Bronx Jewish Community Council - Summer News

Random Act of Kindness Summer news We hope your summer has been relaxing and satisfying so far.  We are busy at BJCC taking care of our clients and preparing for the fall.  These are the ways you can help!  Thanks so much for your interest and continued caring. Emergency needs We are in need of some gently used furniture: small kitchen table and 2-4 chairs, some end tables, night table and a coffee table. If you have any of these to donate,  please call Niti at 917-693-3084 to make arrangements.   Save the dates for fall Volunteer Opportunities September 18th - Pickup 2-3 packages at BethEl Synagogue in New Rochelle (on North Ave) for delivery to Bronx clients between  10am  -12pm.. December 11th -  Project Hope Chanukah delivery out of traditional Coop City (2050 Bartow Ave) and Amalgamated (Gale Ave) 9-11 am.   So much more to come in the fall! To volunteer, please contact Niti Minkove, BJCC Director of Volunteers at 917-693-3084 or nminkove@bjcconline.org. Bronx Jewish Community Council,  2930 Wallace Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda - Please join us at our Parkchester Townhall

Thursday August 2nd, 6:30 PM, at St. Paul's Church 1891 Mcgraw Avenue. 

KLEIN, DINOWITZ & COHEN HOST E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENT

Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, and Councilman Andrew Cohen, joined by the Lower East Side Ecology Center and Tekserve, hosted an electronic waste recycling event on Sunday at the Spuyten Duyvil Branch of the New York Public Library. Riverdalians came out to go green and recycle any and all of their unwanted electronics. Residents disposed of items such as working and non-working computers, monitors, scanners, keyboards, computer accessories, televisions, video cassette recorders, phones and PDA’s.

“We must continue to raise environmental awareness and find ways to protect our planet.  Today’s event truly illustrated the importance of recycling.  I thank the residents for their strong participation today and expressing their concern for the ecological future of our community.  Together, we can make a difference,” said Senator Klein.

“I was delighted at how successful this event was. Recycling is a critical part of protecting our environment and while the e-waste recycling law is hugely beneficial for our city, it can be a burden for some to find a place to recycle their e-waste. I’m especially proud at how positively the community responded – it’s clear that there is no shortage of environmental stewardship in this great community,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.  

“Scores of my constituents were pleased to part with their unwanted electronic clutter at this very timely event in Spuyten Duyvil, ably coordinated by the hard-working Lower East Side Ecology Center staff. An amazing truckload of computers, printers, monitors, and other electronic waste was wrapped up and sent for recycling or reuse by the end of the day.  I was happy to play a part in making this happen,” said Councilman Cohen.

Senator Klein has hosted other e-waste recycling events in Woodlawn and Throggs Neck with similar success. The process makes recycling these bulky items a breeze for residents. Senator Klein expects to sponsor additional e-waste recycling events throughout the 34th Senate District in the coming months.

Friends of Van Cortlandt Park to receive National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Grant

The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are thrilled to announce that we will be receiving a National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program grant for the second year in a row.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced today that 58 community-led wetland, stream and coastal restoration projects across the nation have been awarded approximately $2.2 million in grants. The grantees have committed an additional $5.2 million in local project support, creating a total conservation investment of more than $7.4 million in projects that will restore wildlife habitat and urban waters. These projects will engage thousands of volunteers, students and local residents in community-based conservation projects.

The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are one of the 58 recipients of this funding which will fund their new Wetland Internship for a Healthier Bronx project.  This funding will allow FVCP to hire 14 high school students to work with us during the school year to complete various projects to improve and monitor Tibbetts Brook and its wetlands in Van Cortlandt Park.  This project will be a continuation of our successful Wetland Stewardship for a Healthier Bronx which was launched in September 2015 with funding from NFWF last year.  

For more information on the NFWF funding:

http://www.nfwf.org/whoweare/mediacenter/pr/Pages/fivestar_16-0726.aspx

A Tree Branch Waits to Come Down in Bedford Park

  If you look closely at the upper left of this tree you will see that a large branch has broken off from the tree and is resting upon another tree branch. The area has been roped off so no one will walk or park under this large tree branch which can come down at any time. The photo was taken just after 2 PM as you can see the sky is clear. The forecast was for thunder storms and heavy rain later in the evening. The location is the Mosholu Parkway service road between East 204th Street and Lisbon Place. 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Join us and "Mix It Up" at VISIONS' Celebrity Bartenders Event

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York 

Donald Trump Recognizes the Value of Evangelicals in America

   You should know that in his acceptance speech on Thursday, July 21, 2016, as the Republican Party Nominee for President of the United States of America, Donald Trump said the following:  “I would like to thank the evangelical community because, I will tell you what, the support they have given me — and I'm not sure I totally deserve it — has been so amazing. And has been such a big reason I'm here tonight. They have much to contribute to our policies.”

It is important for you to know that whether you like Donald Trump or not, he is the only candidate who has publicly recognized the importance of Evangelicals in our nation.

Everyone else mocks us calling us fanatics, religious zealots, radicals, repressive and oppressive.

In front of millions of viewers, Donald Trump told the world that he values Evangelicals.

I, for one, am an Evangelical. I am a Democrat, and to be more specific, I am a Conservative Democrat, and everyone knows it.  I have been the Pastor of the Christian Community Neighborhood Church for many years here in the Bronx, and I also serve as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, which is comprised of more than 150 Evangelical ministers in the Metropolitan area.

My dear reader, I am excited and very glad that the work of Evangelicals has been recognized from such a prominent official who is the running for the Presidency of the United States of America.

I hope and pray that other leaders, including Hillary Clinton, Governors, Mayors and other elected officials will start to pay attention to the Evangelical movement and our socially conservative values.

I pray that they will publicly recognize that we are part of America, unlike some who have publicly stated that we are not welcome in places like New York.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Here we have the makings of another race where Ruben Diaz will be on one side, and Ruben Diaz will be on the other side. This makes Ruben Diaz a winner no matter who wins. It appears that Donald Trump is smarter than Ted Cruz or John Kasich, as Trump won New York in the Republican primary without having to pander to the likes of those who are looking to get those famous TRUMP DOLLARS now.

I do hope you are feeling better Senator Diaz Sr., and you were missed at the Abrazo Dominicano. 

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Kicks Off 2016 Summer Concert Series in Northwest Bronx

    Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz welcomed members of the community to the first two concerts of his 2016 Summer Concert Series. The first show featuring The Gene DiNapoli Variety All-Star show packed the theater at the Riverdale YM-YWHA with over 200 people, while the second show featured Grammy Award-winning musician John Benitez and his Latin Jazz Band at the Amalgamated Train Park on Orloff Avenue and Gale Place in the Bronx. The concert series is an annual event every summer in the Northwest Bronx and is cosponsored by Assemblyman Dinowitz and the Bronx Council on the Arts.  

  “There is no better way to spend a beautiful summer evening than by listening to talented musicians play music with friends and family,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “I was so excited to see hundreds of community members attend these concerts which are excellent opportunities for people of all ages to relax and enjoy quality music together. I am proud to partner with the Bronx Council on the Arts to sponsor this series of free concerts across the northwest Bronx. 

  The Gene DiNapoli Variety All-Star Show kicked off the Concert Series at the Riverdale YM-YWHA on Tuesday. For the third year in a row, Gene DiNapoli not only brought his incredible musical style reminiscent of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, but also the talent of several different acts and performers that captivated the audience. From a 106 year old stand-up comedian, to a very convincing rendition of “Candyman” by an incredible Sammy Davis Jr. impersonator, the Gene DiNapoli Variety All-Star Show had the crowded theater of 200 community members singing in their seats and dancing in the aisles.

  The second concert took place in the heart of the Amalgamated Housing Cooperative, just south of Van Cortlandt Park. Hundreds of senior citizens, families with young children, and everyone in between gathered on benches, folding chairs, and along fences to listen to the music. After brief words of welcome from Assemblyman Dinowitz and State Senator Jeff Klein, John Benitez and his band took over, playing a two-hour set. The band’s rousing trombone, saxophone, drums, and bass solos created a fun, festive atmosphere, and dozens of attendees even took to dancing.

This week’s two concerts were the first of eight free shows. The remaining six include:

• Monday, August 1st – The Just Nuts Party Dance Band at Henry Hudson Park, 7 p.m.

• Thursday, August 4th – Ginetta’s Vendetta at the Amalgamated Train Park, 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, August 9th – Mystery Tour Beatles Tribute Band at Henry Hudson Park, 7 p.m.

• Thursday, August 11th – Orquesta SCC at the Williamsbridge Oval, 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, August 16th – Donald Vega at the Amalgamated Train Park, 7 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 17th – NY Skyscrapers and Friends at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, 7 p.m.