Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes
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Friday, April 28, 2023
VCJC News & Notes 4/28/23
Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S ‘HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS’ PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
The New York City Council voted overwhelmingly to pass Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams ‘Homeless Bill of Rights,' which would codify the rights of homeless individuals both outside of and within the city’s shelter system, as well as standards required to be met within shelters. Introduced as the administration was making rapid, repeated sweeps to dismantle homeless encampments, often displacing homeless individuals, the legislation passes today amid an even further exacerbated homelessness crisis, with asylum seekers joining the tens of thousands of New Yorkers struggling in the city’s shelters and on its streets. The bill, Intro 190-A, now goes to Mayor Eric Adams for his signature or veto.
"We're in a moment when the housing and homelessness crisis is deepening, both for the people seeking asylum here and the 50,000 people who were in our shelters before they arrived,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “Homeless individuals are being targeted, demonized, and dehumanized. Inside and outside of shelters, unhoused people feel like they’re left without support, without options, without rights or recourse, amid a system that has failed for so long, and has left people feeling abandoned and powerless. As we work to get people into permanent housing, we need to codify the rights of homeless individuals into law – to clearly state and make them known -– to ensure that they are upheld, and that people are empowered to demand what they deserve.”
Intro 190-A requires the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to produce a statement of rights for those living in shelter, which would inform clients experiencing homelessness about the rights and services available to them. In addition, DHS is required to make this document available on its website and to provide it to shelters and social services offices for distribution to people experiencing homelessness.
Specifically, the statement includes:
- The right to shelter;
- The right to request an interpreter and translation when interacting with agencies;
- Educational options for children experiencing homelessness;
- The right to vote;
- The right to file a complaint and to be protected from retaliation for filing complaints;
- The ability to communicate with a housing specialist and apply for rental assistance voucher;
- The right to sleep outside;
- The option to be placed in a shelter consistent with a person’s gender identity or expression;
- The right to receive diapers and feminine hygiene products;
It also codifies a right to access legal support and several environmental standards inside of shelters themselves, including access to bathrooms, and laundry, space to bathe and change babies and small children, and have meals and accommodations for dietary needs.
“The rights this bill codifies are a floor, not a ceiling. They're a base standard, a moral and legal obligation that the city must meet for vulnerable unhoused New Yorkers,” continued the Public Advocate. “By passing this bill, we are empowering individuals, elected leaders, and organizations to hold the city accountable to those rights being protected as we continue to push for the true solution to the homelessness crisis – housing."
While these standards are present in agency rules and other city guidances, the legislation synthesizes them into a single declaration. Aggregating, codifying, distributing and publicizing these rights will help to ensure they are upheld, and empower homeless individuals to self-advocate if these rights are violated.
In winter 2020, there were nearly 80,000 people unhoused in New York City, the highest number in the city’s history. As of January 8, 2023, there were 67,880 homeless children and adults living in shelters managed by the city’s Department of Homeless Services and thousands more living in shelters managed by other city agencies. Currently, the city is experiencing a record number of people in shelters in part due to the influx of thousands of people seeking asylum.
The Council also passed a second piece of legislation from the Public Advocate today, Intro 805-A, which requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to expedite studies of traffic crashes involving pedestrian fatalities or serious injuries every four years, and to make reports available on any location with four or more such incidents. These studies would analyze the factors behind crashes and develop strategies to improve pedestrian safety. The legislation will increase transparency, aid collaboration, and help prevent traffic violence.
"By expediting the timeline to review and make changes in response to tragic traffic violence deaths and injuries, my bill will increase transparency, aid collaboration, and help to prevent the traffic violence that takes hundreds of lives a year on our city streets," said the Public Advocate of the bill "Traffic deaths are preventable. It is my hope that the street safety package being voted on today will be a key part of that prevention - a foundation, but not a finish line.”
Thursday, April 27, 2023
MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS JIMMY ODDO AS DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS COMMISSIONER, MOLLY WASOW PARK AS DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER
Kazimir Vilenchik, P.E. Will Continue as DOB First Deputy Commissioner
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointments of Jimmy Oddo as the commissioner for the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) and Molly Wasow Park as the commissioner for the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS). DOB Acting Commissioner Kazimir Vilenchik, P.E. will return to his previous role as the agency’s first deputy commissioner.
Following more than a year as chief of staff to Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, overseeing the city’s physical infrastructure and public space, Commissioner Oddo will lead the administration’s critical building and construction safety work while continuing to support the city’s economic recovery. The current acting commissioner at DSS and former first deputy commissioner at the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), Commissioner Park will oversee both DHS, which provides shelter to thousands of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and helps them transition to permanent housing, as well as the Human Resources Administration (HRA), which assists more than 3 million low‐income and vulnerable New Yorkers annually through more than 12 major public benefits programs.
“Our administration has always been laser-focused on finding the right people for the right jobs at the right time, and Jimmy Oddo and Molly Wasow Park are exactly those people,” said Mayor Adams. “Commissioner Oddo is an expert at building and running high-functioning teams, and he will bring the leadership the Department of Buildings needs to oversee our city’s buildings and protect New Yorkers who work in construction and walk on our streets. Commissioner Park has a proven track record of helping connect thousands of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness on our subways to shelter and making it easier for people to access critical services, and I am confident she has the experience, vision, and compassion to continue leading this agency and make life better for those in need. Each of them brings decades of invaluable experience to the job, and New Yorkers thank them for stepping up to serve at this crucial time.”
“Mayor Adams has built a team of leaders who ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers, and I’m excited to continue working with Commissioner Oddo and Commissioner Park in their new roles,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “I have had the privilege of working with both of them over the last year, and I have complete confidence that they will do everything in their power to keep New Yorkers safe, deliver the quality of life our neighbors deserve, and advance the mission of building a safer, fairer city.”
“I trust that Jimmy Oddo will be an effective commissioner and serve our city well. He is an experienced and proven leader who will use his skill sets to continue to move the Department of Buildings forward,” said Chief Advisor to the Mayor Ingrid Lewis-Martin. “Molly Park brings decades of experience to her new role as commissioner and will help the city continue its commitment to provide shelter and housing to those most in need.”
“Jimmy Oddo brings the highest level of passion, empathy, and smarts to public service, and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Operations has been the grateful beneficiary of the ‘Oddo Effect,’” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “In his new role, his excellent leadership and acumen will ensure the Department of Buildings meets the real and pressing needs of New Yorkers who depend on it to ensure safety standards are in place and for building continuity. I truly look forward to working with Commissioner Oddo in his new capacity, and I am deeply appreciative to First Deputy Commissioner Vilenchik for serving in his acting capacity.”
“I’m excited to count Commissioner Park as another smart, driven leader in the administration,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Her experience rooted in housing and case work makes her well-placed to take on the role of leading one of the city’s largest agencies and doing so with a person-centric view that will benefit every person that comes in contact with DSS. I look forward to continuing to work with her and the team at DSS.”
“Homelessness is a housing problem. There is no one who knows this better than Molly Park, which is why I am thrilled to see her appointed as commissioner of the Department of Social Services,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “Molly is a ‘houser’s houser,’ and having her lead DSS, overseeing DHS and HRA, shows New York City is on the right path to finally solving our homelessness crisis. She’ll need an army behind her, but having Molly at the helm demonstrates to our neighbors experiencing homelessness that they will get the services and support they need to find permanent housing.”
I am grateful for Mayor Adams’ continued belief in me, and I am excited to continue serving this city at the Department of Buildings,” said DOB Commissioner Oddo. “Ensuring the safety of every New Yorker and workers alike will always be the top priority. As we undertake that critical work, we will continue reorienting the agency to be more efficient and customer friendly. Having built and been a part of highly successful teams, I will work every day to foster a culture within the agency that best positions the talented professionals there to address and advance our agenda — from keeping New Yorkers safe and deploying cutting-edge technology to do so to reinvigorating our city’s public space. I am grateful to Deputy Mayor Joshi for her partnership these last 16 months, and I am thrilled to be able to continue to closely work with her and the talented operations team.”
“Homelessness, affordable housing, and economic insecurity are all intrinsically linked, and we must tackle all of these challenges to ensure every New Yorker can thrive,” said DSS Commissioner Park. “As commissioner, I look forward to drawing on my experience in both housing and social services to break down the silos that have traditionally existed and innovate to make each of these systems serve all New Yorkers. Thank you to Mayor Adams for this opportunity to continue serving this city and help build a stronger, more prosperous future for all.”
“A well-functioning Department of Buildings is essential to promoting both public safety and economic growth in our city,” said DOB First Deputy Commissioner Vilenchik. “Jimmy Oddo is a committed public servant with decades of government experience, and I am certain that he will continue the great progress already made under the Adams administration to streamline this agency. It is an honor to be staying on as first deputy commissioner at the department, where I can continue to provide my technical expertise in service to the people of this great city.”
At DOB, Oddo will accelerate the administration’s work of protecting construction workers and at-risk buildings, supporting the small businesses driving the city’s economic recovery, and implementing New York City’s nation-leading sustainability laws, including Local Law 97.
At DSS, Park will build on current work, helping New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness get connected to shelter, overseeing a range of public assistance programs to serve the most vulnerable, and responding to the continued asylum seeker crisis that New York City faces.
“Jimmy Oddo is an excellent choice to lead the Department of Buildings,” said Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Rohit T. Aggarwala. “He is a deeply thoughtful and values-driven public servant, and I have gained so much working with him these last 15 months. Jimmy understands the importance of Local Law 97, as well as the challenge we will face in achieving the climate mobilization it requires. I look forward to working closely with him on Local Law 97 and on many other things.”
“Jimmy Oddo will make a spectacular commissioner of the Department of Buildings,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “Throughout his decades of work across city government, I have looked up to Jimmy as the gold standard for public service. He is passionate about his work, thoughtful in his approach, wise about how government can and should serve the people, and one of the finest human beings I have had the pleasure to work alongside.”
“I commend Mayor Adams for making this outstanding appointment,” said former First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo. “I’ve been privileged to work with Jimmy Oddo for more than 15 years, and I believe there is no one who is better qualified to lead the Department of Buildings and ‘Get Stuff Done!’”
“Molly Park has demonstrated that she is an extraordinary public servant who is committed to innovative leadership focused on what is best for New Yorkers in need,” said New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz. “Mayor Adams has made an excellent choice in appointing Molly as Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, and I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively on our shared goals in the months and years ahead.”
Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Thieves Targeting Hyundai and Kia Vehicles and Provides Tips to Protect Consumers
New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert to warn New Yorkers about recent thefts targeting vehicles made by Hyundai and Kia and provided critical tips to protect consumers. Attorney General James also urged Hyundai and Kia to immediately fix safety flaws, such as faulty ignition switches and a lack of engine immobilizers, that have made their vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 vulnerable to thefts. Attorney General James also called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall these unsafe vehicles. Today’s alert comes in light of a surge in Hyundai and Kia car thefts caused by a dangerous viral video trend on the social media platform TikTok, where people have uploaded videos showing how to hotwire these cars and challenging others to steal them.
“When we learn about scams and design flaws that harm New York consumers and car owners, it is important that we slam the brakes on these problems,” said Attorney General James. “Manufacturers have a responsibility to address safety flaws in their vehicles, which is why I am calling on Hyundai and Kia to immediately install anti-theft devices and other safety measures to better protect New York car owners and lessees. I urge all New Yorkers, especially those with impacted Hyundai and Kia vehicles, to remain vigilant and follow our important tips to help keep themselves safe.”
Kia and Hyundai vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 are vulnerable to theft because their ignition switches can be easily bypassed and they lack engine immobilizers, which has allowed thieves to hotwire the vehicles within minutes. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities were made public through TikTok videos of people showing how to steal Hyundai and Kia cars using simple tools like a USB cable and screwdriver. As these vulnerabilities spread virally through challenge videos on the internet, thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles has surged, creating significant public safety hazards and property loss. For instance, in Rochester, nearly 75 percent of cars stolen this year were manufactured by Hyundai and Kia. Similarly, in New York City, the New York City Police Department has indicated alarming concerns, in which there were more than 100 Hyundai and Kia car thefts in the month of December alone. Thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles have led to millions of dollars in lost and damaged property and have diverted emergency and police resources from other pressing issues.
These thefts also pose a direct risk to public safety: at least four deaths and numerous injuries have resulted from car accidents following the theft of these vehicles in New York. Hyundai and Kia are in the process of implementing a software patch that will repair their vehicles’ vulnerabilities, but the patch is being rolled out in phases and will not be available for all vehicle models.
As part of her ongoing efforts to combat theft and protect New Yorkers, Attorney General James and a coalition of 17 other attorneys general called for a national recall of these unsafe vehicles. Additionally, Attorney General James and the coalition urged Hyundai and Kia to speed up their efforts to install software patches that would prevent vehicles from being easily stolen and provide free anti-theft steering wheel devices to all impacted owners whose vehicles are not eligible for the software patch.
Attorney General James also recommends New Yorkers who own Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 to immediately take the following steps to protect themselves against theft:
- If you’re a Kia owner or lessee, you should check Kia’s website or call Kia directly to check the status of your vehicle’s eligibility for a software upgrade or free steering wheel lock. You can contact Kia’s Customer Care team toll-free at 1-800-333-4542 or online via its Owners Portal.
- If you’re a Hyundai owner or lessee, you should check Hyundai’s website or call Hyundai directly to check the status of your vehicle’s eligibility for a software upgrade or free steering wheel lock. You can call Hyundai’s customer care agents toll-free at 1-888-498-0390 or visit its website for more information.
- Immediately contact your Hyundai/Kia dealer to ask about having the software on your vehicle upgraded to repair the vulnerabilities that make the vehicles uniquely prone to car theft.
- Request an anti-theft steering wheel device from Hyundai or Kia if your vehicle is not immediately eligible for a software patch that would repair its vulnerabilities.
- Check your mail regularly and be aware of any notices from Hyundai, Kia, or government agencies regarding any mandatory or voluntary recalls of vehicles or additional safety measures that may become available for your vehicle.
- If your vehicle has been stolen or you believe someone has attempted to steal your vehicle, contact your local police precinct to report the incident.
Statement from New York City Comptroller on Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement in response to Mayor Adams’ announcement of the Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget:
“The City of New York’s FY 2024 budget must thoughtfully balance funding the services New Yorkers rely on today with long-term financial stability. We do need to address significant out-year budget gaps, but we don’t need to close our public libraries on the weekends, as the Mayor acknowledged today.
“Unfortunately, without an adopted State budget from Albany, the City is operating in the dark when it comes to the impacts of proposed assistance and potential cost shifts, and today’s Executive Budget reflects that uncertainty.
“New York City’s economy is growing at a healthy pace as we settle into new patterns after the disruption of the pandemic to businesses, transit, and schools. Jobs have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels and tax revenues have come in above projections, but the economic success we are seeing now remains uncertain and inequitable. With half of New Yorkers struggling with cost of living, addressing affordability must be a top priority.
“The City of New York is spending significant resources to provide shelter for asylum seekers, and the Mayor is right that we must continue to aggressively press Washington and Albany to provide their share of meeting what are federal and state obligations. But this budget fails to take steps within the City’s capacity to help both new arrivals and long-time shelter stayers move out of shelter into permanent housing – something that would help those families and control shelter costs. We estimate that more than 99% of spending on asylum-seekers is currently going to emergency shelter, and less than 1% towards services to help new arrivals file the paperwork that enable them to work legally and begin to contribute to the economic and cultural vibrancy of this city of immigrants. This is short-sighted.
“There are big challenges for the City in the coming years as federal emergency funding runs out and budget gaps grow significantly in FY 2026 and 2027. In the short term, our preliminary assessment is that budget gaps are manageable, but more sustained attention to achieving long-term savings is necessary. Rather than force agencies to make up savings with just a few days notice, the Administration would do better to work with agencies on long-term savings strategies over the four-year financial plan that will help keep costs in check without adverse impacts on services.
“In addition, new revenue sources will likely be needed to make the investments in housing affordability, childcare, mental healthcare, and community safety that the Mayor and Governor’s own task force last fall said are essential for the city’s long-term economic success – but that are not included in this budget. We can make smarter longer-term choices to support shared economic thriving through times of uncertainty.
“I look forward to reviewing the Executive Budget closely over the coming weeks and working with my partners in City government to ensure public funds are spent thoughtfully to secure a successful and sustainable future for every New Yorker.”
Cox: Ocasio-Cortez, Bowman and Velazquez turn their backs on Israel
NYGOP Chair Ed Cox released the following statement after Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman and Nydia Velazquez joined fifteen other Democrats in voting against a bipartisan resolution, which passed 400-19, expressing support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and the Abraham Accords in honor of the 75th anniversary of Israel’s founding:
“These shameful no votes further prove that the Democratic Party has been infected by the socialist, anti-Israel far left, which does not believe that Israel has a right to exist, let alone defend itself.
“Through their past statements, their tolerance of casual antisemitism from members of their caucus including Reps. Omar and Tlaib, and now through their votes, Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Bowman and Velazquez have turned their backs on one of America’s closest allies and the work for a lasting peace in the Middle East.”
Bike New York's 46th Annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour
SUNDAY, MAY 7: BIKE NEW YORK’S 46TH ANNUAL TD FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR
NEW YORK GIANTS LEGENDS TIKI BARBER AND AMANI TOOMER AND NEW YORK JETS LEGENDS BOOMER ESIASON AND MARTY LYONS AMONG RIDERS,
1 MILLIONTH RIDER WELCOMED
Check-in: Corner of White St and Church St in Tribeca
Starting Line: Intersection of Franklin St and Church St
Finish Line: Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY
Start Schedule
In the event that members of your group are assigned to different Start waves, please ride together in the latest Start wave for your group. Riders assigned to later Start waves cannot move to an earlier time. Riders heading southbound to the Start Line must enter their wave via Broadway. Riders heading northbound to the Start Line must enter their wave via the Hudson River Greenway.
START 1A (VIP & CHARITY RIDERS) AND START 1B (7:30AM)
Recommended arrival time: 6AM-7AM. If Southbound, Start 1B should enter from Chambers to Duane or from Thomas. If Northbound, Start 1B should enter from Chambers to Bogardus Plaza then Duane.
START 2 (8:05AM)
Recommended arrival time: 7:05AM-7:35AM.
If Southbound, enter from Murray. If Northbound, enter from Warren.
START 3 (8:40AM)
Recommended arrival time: 7:40AM-8:10AM.
If Southbound, enter from Fulton. If Northbound, enter from Vesey.
START 4 (9:15AM)
Recommended arrival time: 8:15AM-8:45AM.
If Southbound, enter from Cedar. If Northbound, enter from Albany to Greenwich to Thames.
START 5 (9:50AM)
Recommended arrival time: 8:50AM-9:20AM.
If Southbound, enter from Morris. If Northbound, enter from Albany to Greenwich to Rector.
START 6 (10:25AM)
Recommended arrival time: 9:25AM-9:55AM.
If Southbound or Northbound, enter from Battery Pl.
After a Start wave is released, the line moves up. Please refer to access points for earlier waves. Sixth Ave will reopen to cars at 12:00 PM.
Two Sentenced To Prison For ‘We Build The Wall’ Online Fundraising Fraud Scheme
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that BRIAN KOLFAGE and ANDREW BADOLATO were sentenced by United States District Judge Analisa Torres. KOLFAGE was sentenced to 51 months in prison, and BADOLATO was sentenced to 36 months in prison, for their respective roles in carrying out a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign known as “We Build The Wall” by soliciting donations using false statements and then stealing the resulting donations.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato abused the trust of donors to We Build the Wall and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to line their own pockets. The defendants have now been held accountable for their criminal conduct.”
According to court filings and evidence introduced during court proceedings:
Starting in approximately December 2018, BRIAN KOLFAGE, ANDREW BADOLATO, their co-defendant TIMOTHY SHEA, and others orchestrated a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors, including donors in the Southern District of New York, in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign ultimately known as “We Build The Wall” that raised more than $25,000,000 to build a wall along the southern border of the United States. In particular, to induce donors to donate to the campaign, KOLFAGE repeatedly and falsely assured the public that he would “not take a penny in salary or compensation” and that “100% of the funds raised…will be used in the execution of our mission and purpose.”
Those representations were lies. In truth, KOLFAGE, BADOLATO, SHEA, and others received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donor funds from We Build the Wall, which they each used in a manner inconsistent with the organization’s public representations. For example, KOLFAGE covertly took for his personal use more than $350,000 in funds that donors had given to We Build the Wall. To conceal the payments to KOLFAGE from We Build the Wall, KOLFAGE, BADOLATO, SHEA, and others devised a scheme to route those payments through entities and bank accounts that they controlled. They took various steps to obscure or conceal these payments, including by using fake invoices and sham contracts — conduct for which SHEA was convicted at trial of obstruction of justice.
In imposing these sentences on KOLFAGE and BADOLATO, Judge Torres noted that “this was no ordinary financial fraud,” because when victims donated to We Build the Wall, “they were expressing their views about a political issue that was important to them.” Noting that the offense cast doubt on the efficacy of political involvement and that the scheme would “undoubtedly have a chilling effect” on political donations, Judge Torres remarked that “the fraud perpetrated by Mr. Kolfage and Mr. Badolato went well beyond defrauding individual donors. They hurt us all.”
KOLFAGE, 41, of Miramar Beach, Florida, and BADOLATO, 58, of Cocoa, Florida, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. KOLFAGE also pled guilty to tax and wire fraud charges originally filed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
SHEA, 52, of Castle Rock, Colorado, was convicted after trial of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and obstruction of justice, and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Torres on June 13, 2023.
In addition to the prison terms, KOLFAGE was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $17,872,106 and pay restitution in the amount of $2,877,414. BADOLATO was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $1,414,368 and pay restitution in the amount of $1,414,368. Judge Torres also separately ordered forfeiture of $1,376,597.39 of funds held by We Build the Wall and real property located in Sunland Park, New Mexico, on which We Build the Wall had constructed a portion of a wall.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.