capacity, hire more staff, and take on projects to improve Van Cortlandt Park… for YOU!  Please consider a gift to Van Cortlandt Park Alliance today.

Donate!

VCPA Merch Shop!

Show your love for Van Cortlandt Park while supporting the Alliance!

Shop Now!

Become a Member

Members get VCPA merch and invitations to member only hikes while supporting their favorite park!

Join Now!

Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org