This week's guest is Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato on her reelection bid for the 13th City Council seat, Trump - Putin - Ukraine, Manmdani - Cuomo, who will be the next City Council speaker, Citibike to check the age of riders, and is New York City in a condom shortage, live at 12 PM or anytime on YouTube at the link above.
The full letter is available here.
Friends,
Even though summer is winding down, it doesn't mean that the fun has to end!
Join me, and Team JZ, TOMORROW for a FREE Family Fun Day and Back-To-School Giveaway. There will be FREE games, fun for all ages, and FREE backpacks for your child*!
Here are the details:
Looking forward to spending an afternoon together as we close out another incredible Bronx summer.
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 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.
Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!
If you require an aliyah or would like to lead services, read from the torah or haftorah please speak to one of the gabbaim.
23 August 2025 / 29 Av 5785
Parashat Re’eh is the 47th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
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]
Rosh Chodesh Elul
Sunday and Monday, 7/24 and 7/25
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
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.
Creating Fantastical Spaces
Join the Museum's Senior Curator for a Free Virtual Talk
Tuesday, October 28, 2 p.m. on Zoom
5901 Palisade Avenue
Riverdale, New York 10471
718-581-1596
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Our mailing address is:
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:
Four cities saw significant reductions in shooting incidents with injury during the same timeframe:
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).
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.
