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

2. 
   
   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 11/28/25 @ 4:12 pm  (Yes, we are back on standard time!)
   Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely. 
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 11/29/25 @ 5:15 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.

   
   

   Kiddish is sponsored by Jack and Shelley Spiegel in honor of their 50th anniversary. Come to services and stay to celebrate.
   

3. Shabbos parsha

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Parashat Vayetzei 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּצֵא

   29 November 2025 / 9 Kislev 5786

   Parashat Vayetzei is the 7th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.

   Torah Portion: Genesis 28:10-32:3

   Vayetzei (“He Went Out”) opens as Jacob dreams about angels going up and down a ladder, and then continues on his journey toward the home of his uncle Laban. During years of indentured servitude, Jacob marries Laban’s daughters Leah and Rachel, bearing children with them and with their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah. [1]

   
   

4. 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.

   
   

   
   

5. An Appeal from the Met Council for SNAP help

   
   

   See the VCJC blog post from the Met Council’s announcement.

   
   

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

 

Lowe’s Home Centers to Pay $12.5M Penalty for Lead Paint Violations During Home Renovations

 

Home Improvement Giant Agrees to Comprehensive Nationwide Program to Ensure Lead-Safe Practices

The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed nationwide settlement with Lowe’s Home Centers LLC — a subsidiary of Lowe’s Companies Inc. — to resolve alleged violations of EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. The violations stem from renovation work performed by Lowe’s contractors at hundreds of homes across the country, primarily between 2019 and 2021. As part of the settlement, Lowe’s will pay a $12.5 million penalty and improve its compliance program for renovations in homes that may contain lead-based paint.

“Careless handling of lead paint endangers the health of children and other Americans. The stiff penalty Lowe’s will pay reflects the importance of using certified firms and contractors in older home renovations,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Contractors hired for work that may disturb paint in homes built prior to 1978, when lead-based paint was in widespread use, must be certified. These contractors have the training to recognize and prevent the hazards that can be created when lead paint is disturbed.”

“Noncompliance with EPA regulations aimed at reducing or preventing health risks from lead paint exposure during renovations, repairs, and painting can endanger families, especially young children and infants,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Craig Pritzlaff of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). “Through this enforcement action, Lowe’s will help protect their customers from the harmful effects of lead by ensuring that renovation work in homes built before 1978 is conducted by certified contractors using lead-safe practices.”

The settlement agreement requires Lowe’s to implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide program to ensure that the firms and installers it hires to perform work are qualified to use lead-safe work practices to avoid spreading lead dust and paint chips during home renovations. EPA found that Lowe’s failed to successfully implement the compliance terms of a 2014 settlement with the EPA, resulting in the alleged violations of the RRP rule.

EPA discovered some of the alleged violations after investigating problems disclosed by Lowe’s in periodic compliance reports required under the terms of a 2014 consent decree. The agency found additional alleged violations after responding to a tip from a member of the public concerning door replacements and other renovation work performed by a firm hired by Lowe’s to do work in southern and central California.

Residential lead-based paint use was banned in 1978 but remains in many older homes and apartments across the country. Lead dust hazards can occur when lead paint deteriorates or is disrupted during home renovation and remodeling activities. Lead exposure can cause a range of health problems, from behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to seizures and death, putting young children at the greatest risk because their nervous systems are still developing. A blood lead test is the only way to determine if a child has a high lead level. Parents who think their child has been in contact with lead dust should contact their child's health care provider.

The consent decree was lodged in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The lodged consent decree and information on submitting public comment is available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

More information is available on the 2025 Lowe’s RRP Rule Settlement Summary page: www.epa.gov/enforcement/lowes-home-centers-llc-rrp-2025-settlement-summary.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING 19- YEAR-OLD WOMAN AFTER FIRING GUN IN BRONX NIGHTCLUB; ADDITIONAL BYSTANDER WAS STRUCK IN ARM

 

Defendant Was Convicted After Jury Trial 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for second-degree Murder and additional charges after fatally shooting a 19-year-old woman and shooting a man after an argument in a University Heights nightclub. The victims were not the intended targets. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant put people’s lives at risk when he opened fire inside a nightclub. His reckless actions caused the death of a 19-year-old woman who was enjoying a night out. No one should have to fear they are risking their lives by enjoying our borough’s nightlife.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Domingo Berroa, 37, was sentenced November 25, 2025, to 20 years to life in prison for second-degree Murder, and 10 years in prison plus five years post release supervision for second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy. The sentences will run concurrently. The defendant was convicted of the charges after a jury trial. 

According to the investigation, on October 19, 2020, at approximately 7:00 a.m., the defendant got into an argument inside the nightclub Trios near Jerome Avenue and North Street in University Heights. Berroa pulled out a gun and fired one time missing his intended target and striking a man in the arm and then Wendolin Ortiz, 19, killing her. The defendant fled and purchased a ticket to the Dominican Republic. He was arrested the following day at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Faton Alickaj of Bronx Homicide for his work on the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt. 

Governor Hochul Announces Launch of $300 Million ‘POWER UP’ Program to Create Power-Ready and Shovel-Ready Industrial Sites

Program Will Position New York To Attract High-Growth Industries by Proactively Extending the Power and Utilities Required by Next-Generation Businesses

First Introduced in 2025 State of the State and Funded in FY26 Enacted Budget

POWER UP Now Accepting Initial Applications; Webinar for Potential Applicants Scheduled for Wednesday, December 10

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of New York's new Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Underdeveloped Properties (POWER UP) program. POWER UP will offer grants for electrical and transmission infrastructure at industrial sites for key sectors like semiconductors, agribusiness and cleantech. Through the program, New York will establish an inventory of turn-key industrial sites, further securing the State’s leadership role in reshoring manufacturing. The $300 million initiative was first introduced in Governor Hochul's 2025 State of the State and was included in the FY26 Enacted Budget with an initial $100 million in grant funding, and represents a fundamental shift in the State’s approach to site-readiness by proactively preparing sites for the energy demands of next-generation manufacturers.

“Bringing advanced manufacturing businesses that will create good-paying jobs in New York State has been a pillar of my administration, and that requires a proactive strategy that adapts to meet the needs of modern employers,” Governor Hochul said. “As businesses grow and technologies evolve, more power capacity is needed, and POWER UP will help ensure that our sites are shovel-ready and power-ready. We're investing in our infrastructure today to build New York's economy of tomorrow.”

POWER UP will build upon the continued success of FAST NY, which awards grants to municipalities in New York to prepare industrial sites. Since its inception, FAST NY has awarded more than $283 million to 34 sites throughout Upstate New York. POWER UP will focus on developing electrical infrastructure at key industrial sites, helping to build a suite of locations that can support advanced manufacturers looking to move to New York. The program will take years off site development timelines and allow the State to offer industrial sites that are both power-ready and shovel-ready. With this inventory of industrial sites, New York State will continue to bring back manufacturing and build on its momentum of creating new good-paying jobs and fostering economic growth.

Empire State Development will administer POWER UP in consultation with the Department of Public Service. ESD will work to ensure that the fund assists sites strongly positioned to host advanced manufacturing, and DPS will provide expertise in utility capital planning and identify opportunities for project sites that bundle clean energy resources.

Applicants can submit a Letter of Intent to Apply — the first step in the program's application process. A webinar for potential applicants will be held on Wednesday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m., and the program's Consolidated Funding Application will open immediately following. Eligible applicants include industrial development agencies, local development corporations, municipalities, municipally designated economic development organizations and utilities. Applicants must have ownership or control of the site, or provide written consent from the ownership entity. Sites must be at least 40 contiguous developable acres and demonstrate a high-level of readiness with respect to preliminary engineering, feasibility studies and engagement with electric utility providers. More information, including program guidelines and webinar registration, is available online here.

Permits Filed for 2768 Webster Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a 13-story mixed-use building at 2768 Webster Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx. Located by the intersection with East 197th Street, the lot is near the Kingsbridge Road subway station, served by the B and D trains. Mark Stagg of RYTY Home Builders is listed as the owner behind the applications, and is also responsible for the permits recently filed for 2740 Webster Avenue.

The proposed 135-foot-tall development will yield 439,862 square feet, with 388,797 square feet designated for residential space and 51,065 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 510 residences, with a total 672 dwellings on the lot. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, 73 enclosed parking spaces, and two commercial loading berths.

Aufgang Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in September for the two-story structure on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Sky Lease I Inc. Agrees to Pay $1,030,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Falsely Reporting Delivery Times of U.S. Mail Carried Internationally

 

The Justice Department announced that Sky Lease I Inc. (Sky Lease) has paid $1,030,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it falsely reported information about the transfer of U.S. mail to foreign posts or other intended recipients under contracts with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Sky Lease is an air cargo delivery company with headquarters in Miami, Florida.

“The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that government contractors provide the services they have contracted to provide,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When contractors knowingly fail to provide services for which they have been paid, the Department of Justice will pursue appropriate remedies to redress the violations and deter future ones.”

“The USPS contracts with commercial airlines for the safeguarding and timely delivery of U.S. mail to foreign posts,” said Executive Special Agent in Charge Ken Cleevely of the USPS, Office of Inspector General (OIG). “The OIG supports the Postal Service by aggressively investigating allegations of contractual non-compliance within the mail delivery process, including the falsification of delivery information. Our special agents worked hand-in-hand with the Department of Justice to help ensure a reasonable resolution and we applaud the exceptional work done by the investigative and legal teams.”

USPS contracted with Sky Lease to take possession of receptacles of U.S. mail at locations in the United States or at various Department of Defense and State Department locations abroad and then deliver that mail to numerous international and domestic destinations. To obtain payment under the contracts, Sky Lease was required to submit electronic scans of the mail receptacles to USPS reporting the time the mail was delivered at the identified destinations. The settlement resolves allegations that scans submitted by Sky Lease falsely reported the time that it transferred possession of the mail.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with substantial assistance from the USPS Office of the Inspector General and the USPS Office of General Counsel.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at BRAC

 

Dear Friends of BRAC, 


As we head into the holiday season, we just wanted to pause and say thank you. Whether you’ve taken a class, attended a performance, visited our gallery, brought your kids to a workshop, or simply cheered us on from afar—you are part of what makes BRAC such a vibrant, creative home in the Bronx.



This year has been full of growth, new partnerships, and inspiring moments in our classrooms, studios, and performance spaces. None of it happens without the people who walk through our doors and believe in the power of art to build community, connection, and possibility.



We look forward to sharing more programs, performances, and opportunities with you in the weeks ahead. Until then, we hope you find space for rest, joy, and creativity.



With gratitude,

Akia, Stephany, Jennifer, Priscilla, Ukari, Jhanique, Richard & Debbie

The Bronx River Art Center Team

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THANKSGIVING

 

"Happy Thanksgiving to New York City, the homeland of the Lenape people. I hope it is a day of bounty and blessings for all, with hearts and tables full, as we spend time with those dearest to us.I thank G-d for my family, my friends, my team, my city, and the opportunity New Yorkers have given me to serve that city. I’m also thankful for the New York Knicks, most days.”

"I’ve often noted that the myth of Thanksgiving is at odds with the reality of the horrors that occurred during that time, particularly for Indigenous Americans. Even the myth itself, held up as quintessentially American, is at odds with America today. We celebrate the Pilgrims as immigrants fleeing persecution and welcomed with bounty, yet today, so many turn their backs on the same immigrant populations, and so many cheer policies that would cut families off from food."

"The best way to celebrate gratitude and grace is by living it – by showing our appreciation and love for the loved ones we have and for the strangers who have less. President Lincoln, in establishing a day of thanks, called on the nation to pursue ‘inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land.’ I echo that call today, and unlike that time, echo it for all."

Housing Lottery Launches for 1353 Castle Hill Avenue in Parkchester, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1353 Castle Hill Avenue, a six-story mixed-use building in Parkchester, The Bronx. Designed by Gino Longo and developed by Anthony DeRosa, the structure yields 32 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 15 units for residents at 80 to 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $72,995 to $227,500. Individuals or households must have at least one household member who is 62 years of age or older. 

1353 Castle Hill Avenue in Parkchester, The Bronx via NYC Housing Connect

Residences feature large open layouts, spacious living rooms, name-brand countertops and finishes, air conditioning, and energy-efficient appliances. Amenities include fitness center, recreation room, storage, and a shared laundry room. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including stove, heat, and hot water.

At 80 percent of the AMI, there are three studios with a monthly rent of $1,945 for incomes ranging from $72,995 to $103,680; five one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,051 for incomes ranging from $78,823 to $116,640; and two two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,392 for incomes ranging from $95,349 to $140,000.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there is one studio with a monthly rent of $2,705 for incomes ranging from $99,052 to $168,480; two one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,800 for incomes ranging from $104,503 to $189,540; and two two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,065 for incomes ranging from $118,423 to $227,500.00.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than December 18, 2025.

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Dear Neighbors,

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! On this special day, it is my hope that we can reflect on the blessings we have in our lives and as a community despite the many challenges we are facing. In my case, I'm thankful to represent you and I'm committed to continue working to address the issues that matter the most to you and your family. Have a joyful holiday!

Senator Gustavo Rivera

New York State Senate

33rd District

SENATOR RIVERA'S OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED IN CELEBRATION OF THANKSGIVING

SENATOR RIVERA CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING WITH TURKEY DISTRIBUTIONs ACROSS HIS DISTRICT!

As Thanksgiving approaches, Senator Rivera and his team distributed turkeys and produce at different events across his district including at Pelham Parkway Houses, Bean Morris Community Garden, Bronx Community Board 8, and at the Riverdale Neighborhood House. 

With generous donations from local businesses, corporate partners, and community organizations, Senator Rivera and his team worked hard to ensure that many families in Senate District 33 received what they needed to spend a joyful holiday, especially during these challenging times.

This week, Senator Rivera joined Governor Kathy Hochul as she visited The Bronx to make a series of announcements highlighting new affordability measures that will put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of families across New York.

Here are the highlights:

• Starting in January, 1.6 million families can start claiming New York’s expanded child tax credit for up to $1,000 per child, which will benefit more than 1.6 million families.

• New York just launched the BABY Benefit initiative, a one-time $1,800 allowance for low-income parents upon the birth of a new baby.

Governor Hochul also announced significant investments into The Bronx's healthcare system to improve maternal care and youth mental health services. The state is allocating $5 million to build a new birthing center, where soon-to-be moms will be able to receive affordable care before, during and after birth, including the opportunity of giving birth in a safe, home-like setting.

In addition, the Governor is partnering with Montefiore Medical Center to open a brand new youth-focused inpatient psychiatric facility in The Bronx. This unit will help countless young Bronxites with complex behavioral health needs by providing them with treatment and other mental health services.

Finally, Senator Rivera joined the Governor, Montefiore Health System, Greater New York Hospital Association, the Afya Foundation, and 1199SEIU to recognize their efforts to send aid to Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

Read more about these announcements here and here.

Senator Rivera's bill (S.1804-A) to require insurance coverage for certain inhalers (one rescue and one maintenance) at no cost has been signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The cost of asthma inhalers can be cost prohibitive for many, with the price of each life-saving device being as high as $640 a month. Even with health insurance, individuals are subjected to significant expenses to access this life-saving medication, and without consistent access to inhalers, people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to get sick, be hospitalized, and die.

According to the New York State Department of Health, more than 1.4 million adults in New York live with asthma. New York City has one of the country’s highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths due to asthma among children and young adults, and it is especially prevalent in The Bronx. This is due to indoor and outdoor air pollution, tobacco use, and barriers to quality and affordable healthcare coverage.

"With the Governor signing this bill into law, New York is one step closer to eliminating the financial barriers that keep our residents from accessing life-saving asthma medications. I want to thank my partner in the Assembly, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, for working closely with me to get this important law on the books, which will improve access to care,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. 

This week, Senator Rivera attended the Bronx 48th Precinct Council monthly meeting. During the meeting, Senator Rivera shared updates on his work in the community including his office's most recent immigration related outreach efforts, as well as his walkthroughs of auto shops in Bronx Community Board 6 to directly engage with local auto shop owners to discuss his proposed legislation, S2329/A3629. He also responded to questions from board members, neighbors, and representatives from the precinct council.

Thank you to the Council's President Carmen Rivera, and all other members for their warm welcome!

This week, Senator Rivera joined Bronx groups to urge New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez to extend the environmental review process for the Cross Bronx 5 Bridge Project to 90 days from the current 52 days.

Bronx residents who will be impacted by this $900 million dollar project deserve to spend the holiday season spending time with their families, not reviewing a 6,000 page document.

The Cross Bronx Expressway has caused too much damage in our borough for almost seven decades so it is only fair that we get this project right and ensure future generations in the South Bronx grow up in a safer and healthier environment.

In the meantime, the NYSDOT will hold the following public hearings on the Draft Design Report/Environmental Assessment (DDR/EA):

• Wednesday, December 3, at Mott V, 1551 East 172nd Street, Bronx, NY 10472, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a formal presentation at 6:30 p.m.

• Saturday, December 6, at P.S. 214, 1970 West Farms Road, Bronx, NY 10460, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a formal presentation at 3:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 10, virtually via Zoom, (Zoom ID: 834 3999 6917; Invite Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83439996917). The virtual hearing will consist of formal presentations at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. followed by public testimony sessions.

 

Written comments on the Draft Design Report/Environmental Assessment can also be submitted via email to Rehab5CBEBridges@dot.ny.gov until January 9, 2026. You can review the DDR/EA here.

 Passionate about public service and are you social media savvy? Apply to our Social Media Internship and help our Communications Team shape the message behind the mission!

 Deadline: ASAP



 Send your resume + cover letter to grivera@nysenate.gov.

THE 2026 NYC PARKS LIFEGUARD RECRUITMENT HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!

Lifeguard qualifying tests began October 25, 2025 at Truman High School!

Lifeguard Qualiry Test are taking place between now through later February 2026. All potential lifeguards must first pass this test before beginning training. Please use the following link for Lifeguard Qualiry Testing locations in the Bronx Lifeguard Qualifying Test Registration : NYC Parks

 

Upcoming dates:

• Monday, 11/24
• Wednesday, 1/28/26
• Saturday, 2/7/26

 

These qualifying tests are taking place at Truman High School.

FROM 11/1 TO 2/28/2026: APPLY TO THEDREAM.US SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DREAMERS!