MAYOR ADAMS, DOT ANNOUNCE APPROVAL OF FIRST APPLICATION TO TEST AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN NEW YORK CITY WITH TRAINED SAFETY SPECIALIST BEHIND STEERING WHEEL

 

Waymo Permitted to Begin Testing Autonomous Vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn with Trained Specialist Behind Wheel at All Times Under Nation’s Strictest Safety Rules  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced that DOT has granted Waymo its first-ever permit to begin testing a limited number of autonomous vehicles (AV) in parts of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn under the nation’s strictest AV safety rules, including a requirement to have a trained AV-specialist behind the wheel at all times. Launched by the Adams administration last year, the city’s robust safety requirements have been established for responsible and safe AV testing in New York City. The rigorous permitting program ensures all approved applicants are ready to safely and proficiently test their technology in the country’s most dynamic and complex urban environment. 

  

“We’re a tech-friendly administration and we’re always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City is proud to welcome Waymo to test this new technology in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as we know this testing is only the first step in moving our city further into the 21st century. As we continue to implement responsible innovation, we will always prioritize street safety.” 

  

“As autonomous vehicle technology expands across the country, DOT has put in place comprehensive safety guidelines to ensure safe, responsible testing on our city’s streets,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “These requirements will help ensure that the development of this technology is focused, first and foremost, on the safety of everyone who shares our busy city streets.” 

  

“With over 10 million rides completed in five major U.S. cities and a strong safety record, we’re proud to be working with leaders to lay the groundwork to bring this life saving technology to New Yorkers one day, beginning with receiving the first-ever permit issued in the city to drive autonomously,” said Annabel Chang, head of U.S. state and local public policy, Waymo. “We believe it is essential for companies to collaborate directly with cities on the rollout of autonomous technology and are pleased to have reached this next step in New York City.”  

  

“Roadway safety for all New Yorkers is quite simply one of the most important issues today,” said Paige Carbone, regional executive director, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) New York. “Autonomous vehicles hold the exciting promise of preventing deaths and injuries caused by behavioral factors, including impaired driving, if deployed responsibly and safely and in collaboration with the right community and city stakeholders. We welcome this next step for New Yorkers as Waymo receives the first permit of its kind.”  

  

As part of their permit to operate within New York City, Waymo is required to coordinate closely with DOT through regular meetings and data reporting and Waymo must certify that they are adhering to the industry’s best practices related to cybersecurity. In addition to receiving DOT approval, Waymo has also obtained necessary permits from the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles. Waymo will be permitted to test up to eight autonomous vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until late September 2025. After the pilot testing period, Waymo will have the opportunity to apply for an extension to their pilot testing period. Finally, DOT’s approval strictly relates to testing AV technology — the use of autonomous vehicles for for-hire service is currently prohibited by New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) rules, and any company providing for-hire service must comply with TLC rules, including by obtaining a TLC license. 

  

Permits Filed for 2704 Dewitt Place in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a three-story residential building at 2704 Dewitt Place in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx. Located between Fish Avenue and Young Avenue, the lot is near Gun Hill Road subway station, served by the 5 train. Lin Kumbullaj in Kiri Construction Corp. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 28-foot-tall development will yield 6,621 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have ten residences, most likely condos based on the average unit scope of 662 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a cellar and a 20-foot-long front yard.

Mohammad Badaly of Badaly Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in September 2024 for the two-story structure on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

VCJC News & Notes 8/22/25

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 8/22/25 @ 7:25 pm
   Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely. 
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 8/23/25@ 8:28 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.
   

2. Shabbos parsha
   Here’s a short summary of this week’s parsha.

   Parashat Re’eh 5785 / פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה

   23 August 2025 / 29 Av 5785

   Parashat Re’eh is the 47th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.

   Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

   Re’eh (“See”) details a series of laws in advance of the Israelites’ entrance into the Land of Israel. These include the obligation to destroy idolatry, laws of tithing and charity, dietary laws, holiday laws, and the prohibition of offering sacrifices outside of the place designated by God. [1]

   
   

3. Rosh Chodesh Elul

   Sunday and Monday, 7/24 and 7/25

   
   

4. 2025 High Holiday Greetings
   VCJC is again offering ads to be run in the Center Light for you to wish your friends and neighbors a Healthy, Happy New Year.  See our blog post about. Note that the deadline is 8/31/25 - and earlier is better!

   
   

5. A Plea from the NY Blood Center

   
   

   This summer was and continues to be one of our most challenging and certainly August even more so with last-minute Vacations and back-to-school preparations for many of our donors.

   While I know that you have already run a blood drive this summer at Van Cortlandt Jewish Center, I am hoping you might help as we head into and out of the Labor Day Holiday.  We are hopeful you can assist NYBC by making an additional push in your area to increase donor participation at NYBC open blood drives and Donor Centers and share our blood drive locator.  Please help us meet the needs of our area’s patients. The number 1 reason people don’t donate is that they were not asked.  Any messaging you can share with members of your organization to make this ask would be greatly appreciated.

   From all of us at NYBC — thank you for your generosity, your time, and the hope you give to so many.

   With deep gratitude,

   Michele Lariviere

   Sr. Director, NYBC Donor Recruitment

   
   
   
   
    

6. From the Derfner Judaica Museum
   Join Us for Fantastical Realities and Related Programs this Fall

   
   

   Reception and Artists' Talk

   Sunday, September 14, 1:30 p.m. in person

   R.S.V.P. art@riverspring.org or 718-581-1596

   
   

   AND

   
   

   OPEN HOUSE NEW YORK: Guided Exhibition Tour

   Sunday, October 19, 1:30 p.m. in person

   Reserve a spot art@riverspring.org or 718-581-1596
   

   
   

   To learn more about Open House New York, click here.

   
   
   AND

   Creating Fantastical Spaces

   Join the Museum's Senior Curator for a Free Virtual Talk

   Tuesday, October 28, 2 p.m. on Zoom

   Click here to register
    

   5901 Palisade Avenue

   Riverdale, New York 10471

   718-581-1596

   www.derfner.org
   

7. Buy a shirt, support VCJC
   JpodPlus, operated by Jack Kleinfeld, will donate all profits made from the sale of its Bring them home, NOW, T-shirt to VCJC.  The shirt is available in adult, youth long sleeve and youth short sleeve tees. The shirts are available in several colors and will be shipped directly to the buyer from the Print On Demand manufacturer.  The adult version in black is shown below along with a few of the available colors.
   Other shirts and Print on Demand products can be seen at the store site.

Our mailing address is:

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463 

Safer Streets: Governor Hochul Announces Major Drop in Gun Violence Across New York, Shootings Down 14%

GIVE Communities Report 48 Fewer Shootings and Nearly 100 Fewer People Shot in First Seven Months of 2025

Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse Lead the Way With Double-Digit Declines in Gun Violence

New York City Sees Continued Reductions in Shootings

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that shooting incidents with injury in communities that participate in the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative dropped 14 percent in the first seven months of 2025, thanks to record state investments and the work of the local law enforcement agencies and community organizations across the state. New statistics from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services also show a 21 percent decrease in shooting deaths compared to the same period in 2024.

“Gun violence in New York is falling as a direct result of our record investments in public safety and prevention initiatives,” Governor Hochul said. “As we work with our public safety partners to make real progress in the fight against gun crimes, I remain committed to investing in programs that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and keep our communities safe.”

Newly released data comes from the 28 police departments outside of New York City participating in GIVE. These agencies account for roughly 90 percent of violent crimes involving firearms and 85 percent of all violent crime reported outside the five boroughs. Since 2021, when Governor Hochul took office, shootings statewide have fallen by more than 50 percent and murders by 30 percent.

Governor Hochul recently announced $36 million in GIVE funding, marking the third consecutive year of record-level support for the program. When comparing January 1 through July 31, 2025 to the same period last year, GIVE police departments reported:

• 303 shooting incidents with injury, down from 351
• 356 individuals shot, down from 455
• 55 gun-violence-related deaths, 15 fewer than the 70 reported in 2024

Four cities saw significant reductions in shooting incidents with injury during the same timeframe:

• Albany: 53 percent decline
• Buffalo: 25 percent decline
• Syracuse: 10 percent decline
• Rochester: 8 percent decline

New York City also experienced notable declines. Through Aug. 17, the NYPD reported a nearly 20 percent decrease in shootings (459 vs. 572) and a 19 percent drop in shooting victims (564 vs. 700) compared to the same period in 2024.

GIVE data for each of the 28 participating police departments, along with an interactive dashboard featuring current-year and historical statistics, is available on the DCJS statistics page.

The FY26 Enacted Budget sustained $347 million in unprecedented funding secured by Governor Hochul for gun violence prevention programs, including GIVE, and supports additional initiatives to improve public safety, expand support for victims and survivors of crime and strengthen communities.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). 

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR HIS ROLE IN ROBBERY THAT LED TO MURDER

 

Defendant Helped Case Eatery for Customers with Jewelry, Drove Getaway Car After Victim Slain for Fake Gold Chain

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for Murder, Attempted Murder and other charges for being the getaway driver in an armed robbery that left one man dead and another seriously wounded. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant participated in a calculated armed robbery, during which one man was fatally shot and another wounded, all for a chain that turned out to be fake gold. The defendant was the getaway driver, and the shooters were never caught. Now he will spend many years in prison for this vicious crime.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Kadeem Edwards, 24, of 1841 Cross Bronx Expressway, the Bronx, was sentenced on August 20, 2025, to 23 years to life in prison for second-degree Murder, 20 years plus five years post release supervision for first-degree Robbery, 20 years plus five years post release supervision for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and 15 years plus five years post release supervision for first-degree Attempted Assault, all sentences to run concurrently, by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Rosenblueth. He was found guilty by a jury of the charges on December 18, 2024.

According to the facts brought out at trial, on November 13, 2021, at approximately 4:50 PM, in front of the Maribella Paradise Restaurant at 1460 Macombs Road in the Highbridge neighborhood, the defendant and three unapprehended accomplices were sitting in a Mercedes looking for customers wearing jewelry. 

When Jonathan Pena, 32, and Sergio Ortiz 46, exited the restaurant to smoke a cigarette, Edwards’ accomplices approached them, pointing 9-mm pistols at them. As one of the robbers grabbed a chain from Pena’s neck, Ortiz turned to run back into the restaurant, and another accomplice fired multiple shots, striking both Pena and Ortiz in their torsos. The robbers jumped back in the car and Edwards sped away. Pena died at a hospital, and Ortiz survived serious internal injuries. 

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Patrick Flatley of the Bronx Homicide Squad, NYPD Detective Jeffrey Lehn of the NYPD Auto Crime Unit, and NYPD Police Officers Gregory Piro and Andrew Alvarado, both formerly of the 44th Precinct for their work on the investigation. 

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Manhattan

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Lahione Soto, who died on August 17, 2025 following an encounter with an off-duty New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer in Manhattan. Under New York state law, OSI investigates every matter in which an officer of the law may have caused the death of a civilian.

At approximately 9:46 p.m. on August 17, an off-duty NYPD officer was on West 173rd Street in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan when he encountered Mr. Soto and another man. The off-duty officer discharged his service weapon, striking Mr. Soto. Mr. Soto was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a gun at the scene.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change. 

U.S. Navy Sailor Convicted of Spying for China

 

Yesterday, a federal jury convicted Jinchao Wei, also known as Patrick Wei, of espionage and export violations. Wei was an active-duty U.S. Navy sailor stationed at Naval Base San Diego when he agreed to sell Navy secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer for $12,000.

Following a five-day trial and one day of deliberation, the jury convicted Wei of six counts, including conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of, and conspiracy to export, technical data related to defense articles in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Wei is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1.

“The defendant, who took an oath to protect our Nation and was entrusted with a security clearance as a petty officer in the United States Navy, sold out his country for $12,000,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “He violated his oath, betrayed his uniform and fellow sailors, and turned his back on his adopted nation for money. This verdict serves as a warning to those who do not take seriously the solemn obligations of their positions of trust or their duty to this Nation. Do not be tempted by easy money because you will be prosecuted and sent to prison.”

“The defendant’s actions represent an egregious betrayal of the trust placed in him as a member of the U.S. military,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. “By trading military secrets to the People’s Republic of China for cash, he jeopardized not only the lives of his fellow sailors but also the security of the entire nation and our allies. The jury’s verdict serves as a crucial reminder that the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute traitors.”

“Jinchao Wei swore oaths to become a U.S. Navy sailor and a U.S. citizen. He then committed espionage by sending photographs and videos of U.S. Navy vessels, ship movement information, technical manuals, and weapons capabilities to a Chinese intelligence officer,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “China continues to aggressively target U.S. military members with and without clearances. This guilty verdict shows the FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone who threatens U.S. national security. We encourage past and present U.S. government personnel to beware of anyone offering to pay for their information or opinions and to report any suspicious contacts to the FBI.”

According to evidence presented at trial, Wei was a machinist’s mate for the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Essex. He also held a U.S. security clearance and had access to sensitive national defense information about the ship’s various systems.

The evidence introduced at trial showed that Wei was approached in February 2022 via social media by someone who claimed to be a naval enthusiast. The individual was in reality a Chinese intelligence officer. Between February 2022 and his arrest in August 2023, as their relationship developed, Wei, at the request of the officer, sent extensive information about the Essex, including photographs, videos, and about its weapons. He also sent detailed information about other U.S. Navy ships that he took from restricted U.S. Navy computer systems. In exchange for this information, the intelligence officer paid Wei more than $12,000 over 18 months.

During the trial, the government presented evidence including conversations and other messages that Wei exchanged with his Chinese handler. These communications showed the efforts they made to cover their tracks, the tasks issued by his handler, and how Wei was paid for his work.

In addition to the two espionage charges, Wei was convicted of four counts of conspiring to violate and violating the Arms Export Control Act. That law prohibits individuals from willfully exporting technical data related to a defense article without a license from the Department of State. The government presented evidence that Wei conspired with his Chinese handler to export certain technical information which required a license for export.

The FBI and NCIS investigated the case, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Department of State and Transportation Security Administration.

BROOKLYN CARDIOLOGIST SENTENCED TO 37 MONTHS IN PRISON IN CONNECTION WITH HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND BRIBERY SCHEME

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that NIRANJAN MITTAL was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams to 37 months in prison in connection with a years’ long health care fraud and bribery scheme.  As part of that scheme, MITTAL, a Brooklyn-based cardiologist, paid physicians for patient referrals.  The defendant also fabricated patient records in order to bill for medically unnecessary vascular procedures.  In February 2025, MITTAL pled guilty to one count of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with the scheme. 

“At the core of our healthcare system is patient-doctor trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Mittal abused that trust, turning his offices into ‘patient mills and subjecting trusting patients to procedures they did not need.  This sentence sends a deterrent message to doctors and the healthcare industry:  if you abuse patient trust for profit, you will face justice.” 

According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings:

Since at least 2016, MITTAL operated a medical clinic in Brooklyn, New York (the “Brooklyn Clinic”), with a patient base consisting of many individuals of limited economic means who were insured by government health care programs.  In order to ensure a steady flow of new patients to the Brooklyn Clinic, MITTAL paid rental payments to other providers pursuant to purported “leases” for office space.  Often, however, the timing and amount of the payments bore no relation to the terms of those leases.  In fact, MITTAL made the purported lease payments to induce other providers to refer patients to MITTAL’s staff members, who, at the direction of MITTAL, periodically traveled to the providers’ offices, performed basic tests on the referred patients, and convinced the patients to attend follow-up appointments at the Brooklyn Clinic.

Once patients arrived at the Brooklyn Clinic, often without understanding why they had been referred to the practice, they underwent a series of diagnostic tests and follow-up office visits.  These tests and office visits generally were not based on the patients’ actual treatment needs.  Rather, MITTAL and others acting at his direction ordered these tests and office visits to create documentation sufficient to justify subjecting patients to unnecessary peripheral vascular interventional procedures—surgical procedures focused on clearing purported blockages in the blood vessels in patients’ legs.  MITTAL directed others to, among other things, fabricate the descriptions of patients’ symptoms recorded in the practice’s office visit notes, varying the symptoms across patients so that it was not apparent that the symptoms were fake.

As a result of MITTAL’s scheme, patients at the Brooklyn Clinic, many of whom were already in poor health, routinely underwent medically unnecessary vascular interventions at MITTAL’s office, with some patients undergoing 10 or more interventional procedures over the course of several years.  The patients’ conditions often did not improve, despite these repeated interventions.  Between 2016 and 2023, insurers paid over $40 million to MITTAL’s practice for claims from patients who were referred by doctors who received improper “rent” payments from MITTAL.

In addition to the prison term, MITTAL, 72, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit the proceeds traceable to his offense.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations.