photos: Achim Lanchevsky 

photos: Shloime B.

Police are looking for an armed robbery suspect who is believed to be behind three similar robberies in Brooklyn, including one in Williamsburg.

The latest incident happened Friday afternoon inside a business at 284 Broadway in the 90th Precinct. A 23-year-old cashier was approached by an unidentified man who made a threatening statement and then pulled out a gun. The suspect took cash from the register before running out on foot and heading north on Marcy Avenue. 

On September 11, a similar robbery took place at 755 Flatbush Avenue in the 70th Precinct. The suspect threatened the 26-year-old cashier with a gun and took cash from the register and the victim’s cellphone before fleeing toward Lenox Road.

The first robbery happened July 12 at 1037 Nostrand Avenue in the 71st Precinct. The suspect threatened the 23-year-old worker, pulled out a gun and took cash from the register and several cellphones before fleeing southbound on Nostrand Avenue on a two-wheeled device.

No injuries were reported in any of the three incidents.

The NYPD has released images of the suspect and is asking anyone who recognizes him or has information about the robberies to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

By Y.M. Lowy

The Viener Mosdos in Boro Park launched a major $15 million expansion project that will provide much-needed additional space for the growing Vien girls school.

The school’s current seven-story building has become increasingly crowded as enrollment continues to grow, leaving the school with limited room for its expanding student body.

As part of the expansion, the mosdos purchased a new building on 60th Street between 13th and 14th Avenues, which will undergo renovations and become a permanent additional building for the girls school. The new facility will provide space for additional classrooms while the existing building will continue to be used.

Recently, the Viener Rebbe visited the new property and with his encouragement and support, the contract to purchase the building was signed, marking an important step forward in the major expansion.

The new building will give the school the additional space it needs to accommodate its growing enrollment and provide students with a more spacious and comfortable environment for learning.

Yisroel R.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has launched a new citywide effort to make it easier for thousands of New Yorkers who lost their SNAP benefits under new federal restrictions to reapply and get back into the program.

Around 26,500 New Yorkers lost their SNAP benefits after new federal work requirements went into effect. With those residents now able to reapply, the City is reaching out directly to those affected and offering help with the process.

As part of the effort, the City will help residents reapply for SNAP and determine whether they qualify for an exemption from the federal work requirements. Those who are required to meet the new rules can also receive help finding jobs, job-training programs, education, volunteer work, or community service that can count toward the requirements.

The City is working with more than 100 community organizations to provide qualifying opportunities and help residents navigate the new rules. New Yorkers looking for assistance can also call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669).

The new effort follows months of outreach by the Mamdani administration ahead of the federal changes. The City says it knocked on 10,000 doors, made 40,000 direct phone calls, and held dozens of trainings and events to help residents understand the new requirements and determine whether they qualified for exemptions.

According to the Mayor’s Office, those efforts helped more than 220,000 New Yorkers maintain their SNAP benefits despite the new federal requirements.

The latest push is now focused on the approximately 26,500 residents who did lose their benefits, helping them navigate the reapplication process and, when possible, regain access to the food assistance program.

photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

NEW YORK — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations on September 24, following a lengthy war of words with Mayor Mamdani, whom the Prime Minister has repeatedly accused of fueling antisemitism because of his views on the Israeli government.

Ahead of the address, Torah Jews anticipated that Mr. Netanyahu would use his moment at the podium to further inflame rhetoric against the mayor and sow resentment in New York City by claiming that Jews are unsafe because the Israeli government is being criticized.

As anticipated, Mr. Netanyahu launched an all-out attack against Mayor Mamdani during his international address, accusing him of making Jews unsafe and fueling antisemitism. Torah Jews strongly rejected Netanyahu’s characterization of Jewish life in New York and his attempt to turn Jewish safety into a political weapon against a mayor critical of Israel.

In response, Torah Jews placed a major advertisement in Times Square, spending thousands of dollars raised from Jewish New Yorkers frustrated by Netanyahu’s portrayal of their communities and his repeated use of Jewish identity in Israel’s political battles.

The initiative was led by Rabbi Moshe Dovid Katz, founder of Torah Jews, who personally spearheaded an intensive fundraising campaign funded dollar by dollar by Jewish New Yorkers who feel silenced and misrepresented and want their voices heard.

Explaining the motivation behind the advertisement, Rabbi Moshe Dovid Katz stated:

“I personally raised thousands of dollars, dollar by dollar, from Jewish New Yorkers who are deeply frustrated by Netanyahu’s weaponization of antisemitism to bash Mayor Mamdani and exploit Jews to further Israel’s political goals. There are countless Jews in our city who feel silenced and misrepresented. We wanted our cry to be heard.”

Rabbi Moshe Dovid Katz emphasized that Torah Jews rejects the association of Jewish identity with Israeli nationality and firmly maintains that Zionism and Judaism are fundamentally distinct.

“We are deeply pained by the repeated exploitation of our sacred religion to advance the agenda of a foreign government. Jews are not extensions of Israel, Zionism is not Judaism, and Netanyahu does not represent us. We want to live in peace and harmony with our neighbors, without being dragged into political battles that are not ours.”

Rabbi Moshe Dovid Katz also expressed concern about the consequences of treating Jewish communities as representatives of the Israeli government.

“Netanyahu and his allies claim to care deeply about antisemitism, yet they ceaselessly conflate Jewish identity with Israel. We believe this conflation fuels resentment against Jews and undermines the peace and harmony we cherish. Our communities deserve to be recognized for who we are, not as representatives of a foreign government.”

The advertisement was displayed at 1557 Broadway in Times Square and ran until the onset of the Sabbath.

By Y.M. Lowy

The Fort Hamilton Parkway subway station has gotten a major cleanup and makeover, with MTA crews completing a series of repairs and upgrades at the outdoor station.

The work was completed during the first week of September, when crews took advantage of the warm weather to finish the project.

More than 36,000 square feet of station surfaces were scraped, repaired, primed and painted, including ceilings, walls, beams, floors, columns, entrance structures, gates and railings.

Crews also refinished five benches, painted the station booth and five trash cans, and repaired and painted 20 doors. About 1,200 square feet of rubbing board along the platforms was inspected and fortified to help prevent damage when trains enter and leave the station.

The project also included replacing damaged sections of flooring and concrete, fixing and replacing LED lighting, cleaning 12 drains and replacing corroded expansion plates that allow the tracks to expand and contract with changes in temperature.

The work is part of a larger station improvement program that has now been completed at more than 180 subway stations across the city. The program has included millions of square feet of repainting, replacement of wall and floor tiles, drain cleaning and repairs to benches and platform rubbing boards.

Yisroel R.

A familiar piece of Williamsburg’s streetscape is getting an upgrade, as older U.S. Mail relay boxes are being replaced with brand-new models across the neighborhood.

The relay boxes, used by postal workers during their daily routes, have long been stationed at various locations throughout Williamsburg. The older green boxes are now being removed and replaced with newer units as part of the ongoing rollout.

The newly installed boxes will also feature a different type of locking system, adding an updated security feature to the equipment used by postal workers while making their rounds.

Residents may begin noticing the newer boxes appearing at more locations as the replacements continue throughout Williamsburg, gradually swapping out the older models that have been in place for years.

The change is a relatively small one, but it gives another everyday piece of neighborhood infrastructure a fresh look while updating the equipment used behind the scenes to keep local mail moving.

By Y.M. Lowy

Boro Park residents passing by 13th Avenue and 47th Street may have noticed a new name on the local bank branch, as the longtime Flushing Bank location is now transitioning to OceanFirst Bank.

The change follows OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s $579 million acquisition of Flushing Financial Corporation, the parent company of Flushing Bank. The merger was completed on June 1, 2026, bringing Flushing Bank’s branches under OceanFirst.

The 13th Avenue branch is among the locations making the transition, with new OceanFirst Bank signage already in place.

OceanFirst has said that the existing Flushing Bank branches will remain open, with local customers continuing to have access to their accounts and banking services as the transition takes place. Current cards and checks are also expected to continue working during the technology transition.

photos: Achim Lanchevsky

YS GOLD 

This week’s captured moment takes us to the edge of Boro Park and to a nusach Ashkenaz shul that is still active. 

Can our readers pinpoint the location? 

__ 

Answer to last week’s captured moment: 

The Sukkah in question is—as a number of our astute readers have pointed out—the Bobover Sukkah on 47th Street.

By Y.M. Lowy

A new traffic light has been approved for the intersection of Wythe Avenue and North 3rd Street, following a study by the NYC Department of Transportation.

The approval is the first step in the process, with the actual installation expected to take time. DOT will first conduct a field survey of the intersection before designing the new signal system.

Once the design is completed, the project will move through permitting and coordination with utility companies before construction can begin.

The installation will include underground work for power and communications, a new pole foundation, the traffic signal poles and signal heads, as well as an accessible pedestrian signal.

The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the intersection, but installing a new traffic signal typically takes at least six months.

By Y.M. Lowy

Boro Park residents with questions or issues involving their homes and buildings will have an opportunity to speak directly with representatives from the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) this week.

Councilmember Simcha Felder is hosting HPD representatives at his district office on Thursday, October 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 1514 60th Street, Suite 703.

Residents will be able to get assistance with a range of housing-related matters, including registering a building, preparing to apply for affordable housing, understanding their rights and responsibilities, filing a housing complaint, financing building improvements and repairs, and resolving violations.

The HPD representatives will be available throughout the day to answer questions and help residents understand the resources and services available to them.

Yisroel R.

Williamsburg residents who rely on the L train to travel between Brooklyn and Manhattan should prepare for major service disruptions over two weekends in October, as the MTA suspends service between Lorimer Street in Brooklyn and 8th Avenue in Manhattan for communications improvements.

The shutdowns are scheduled for October 2–5 and October 9–12, beginning each Friday at 11:15 p.m. and continuing through Monday at 5:00 a.m. During both weekends, there will be no L train service at Bedford Avenue, leaving Williamsburg commuters without their usual direct subway connection to Manhattan.

L trains will continue operating in Brooklyn between Canarsie–Rockaway Parkway and Lorimer Street, with trains running approximately every eight minutes during the day and evening. Lorimer Street will serve as the last stop, with passengers traveling farther into Williamsburg or Manhattan required to use alternative transportation.

To accommodate affected passengers, the MTA will provide free shuttle buses in Brooklyn, making stops at Bedford Avenue, Lorimer Street/Metropolitan Avenue, Hewes Street, and Marcy Avenue. Riders can connect to the G train at Metropolitan Avenue and the J and M trains at other designated stops.

Passengers traveling between Williamsburg and Manhattan can use the J or A trains, with transfers available at Broadway Junction. In Manhattan, free L92 shuttle buses and M14A buses will serve stops along 14th Street, connecting passengers with the F, M, and J trains at Delancey Street–Essex Street.

Residents planning to travel during either weekend are encouraged to allow additional travel time and plan alternative routes in advance. For updated service information, passengers can visit the MTA’s Planned Service Changes website or call 511.

Illustration photo: MTA/ Megan Armas

Yisroel R.

In a historic first for Bobover Chasidim, the Bobover Ruv Shlita will travel to Eretz Yisroel this winter for a major fundraising trip benefiting three large building projects of the rapidly expanding Bobover mosods.

The centerpiece of the trip will take place over Shabbos Shirah in the Old City of Yerushalayim, where the Ruv will spend an uplifting Shabbos together with a select group of major supporters. The special trip will be reserved exclusively for donors contributing $250,000 and up towards the building campaigns.

The campaign will benefit three major projects currently underway in Bobov: the large new Bobover shul in Yerushalayim, the new Yeshiva complex in Staten Island nearing completion, and the new Building of Simcha and Chesed being developed in Boro Park.

Beyond the fundraising portion of the historic visit, the Ruv is expected to remain in Eretz Yisroel for approximately ten additional days, giving the hundreds of Bobover families living there an opportunity to personally go into the Ruv with a kvittel.

Today, State Senator Sam Sutton and Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein released the following statements applauding the announcement that over 10,000 New York City children are finally being moved off the childcare voucher waitlist. The lawmakers emphasized that this monumental step was directly enabled by the state legislature’s landmark $1.2 billion expansion of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which was passed in the New York State Budget earlier this year with the strong support of Governor Kathy Hochul.

With New York City announcing today that they are beginning the administrative rollout to clear the backlog, Sutton and Eichenstein applauded this long-awaited relief that they championed during the state budget negotiations and celebrated today’s victory which is a direct result of the state fiscal victories secured in Albany during the budget.

“I’ll never stop working to make life more affordable for New Yorkers — and that’s why I took action to expand childcare access and help even more families save thousands of dollars per year,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a press release announcement today. “Our record investments in childcare across New York will enable communities statewide to continue this progress every day by connecting more families with the support they need and deserve.”

"While we are pleased to see the City finally processing these critical vouchers, let there be no mistake: this day was made possible by the hard work of the State Legislature and Governor Hochul," said State Senator Sam Sutton. "When we negotiated a historic $1.2 billion addition to childcare funding in the state budget, it was with the explicit intent of delivering direct, tangible relief to working families who have been stuck on waitlists for far too long."

"Families in our communities have been struggling under the crushing weight of childcare costs, and clearing this waitlist is an incredible victory," said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. "I want to thank Governor Hochul for championing this funding during the budget season. Proper childcare is a top priority for every parent and often families are forced to weigh the benefits of a quality care program while considering the prohibitive expenses involved. This new funding will ease the burden for thousands of families, allowing parents the much-needed relief during these challenging times."

Senator Sutton and Assembly Member Eichenstein remain committed to monitoring the administrative rollout to ensure that New York City processes these vouchers efficiently and without unnecessary bureaucratic delays, allowing families to access the state-funded care they were promised.

YS GOLD 

Over the joyous days of Sukkos, the Munkatcher kehillah lost a dear and beloved chaver who left this world following a long illness. 

Reb Yehoshua Gedalia Gelb was 77 years of age. 

Friends and acquaintances recall an individual who was known for his ehrlichkeit and his devotion to everything involving Torah and yiddishkeit, and Munkatcher Chasidim relate with nostalgia about the years that Reb Yehoshua Gedalia ben Moshe Tzvi served as the devoted gabbai of, ybl"ch, the Munkatcher Rebbe. He was known throughout the chassidus to fiercely guard the Rebbe's time and his kavod. He was deeply devoted to the Rebbe, shlit"a, and this will surely serve as a zechus for him as he ascends to the World of Truth. 

The niftar was unwell for many years, and left this world on Chol Hamoed Sukkos. 

The levaya took place in front of the Munkatcher Shul on Hoshanah Rabba night with the participation of many chassidim, family, friends and admirers. 

The niftar was laid to rest on the munkatcher chelka in New Jersey. 

Yehi zichro baruch.

YS GOLD

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reb Yisroel Dov Birnhack, z”l, a longtime Boro Park resident who is remembered for his ehrlichkeit, yiras Shamayim, and exemplary middos. He was in his 70’s.

The niftar leaves behind a beautiful Torah family and a sterling legacy.

Originally from a family of Stutchiner chassidim, Reb Yisroel was born in Berlin and spent his childhood years in England after his family fled the upheaval in Europe. After immigrating to the United States, he learned at Torah Vodaas and later at Beis Medrash Elyon, where he received semichah.

A quiet and unassuming individual, Reb Yisroel was known for his exceptional honesty and integrity. By profession, he worked as an accountant, but those who knew him remember him far more for the values he embodied — his dikduk hamitzvos, unwavering emunah, and refined middos.

He was privileged to establish a beautiful Torah home together with his wife, Mrs. Francoise Birnhack, and their family, raising a distinguished family of children and leaving behind generations who continue his legacy.

The levaya took place in Lakewood, where several of the Birnhack children reside, and Kevurah took place in Eretz Yisroel.

Yehi zichro baruch.

Yisroel R.

Thousands of New York City families who have spent months waiting for help covering the soaring cost of child care are finally set to receive relief, as Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration announced Monday that more than 10,000 children will be moved off the city’s child care assistance waitlist.

The move comes after the waitlist swelled to nearly 29,000 low-income children over the past year, leaving families who otherwise qualified for assistance without access to the heavily subsidized care. The Child Care Assistance Program provides vouchers for eligible children from six weeks through 13 years old, as well as children with special needs through age 19.

Over the coming weeks, the Administration for Children’s Services will begin inviting families on the waitlist to apply for vouchers, with invitations continuing on a rolling basis over the next several months. Eligible families will then be able to use the vouchers to cover child care at a provider of their choice, with priority given to families with lower incomes, those experiencing homelessness, and those with children who have special needs.

“For families struggling to make ends meet, and the providers who deliver them high-quality and consistent child care, access to vouchers is nothing short of transformational,” Mayor Mamdani said. “Today’s voucher expansion is a critical step in ensuring no family is left behind in our movement towards universal childcare.”

The expansion is being supported by funding from Governor Kathy Hochul, who committed $1.2 billion toward New York City child care initiatives, including $475 million specifically for child care vouchers. “Today’s historic free child care expansion will bring relief to thousands more families across New York City,” Governor Hochul said, adding that the state and city are working together toward universal child care.

The city has also updated its online child care map, allowing parents for the first time to search for licensed programs and filter the results to show providers that accept child care vouchers. The latest expansion follows a separate $5.2 million city investment eliminating out-of-pocket fees for families receiving the vouchers.

By Y.M. Lowy

As Sukkos comes to an end, many families take down their sukkahs and are left wondering what to do with all the panels, poles, and schach. It’s a familiar post-Yom Tov scene, sukkah parts stacked by the curb, unsure whether they’ll be picked up or left behind.

The Department of Sanitation reminds residents to follow regular bulk collection rules when discarding sukkah materials. Up to six bulk items can be placed out for pickup on your non-recycling, non-compost collection day. Items should go out the night before collection.

Wood should be tied in bundles no more than 2 feet high and 4 feet long, while rugs should be cut to 4-foot widths and tied in bundles no higher than 2 feet.

Proper disposal helps keep streets clear for the transition from Yom Tov back to everyday life.

For more details, visit the NYC Department of Sanitation’s resource page.

Photos: Dovid Jaroslawicz

Yisroel R.

After more than two decades of waiting, a long-promised 2.5-acre waterfront park is finally becoming a reality, with construction now underway on the $40 million Box Street Park in Greenpoint, right near Williamsburg.

The new park will turn the former site of an MTA facility into a beautiful public space along the water, with gardens, waterfront seating, a basketball court, picnic area, ADA-accessible paths, and a public restroom. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2028.

“Today, we are finally making good on a promise that Greenpoint families have been waiting decades to see fulfilled: turning a parking lot into a park,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. “Box Street Park will give New Yorkers a place to walk, play, rest and gather along the water, with lush gardens, open green space and pathways connecting neighbors to the waterfront.”

The new park will also fill an important missing piece along the Greenpoint waterfront by connecting the waterfront paths on both sides of the property. The park is also expected to eventually grow by another half-acre once the MTA moves an emergency response unit that is currently located on part of the site.

The $40 million project is fully funded, with $34.5 million coming from the Mayor’s Office, including an additional $2 million recently added by the Mamdani administration. Another $500,000 is coming from the City Council, with approximately $5 million coming from local developers.

Council Member Lincoln Restler celebrated the start of the project after years of pushing for the park to finally be built.

“More than 20 years ago, Greenpointers were promised a new park on Commercial Street as part of the Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront upzoning,” Restler said. “While we’ve built tens of thousands of new homes in our community in the intervening years, Box Street Park remained a broken promise.”

“After years of relentless advocacy, I’m thrilled that we’re finally breaking ground on this beautiful new public park complete with beautiful grounds, waterfront seating, a basketball court and a public bathroom,” Restler added.

The park will also include many new trees, grasses, shrubs, and other plants, bringing more greenery and shade to the waterfront while also helping protect the area during extreme weather.

Once completed, Box Street Park will give Williamsburg and Greenpoint residents another beautiful place to walk, relax, spend time with their families, and enjoy the city’s waterfront.

Dear BoroPark24,

During Chol Hamoed, I noticed sanitation enforcement agents going around Boro Park issuing tickets. I watched as one agent gave out at least seven tickets one after another, and I couldn’t understand why this was necessary specifically during Chol Hamoed.

Chol Hamoed is obviously not a regular weekday in Boro Park. Many families are away for the entire Yom Tov or on trips, visiting relatives, or simply not following their regular workday schedules. People may not even be home to clean up outside their properties the way they normally would.

I approached the agent and asked him about it. I explained that many people were away and questioned why tickets were being issued under these circumstances. His response was essentially that he had already started issuing tickets and couldn’t stop.

I understand that sanitation rules exist for a reason, and nobody is asking for those rules to be ignored. But there should also be some common sense and consideration for the community. When so many residents are away for Chol Hamoed, is this really the appropriate time to go street by street issuing multiple sanitation tickets?

Watching one agent issue seven tickets in a relatively short period of time made it feel less like addressing an isolated sanitation problem and more like an opportunity to cash in as many properties as possible at once. Maybe that is simply how the enforcement schedule works, but during Chol Hamoed, it certainly came across differently.

Is this really the welcome people should be getting when they return from a trip, or simply return to their homes after spending the Yom Tov elsewhere?

Perhaps the Sanitation Department should consider giving residents some flexibility on days like Chol Hamoed instead of immediately penalizing families who may not even be home and may have no idea there is an issue.

— A Boro Park Resident

A true tzaddik and ba’al mussar to his core, a leader of the Novaradoker chaburah, a leader and guide to multitudes in Boro Park—where he resided—and beyond, was Rav Chaim Mordechai Wainkrantz. A talmid of the legendary Novaradoker Yeshiva in Poland, he lived and disseminated its teachings to a new generation in Boro Park of yesteryear. 

His yohrtzeit this past Kislev marked twenty years since the passing of this legendary tzaddik who impacted countless people with his spirit of Torah and mussar.

Novaradok of Yore  

Chaim Mordechai was born in a town called Papov in the year 1920. His father was Reb Kalman Aaron Wainkrantz. 

The period of post World War One brought tremendous upheaval in Eastern Europe, and with that came a great spiritual threat to the Jewish youth of the region, many of whom were joining secular movements and moving away from the faith of their fathers. 

Reb Kalman Aaron sought to send his son Chaim Mordechai to a yeshiva away from home, but on the way, Chaim Mordechai had a dream that would alter the course of his life. In it, the Alter of Novaradok came to him and asked him to join his yeshiva. He made his way to the Novaradoker yeshiva in Poltusk, Poland—and his heart would forever be smitten with the spirit of mussar that thrived there. 

Transplanting Novaradok 

Arriving in America, he headed straight for the transplanted Yeshiva Beis Yosef in Boro Park which Rav Avrohom Yoffen had reopened a few years earlier, in 1942. He sat down to learn in the yeshiva with tremendous hasmodoh—joined by a number of his chaverim from Biyalistok. The spirit of Novaradoker mussar once again had a home! 

 Although his role in Yeshiva Ohel Yaakov of Boro Park was primarily educational, Rav Chaim Mordechai took part in the fundraising efforts to keep the yeshiva afloat. Once, he needed $10,000 on an urgent basis for the yeshiva. He took in a nap in the afternoon, when suddenly he had a dream that someone was at his door with $10,000 for him. He got up, and sure enough, a man was at his door with the full amount!

Ko somar l’beis Yaakov… In addition to his espousal of mussar to the men, Rav Chaim Mordechai was a mashpiah for the women as well. Aside from his many years of teaching in Beis Yaakov of Boro Park, he developed an ardent following among the women from the Sephardic community in Brooklyn who had true emunas chachomim in this great tzaddik, and hung onto his every word. 

Truly Happy

“If you want to be really happy, then learn mussar for four hours! That will make you happy,” Rav Chaim Mordechai would always say. To his talmidos in Beis Yaakov, as well as to the scores of his adherents, he would constantly say, “You have to have happikeit!” 

“He would exhort men to never, ever get angry at home,” relates Rav Yehuda Mandel, a student of Novaradok, “and he would explain that the way to accomplish this was by learning mussar—that is the true way to serenity and joy.”   

The following story illustrates the heights to which Rav Chaim Mordechai himself ascended through his avodas hamussar: Rav Wainkrantz used to serve as the gabbai in Yeshiva Beis Yosef-Novaradok during krias haTorah. One Shabbos a deranged individual walked in during krias haTorah and began hurling insults at Rav Chaim Mordechai. The olam was aghast. But there was one person in the crowd whose countenance was as serene as though nothing had happened—and that was Rav Wainkrantz himself. 

He was practicing the middah of hishtavus—to approach everything in life unfazed one way or another—that he had worked so hard to hone with the power of mussar. 

Rav Yehuda Mandel recalls visiting Rav Wainkrantz two weeks before his passing. “He knew where he was going, and he was beaming… his face was alight, like the great tzaddikim,” he remembers. 

On the 29th of Kislev of the year 5765 (2004) Rav Chaim Mordechai Wainkrantz returned his neshomoh to its Creator following a lifetime of avodas Hashem with mesirush nefesh and disseminating the philosophy of mussar to new generations in Boro Park of yore.  

By Y.M. Lowy

The MTA is planning a major upgrade to the subway’s announcement and information systems, including replacing outdated speakers and adding new technology to provide riders with clearer and more timely information.

The MTA has set aside $800 million for the technology upgrades and is now asking companies for proposals on how to modernize the systems used for announcements, digital displays and help-point kiosks.

The new announcement system would be able to automatically adjust the volume based on noise levels in the station. The MTA also wants the system to provide announcements in multiple languages and use AI technology to help deliver information to riders.

Some subway stations are still using audio systems that are more than 40 years old. According to MTA planning documents, 76 of the system’s 472 stations have these outdated systems and are not connected directly to the subway’s rail control center.

That means announcements at those stations are often relayed manually by station workers rather than being sent directly from the control center, which can lead to delayed or unclear information.

The MTA also wants to install new digital screens that can provide service updates, directions around stations and other real-time information. The agency is also looking at technology that could provide riders with information about how crowded individual subway cars are.

The MTA is seeking responses from companies by October 15 as it moves forward with planning the upgrades.

By Y.M. Lowy

Nearly half of the civil summonses issued by NYPD officers over the past year were thrown out.

The NYPD issued about 98,000 civil summonses for violations including open containers, unlicensed vending, pedicab violations and construction materials left in the street. About 47% of the summonses handled by the city’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings were thrown out.

Many of the cases involved problems with the paperwork. One issue drawing attention is the NYPD’s continued use of handwritten civil summonses. Errors such as incorrect information, illegible writing, wrong legal codes or missing details can make it difficult for the city to properly process a ticket.

The city Department of Investigation has previously recommended that agencies move away from handwritten summonses and switch to electronic systems. Several other city agencies have already done so.

The NYPD is working to reduce these errors through additional training for officers. The department also maintains that a ticket being thrown out over a technical issue does not mean the underlying violation did not occur.

YS GOLD 

With heavy hearts, we report upon the passing of Harav Aaron Brizel, zt”l, the Dzirka Rebbe of Boro Park, a great Tzaddik known for his hachnosas orchim. He was 73 years of age and suffered from an illness in recent months. 

The Rebbe, zt”l, was born in Yerushalayim on 27 Nissan 5713 (1953), to his father, the righteous Rabbi Pinchas Brizel, zt”l, one of the prominent chassidim of Karlin and a member of the renowned Brizel family, among the builders and righteous figures of Yerushalayim shel Maalah, and to his mother, Mrs. Chanah Yuta, a”h, daughter of the gaon Rabbi Chaim, hy”d, who served as a dayan in Kleinwardein.

In his youth, he absorbed Torah and yiras Shamayim in the atmosphere of Yerushalayim of old . He was privileged to bask in the presence of his great rebbe, Rav Aharon Baruch, zy”a, eldest son of the Baal Ha“Sullam,” zy”a. 

From him, he received his unique approach to avodas Hashem, the study of the hidden dimensions of Torah and Chassidus. 

He later established his home in the United States and founded the court of Dzhirkah. His beis midrash in Boro Park, as well as his beis midrash in Jerusalem, served as bastions of chesed and renowned hospitality. The Rebbe, zt”l, was known as an extraordinary host who opened the doors of his home and his heart wide to every downtrodden Yid, giving every Yid the feeling of a warm and welcoming home, both in the United States and in Eretz Yisrael.

The Rebbe, zt”l, initially opened his chassidic following not as a Rebbe, but as a mekubal who taught Kabbalah according to the Ashlag tradition. A number of talmidim joined him and eventually became his chassidim. Over the years, he built his home and beis midrash on Rechov Lapidos in the Beis Yisrael neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he would feed dozens of young men every Shabbos, who would partake of the meals at his table.

Those who knew him and were close to him related that despite the gabbaim and chassidim who surrounded him, the Rebbe personally practiced extraordinary humility and kindness.

At the same time, his beis midrash served as a gathering place for chassidim, talmidei chachamim, and seekers. The Rebbe, zt”l, was renowned for his passionate avodah of tefillah, his warm and heartfelt davening, and his rare combination of profound insight into the inner dimensions of Torah with simplicity, a radiant countenance, and an approachable chassidic warmth that drew every yid closer.

During the past year, the Rebbe, zt”l, endured profound anguish and a terrible family tragedy with the untimely passing of his granddaughter, the young Mrs. Miriam Sarah Bard, a”h, daughter of the esteemed Rav Moshe Shmuel Rothenberg, shlita, director of the renowned chesed organization Rav Lehoshia. She passed away at the age of only 24 following a severe illness. 

The Rebbe accepted the Heavenly decree with love and in silence, and continued to lead his community with complete devotion even while enduring great suffering.

In recent weeks, the Rebbe, zt”l, had grown weaker, and his medical condition experienced ups and downs. In recent days, his condition deteriorated severely, and he was hospitalized in a New York hospital, in need of abundant rachmei Shamayim.

Klal Yisrael, and especially his chassidim and admirers, poured out their hearts in tefillah and supplication for the recovery of Rabbi Aharon ben Chanah Yuta. Alas, the decree had been sealed, and his pure soul ascended to the Heavenly Heights.

He leaves behind a beautiful generations of upright descendants: sons and daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren, disseminators of Torah and yiras Shamayim who follow in his path and continue his exalted legacy in chassidic communities throughout the United States and Eretz Yisrael.

The levaya will take place 3 pm at his Bhm"d in Boro Park.

Yehi zichro baruch.

Yisroel R.

Shmira Public Safety has expanded its growing patrol fleet with five brand-new emergency response vehicles, strengthening the organization’s ability to respond to calls and provide increased coverage throughout the community.

The new vehicles will be used as part of Shmira’s regular emergency response and patrol operations, with the expansion particularly aimed at strengthening coverage during Shabbos and Yom Tov, when the organization provides an important public safety presence throughout the community.

By adding the five additional patrol vehicles, the organization will be able to increase the number of units available on the road, improve response times, and provide broader patrol coverage when needed.

In another major new initiative, Shmira has introduced a specially designed, non-electric bike that can be used on Shabbos and Yom Tov to transport food, supplies, and other necessities to community members at Maimonides Medical Center. The bike provides a practical option for assisting patients and families while avoiding many of the halachic challenges associated with motorized transportation, planned im detail with Rabbanim shlit"a, further expanding the range of assistance Shmira can provide on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

The latest additions are part of Shmira Public Safety’s continued effort to expand its resources and capabilities as the number of calls and requests for assistance continues to grow across the community.

By Y.M. Lowy

With rain and strong winds expected over the first days of Sukkos, now is the time to make sure your sukkah is properly secured and ready for the weather. Check that everything is firmly in place and that your sukkah is as rainproof as possible, because the forecast looks set to put it to the test.

Erev Yom Tov will be windy, with a high of 72° and a low of 56°. Expect shifting clouds and sunshine, with winds reaching 18 mph.

The first day of Sukkos, Shabbos, will be much cooler, with a high of 63° and a low of 58°. Expect rain for much of the day, along with strong winds and gusts reaching 23 mph.

The second day of Sukkos, Sunday, will remain windy, with a high of 64° and a low of 60°. Periods of rain and gusty winds are expected, with wind gusts reaching 18 mph.

The weather looks considerably better for the second days. Friday will bring a high of 76° with a mix of clouds and sunshine. Shabbos will be pleasant with a high of 72° and thin high clouds. Sunday will be a bit more humid, with a high of 73°, mostly cloudy skies, and a chance of some showers.

photos: Avrumi Blum, Achim Lanchevsky, Issac Y.

A festive Siyum Hazman was held at Yeshivas Esek HaTorah, together with siyumim on Masechtos Pesachim and Gittin.

The celebration featured an inspiring address by Hagoen Hatzadik Rav of Shemen LaMaor shlit"a, a beautiful musical presentation by the “Chassidish Choir” expressing the deep emotions of Simchas HaTorah, and enthusiastic dancing in honor of the Torah.

Sisu V’Simchu B’Simchas HaTorah!

By Y.M. Lowy

A tremendous sense of joy and gratitude has swept through the Lelov chasidim, and particularly among the hundreds of parents of students at Talmud Torah Birchas Ram"m Yerushalayim Lelov in Boro Park, following a historic development in the continued expansion of the mosdos: the purchase of a large and spacious building that will serve as a new home for the Lelover Talmud Torah in Boro Park.

The Lelover cheder has become well known for its strong Chassidish atmosphere and its success in both ruchniyus and gashmiyus. Over the past several years, its reputation has continued to grow, with a strong emphasis placed on instilling middos tovos, Torah and Yiras Shamayim in the young students each day and throughout the year. This is especially evident as the Yamim Tovim approach, when the dedicated mechanchim prepare the children with the proper simcha and minhagim passed down through the generations.

The children of the Talmud Torah also have the special privilege with a close relationship with the Lelover Rebbe shlita, one of the prominent Admorim in Boro Park, who devotes himself to the children and has a strong impression in their hearts through his Torah, Chassidus and erlichkeit.

The qualities of the Lelover cheder have naturally led to continued enrollment growth, with numerous Chassidish families from across the area choosing to send their children to Lelov to receive its pure chinuch and warm Chassidish influence. As a result, the number of students continues to increase, bli ayin hara.

To accommodate the significant growth from year to year, with the current Talmud Torah building having long since become too small for its needs, the administration embarked on a major expansion effort to purchase a large building of its own for the Talmud Torah, with the bracha and encouragement of the Lelover Rebbe shlita.

Following an extended search, the administration has now reached a major milestone, signing a contract for a large and spacious building in Boro Park. The massive corner property sits on a lot measuring approximately 100 by 110 feet and is located on Ditmas Avenue at East 5th Street, near the large buildings of Satmar Talmud Torah and Mevakshei Hashem.

With this major step toward establishing a large permanent home for the Talmud Torah, the dedicated marbitzei Torah and askanim of the mosdos will be able to continue their avodas hakodesh, expanding the boundaries of the mosdos and providing the children with Torah, Chassidus and Yiras Shamayim.

Yisroel R.

Residents near Boro Park were treated to an unusual sight as a massive new MTA subway car made its way through the streets of Sunset Park, traveling on the ground instead of along the city’s familiar subway tracks.

The subway car was transported to the MTA’s railcar facility near Third Avenue and 39th Street, where crews carefully maneuvered it through the surrounding area using specialized rail-moving equipment.

The delivery offered a rare glimpse into how the city’s subway system receives new trains, with the massive car making its way through an industrial section of Brooklyn, far from the underground tunnels and elevated tracks where subway riders typically see them.

The MTA opened its new Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility in Sunset Park in November 2025. Located near the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, the facility was designed to receive new subway cars delivered by truck, rail, or boat, allowing them to undergo inspections and testing before entering service.

Once the new subway cars arrive, they are inspected, connected to other cars, and put through a series of tests to ensure they are ready for operation. The facility also has a direct connection to the city’s subway tracks, allowing newly approved trains to enter the transit system more efficiently.

By Y.M. Lowy

A new MTA photography exhibit is giving New Yorkers a behind-the-scenes look at the workers and facilities that keep the transit system running. 

The exhibit, titled In Service: MTA Photographs by Christopher Payne, features 50 photographs taken inside MTA maintenance shops and manufacturing facilities, including locations where subway cars, buses and other equipment are built and repaired.

The photos show the specialized work done by welders, machinists, electricians and other workers who maintain the system. Some of the photographs were taken at MTA facilities in New York, while others show the manufacturing of new subway cars and buses at facilities across the country.

The photographs will be displayed for the next six months in all 52 of the MTA’s decommissioned advertising lightboxes at 42nd Street-Bryant Park, Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, Bowling Green, Grand Central Terminal and Grand Central Madison.

photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA

By Y.M. Lowy

Chernobile chassidim welcomed Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year in a newly opened Beis Medrash Hagadol, which was temporarily completed in time for Yom Tov.

The new Beis Medrash was built as the Chernobile kehillah continues to grow, with increasing numbers of mispallelim and visitors coming to daven and participate in the Rebbe’s tishes.

In previous years, the existing shul could not accommodate the large crowds during the Yamim Noraim, and a temporary structure was set up to provide additional space for davening and the Rebbe’s tishes.

Construction of the new, spacious Beis Medrash is still underway, but the building will continue to serve the kehillah throughout year, especially on Shabbos when the Kehila has long outgrown their current shul.

Today, the Coalition to Preserve Maimonides announced that it has filed an Article 78 petition in New York State Supreme Court in Albany County to stop New York City Health + Hospitals’ proposed takeover of Maimonides Medical Center.

The petition asks the court to annul the Public Health and Health Planning Council’s September 17 approval, alleging that the State approved an unprecedented hospital takeover without the full, transparent, and legally required review of H+H’s authority, operating structure, financial feasibility, community impact, and record as a hospital operator.

Read the petition

The filing follows the Coalition’s prior successful lawsuit requiring certificate-of-need review; the Coalition contends that the resulting review exposed fundamental deficiencies in the proposed takeover rather than resolved them.

“The New York City public hospital system’s attempted takeover of a cherished non-profit, private hospital is unprecedented and illegal,” said Martin Bienstock, an attorney representing the Coalition to Preserve Maimonides. “We won our last lawsuit forcing the transaction to undergo a public review process. We’ve now asked the courts to step in again because that review process made clear that the transaction is unauthorized under the governing statutes, that all required approvals were not sought, that H+H’s abysmal performance record makes it not competent to operate Maimonides, and that this transaction makes no sense financially.

Bienstock continued, “The more than $2 billion in public funds the State has committed should be used to secure Maimonides' future, not to rush through a seizure that leaves patients and workers facing even greater uncertainty.”

The Coalition also seeks to require a genuinely independent health equity assessment, establishment applications for every entity that will exercise hospital-operating authority, a complete review of H+H’s operating record, and public review of materials that the petition alleges were considered or discussed outside the public record.

“H+H intends to control Maimonides through private entities, including an entity that would employ more than 5,000 workers, even though the governing statute requires H+H to operate its hospitals as a public authority and to employ the workforce itself,” said Akiva Shapiro, an attorney for the plaintiffs. “The State cannot approve an irreversible restructuring of a vital community hospital based on an arrangement the law does not authorize, then leave the core terms to be worked out later.”

An 82-year-old man was slashed in the hand and robbed of his sandals during an incident last Shabbos.

The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. near 590 DeKalb Avenue, where police say the victim got into a verbal dispute with an unidentified man. The man then pulled out a knife, slashed the victim in the hand and took his sandals before running away southbound on Nostrand Avenue.

The victim suffered minor injuries and did not require hospitalization.

The NYPD has released images of the suspect and is asking anyone who recognizes him or has information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

photos: Shlome B.

photos by: Issac Y.

photos: Issac Y. Avrumi Weiss

By Y.M. Lowy

As public school began for the upcoming year, the city is adding more safety measures around schools to slow down traffic and make it safer for children walking to and from school.

The Department of Transportation has installed 15 mph school zones at more than 200 schools so far. The city says the zones will be in place at nearly 800 schools by the end of 2026.

The city is also installing Open Street gates near schools across New York City. The gates help create temporary vehicle-free spaces outside schools, giving students more room and helping make drop-off and pick-up safer.

The Open Streets program also allows schools to use the space for outdoor activities such as recess, outdoor learning, lunch and school events. The program is especially useful for schools that do not have a gym or designated outdoor space.

PHOTO: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

By Y.M. Lowy

The street near Maimonides Hospital at 10th Avenue and 48th Street is currently closed as the hospital deals with an urgent closure of five upper levels of its main parking garage.

The garage closure began Tuesday evening due to "necessary repairs" and is expected to remain in effect through next week. More than half of the garage’s parking spaces are currently unavailable.

With the garage operating at reduced capacity, the closed street area is now being used for VIP parking, affecting regular parking availability in the area.

Parking in the remaining garage spaces is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the garage is full, no additional vehicles will be permitted to enter.

Maimonides is advising staff and visitors to use public transportation or ridesharing whenever possible while the repairs are underway.

Just a week ago, a large emergency response was triggered when a person was standing on the ledge of the parking structure’s upper floors. It is unclear whether that incident is connected to the current "repairs".

By Y.M. Lowy

A serious accident occurred in Boro Park during the late-night hours when an NYPD vehicle was involved in a crash and, as a result, slammed into a parked car on 14th Avenue and 49th Street.

Both vehicles were heavily damaged, and the two officers inside the NYPD vehicle were transported to the hospital. Hatzolah transported both officers to the hospital.

The crash comes just weeks after another serious collision in the area, when two NYPD cruisers and a third vehicle collided at 15th Avenue and 51st Street. Five officers, a sergeant, and a civilian were injured in that crash.

The circumstances of Wednesday night’s collision remain under investigation.

photos: Shlome B.

photos by: Dovid Y. Jaroslawicz

By Y.M. Lowy

A subway power station in Downtown Brooklyn exploded last year, sending flames shooting out of a subway grate and leaving more than 4,000 riders stuck on trains. Now, a new MTA audit has found that the agency had missed nearly one in five required maintenance checks at its subway substations during that same year.

The explosion happened in December 2024 at the State Street substation. Nobody was injured, but the blast knocked out power and caused major subway disruptions in the area.

Substations are the power stations that keep the subway running. They take electricity from the city’s power grid and convert it into the type of electricity needed to run trains through the third rail.

The MTA Inspector General’s office launched its audit after the explosion. Investigators visited 16 of the MTA’s more than 200 substations and reviewed maintenance records and spoke with employees.

They found that NYC Transit did not complete 19% of the required maintenance checks in 2024.

The situation was even more serious at the State Street substation. Of 23 scheduled maintenance assignments, 12 had not been completed before the explosion.

The MTA’s own investigation found that the explosion was caused by damaged copper tubing inside a transformer. Because the tubing was located inside the transformer, it could not be seen during a normal visual inspection, so the damage went undetected.

The Inspector General also found other safety problems. Workers at some substations were not wearing required protective equipment while working around high-voltage electricity. Auditors also found that workers ignored fire alarm “trouble” signals at all six substations they visited that had those systems. Those alerts indicate that the fire alarm system is not working properly.

The audit also questioned who was assigned to investigate the Brooklyn explosion, noting that an assistant chief trained as a carpenter was used for the review instead of an electrician.

The MTA says it has since made changes. NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said 30 substations have been rehabilitated since the 2024 explosion, and the agency has restructured its Power Division to give separate oversight to the power and signal systems.

Maintenance also improved in 2025, with NYC Transit completing 90% of its required substation checks, compared with about 81% the year before.

The MTA is also planning to spend $3 billion on new power systems as part of its effort to upgrade the aging subway infrastructure.

YS GOLD 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reb Shmiel Mordechai Hakohen Drezdner, z"l, a longtime Boro Park resident renowned for his Torah and yiras Shomayim. He was 80 years of age, and leaves behind a beautiful Torah family. 

The niftar was born just after the terrible Holocaust that so devastated European Jewry, and he was among the generation that rebuilt what their parents had lost. 

He raised a beautiful Torah family, among them is the legendary Kol Mevaser broadcaster, Reb Yitzchok Shloime Drezdner.

He was niftar this morning at the age of 80. 

The levaya will take place this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Satmar Bhm"d on 18th Avenue, followed by kevurah at the Beis Hachaim in Kiryas Yoel.

Yehi zichro baruch.

By Y.M. Lowy

The magnificent Sukkos Dee Voch package is filled with inspiring stories, fascinating features, and beautiful photography that every member of the family will enjoy immensely. It includes 8 sections and 1,400 pages of content!

In the Dee Voch magazine, readers will discover a special 12-page tribute honoring the 30th yahrtzeit of the gaon hakadosh Harav Moshe Aryeh Freund, zt”l, Gaavad Yerushalayim, featuring rare photographs from his life, many published for the first time, together with the stories and background behind each image. “V’yitnu Lecha Keser Malchus” explores when the Gedolei HaAdmorim ascended to the Kisei Malchus, including the exact dates, years, and positions they held beforehand, while “Harchivi Mekom Ohalech” brings detailed reports on the many new and expanded batei medrashim for the Yamim Noraim this year. As always, Dee Voch provides extensive coverage from the Rebbe’she courts, including Erev and Motzaei Rosh Hashanah 5787 and Admorim and Rabbanim at Tashlich, along with captivating scenes of Rosh Hashanah 5787 in Uman, Yidden around the world at Tashlich and Minhag Kaparos, and communities everywhere preparing for Yom Tov Sukkos.

This Sukkos, the Shrift comes with two special booklets, packed with fascinating stories, history, travel, interviews and thought-provoking features.

An in-depth look at the Belzer dynasty, beginning with the holy Sar Shalom and continuing through the generations to the present Belzer Rebbe, shlit”a.

The elderly gaon and talmid chacham, Harav Leibel Stempel, shlit”a, opens his rich memoirs, sharing his experiences during the war years and what he witnessed while in the presence of Gedolei Yisroel.

During a 10-day journey, Pinchos Leifer takes readers inside life in China, with its vast population of 1.4 billion and endless industries.

A fascinating documentation project exploring historic coups that left a lasting mark on world history.

An inside look at West Point, the oldest active military installation in the United States, and its prestigious academy that prepares the future leaders of the U.S. Army.

Talented photographer R’ Yisroel Goldstein shares his incredible story and his courageous battle to overcome alcohol and smoking addiction.

A creative and thought-provoking illustrated feature showing how the same person can embody completely opposite traits, and how what someone loves today can become what they dislike tomorrow.

The stories behind some of the iconic photographs from the September 11 attacks, revealing the thousands of words and human stories behind a single image.

and much much more!

Business Shrift Sukkos edition brings fascinating stories from the world of business, including a look at the story of philanthropist and administrator R’ Yisroel Arzel, who combines tzedakah, askanus and business; creative moments with pioneering graphic designer R’ Yehoshua Schwartz and his son R’ Shmuel Dovid Schwartz of the renowned Semcap marketing firm; and an inside look at businesses that need to be ready to operate 24 hours a day.

In honor of Sukkos, the Fink magazine brings a collection of powerful and inspiring stories, including the tale of a Holocaust survivor who faces opposition while building his sukkah, only to see his neighbor have a change of heart on the first night of Sukkos; the story of a non-religious Jew whose unexpected encounter with Shabbos leads him to begin putting on tefillin every day and eventually changes his life; the remarkable life story of Harav Moshe Yitzchok Babad, zt”l, who lost his left leg at a young age but overcame tremendous challenges with emunah, bitachon and simchah; and the heartbreaking story of a young girl who is taken from her mother after doctors suspect child neglect, with the now-grown girl looking back years later on the moment that changed her life forever.

This Sukkos, Kinder Shrift is packed with exciting stories, interviews and adventures for kids, including a special visit with the Skverer dayan in Boro Park, who answers questions submitted by Kinder Shrift readers; a fascinating journey to a Jewish community deep in the Amazon jungle; a musical conversation with four popular composers; and an inspiring interview with a writer who has already written an incredible 800 books in seven languages. Kids can also enjoy a dramatic comic story, a visit to a museum filled with unusual musical instruments, a fun conversation with sukkahs from different generations about how Sukkos looked in the olden days, and a special look at Hershy, a boy who builds beautiful miniature sukkahs to decorate his own sukkah.

A special Yom Tov comic supplement featuring A Sukkah'le a Kleine , a beautiful and dramatic comic story spanning more than 30 pages, written and illustrated by H. Feldman.

Yisroel R.

A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to up to four and a half years in prison for his role in an elaborate government impersonation scam targeting a 22-year-old Williamsburg woman, who was falsely told she faced arrest and pressured into handing over thousands of dollars before Shomrim and the NYPD intervened.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Wednesday that Weiwei Xu, 39, of Sunset Park, was sentenced to one and a half to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree grand larceny on August 11.

The incident began in July 2025, when the victim received a phone call from a woman posing as a U.S. Marshal, who claimed there was an outstanding warrant for her arrest on money laundering charges. The caller kept her on the phone for more than four hours, convincing her that she needed to pay money to clear the supposed warrant. After her bank blocked a suspicious $13,000 transaction, the scammers instructed her to return home, where two unidentified men arrived and collected the cash using a prearranged passcode.

Over the following days, the scammers continued contacting the victim, demanding an additional $5,200. The woman contacted Shomrim and called 911, alerting authorities to the scheme. Despite an NYPD officer warning the caller to stop contacting her, the scammers arranged another pickup, claiming an undercover detective would collect the remaining money.

On July 22, NYPD 79th precinct and Shomrim conducted a sting operation and arranged for the suspect to appear at the victim’s home. The suspect arrived in a black Cadillac, identified himself as “Jack,” provided the agreed-upon passcode, and collected the remaining $5,200. Shortly afterward, Shomrim and police surrounded the car, apprehended the driver, recovered the money from the vehicle, and placed him under arrest.

A subsequent investigation by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office identified 12 telephone numbers connected to the operation, with the scammers using internet-based phone services linked to several countries in Asia.

District Attorney Gonzalez warned residents to remain alert to similar schemes, emphasizing that scammers frequently use threats of arrest to frighten victims into handing over money and urging anyone targeted to report such incidents immediately to authorities.

photos: Achim Lanchevsky

By Y.M. Lowy

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection has appointed Taya Mueller as its new Brooklyn Borough Commissioner.

Mueller will work with local elected officials and Brooklyn residents on DEP-related matters and serve as the borough’s point person for the agency.

Brooklyn residents with DEP-related inquiries can contact [email protected].

By Y.M. Lowy

Sukkos is all about enjoying Yom Tov with family and guests, and a beautiful spread of desserts makes the meal even more special. Falkowitz Cakes & Desserts is getting ready for the Yom Tov rush with an assortment of tempting cakes and desserts that are perfect for serving in the sukkah.

From something sweet to enjoy with a cup of coffee to desserts that will have everyone reaching for another piece, Falkowitz has plenty to choose from for your Sukkos table. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or simply want to have something delicious on hand throughout Yom Tov, this is the place to indulge.

Falkowitz will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, September 22–24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, Erev Yom Tov, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stop by Falkowitz Cakes & Desserts at 597 Marcy Ave. in Brooklyn, or call 718-388-0039.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli visited Boro Park ahead of Sukkos, touring local businesses and experiencing the busy Erev Yom Tov atmosphere throughout the neighborhood.

During his visit, DiNapoli stopped at several locations, including Judaica stores, sukkah supply shops, meat stores, and other local businesses, getting a firsthand look at the preparations for the upcoming Yom Tov.

DiNapoli also presented checks to several local businesses for money recovered through New York State’s Unclaimed Funds program.

photos: Duvid Jaroslawicz

By Y.M. Lowy

Detailed plans have been revealed for the new Building of Simcha and Chesed being developed on the property where the old Bobov Talmud Torah building, formerly the Novominsk Talmud Torah, was recently demolished, as previously reported on BoroPark24.

The new eight-story building will include several simcha halls that will allow families to celebrate simchos at affordable rates through the Bobover “Chaim Shel Shalom” organization , which helps families save tens of thousands of dollars on wedding expenses. The additional halls will expand on the existing halls in the Bnos Zion building and provide additional space to meet the growing demand.

The building will also include dozens of rooms for hachnosas orchim, providing accommodations for the many guests who travel to Boro Park to spend time in the presence of the Rebbe shlit”a around Yom Tov and other occasions.

In addition, the facility will house numerous offices and rooms for Bobov’s various chesed organizations and activities, providing additional space to expand the community’s charitable work and services.

According to the plans, the project is now approaching the final stages before construction begins.

By Y.M. Lowy

When traveling through construction zones on the Verrazzano Bridge and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, watch your speed because MTA speed cameras are now issuing tickets to drivers who exceed the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph.

The cameras began issuing violations today after the MTA spent the past several months warning drivers. Since June 30, more than 15,780 warning notices have been issued to motorists caught speeding through construction zones. 

The cameras will operate during work hours and will be placed in construction zones with signs warning drivers that speed cameras are in use.

The first violation carries a $50 fine. A second violation within 18 months carries a $75 fine, while additional violations during that period carry a $100 fine. No points will be added to a driver’s license because the violations are considered non-moving infractions.

The MTA operates several other bridges and tunnels where the cameras may also be used, including the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and Throgs Neck Bridge.

By Y.M. Lowy

Today will be a cool and cloudy day, with a high of 67° and a low of 56°. Rain and drizzle will stick around this morning, with mostly cloudy skies for the rest of the day.

Wednesday will have a high of 68° and a low of 54°. It will start out cloudy, but some sunshine will break through during the afternoon, with clouds passing through at times.

Thursday will be another cool and mostly cloudy day, with a high of 68° and a low of 56°. It will be breezy at times in the morning, followed by cloudy skies.

As families prepare to leave their homes for the sukkah, we asked a different question: What new convenience have you recently brought into your home?

The answer we heard again and again was the Noam water machine.

Noam provides cold, hot, and warm water at any time. Its compact design and selection of colors allow it to fit naturally into almost any kitchen.

Cold Water Whenever You Need It

Rabbi Reuven Yaakovovitch of Borough Park first discovered Noam while visiting Israel.

“_What impressed me was knowing that cold water would always be available,” he explained. “There is no need to fill bottles, prepare ice, or worry that the refrigerator has run out of wate_r.”

He especially appreciates it after walking home on a hot Shabbos afternoon. “A cold glass of water from Noam makes all the difference.”

Convenient on Shabbos

Y. Oberlander of Williamsburg added Noam while renovating his kitchen.

“The main feature that convinced me was the automatic Shabbos mode,” he said. “You can enjoy hot water on Shabbos morning without rushing to prepare a kettle right before sunset.”

The machine includes a Shabbos mode with kosher certification from Hisachdus and the OU.

Designed With Safety in Mind

For Rabbi N. Weichbrodt of Lakewood, safety was the deciding factor.

After hearing about a child who was burned by a hot water kettle, he began searching for a safer option. Noam’s exterior does not become dangerously hot, and its hot water button includes a child safety lock.

“It gives us convenience together with greater peace of mind,” he said.

A Practical Addition to the Home

Other families highlighted the money saved on bottled water, the attractive design, and the convenience of having hot and cold water available around the clock.

Whether preparing coffee in the morning, making a baby bottle during the night, or pouring a refreshing glass of cold water, Noam has quickly become a practical part of everyday family life.

Limited time offer

Order now and get $250 OFF instantly.

Join thousands of families already using NOAM and discover the easiest way to enjoy fresh, filtered water every day.

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Order now and enjoy the convenience of fresh filtered water — exactly when you need it most.

YS GOLD 

In the midst of the holy ane exalted day of Yom Kippur, the Bobover chasidus lost Reb Avrum Reifer, z”l, a chassidishe Yid to his core who returned his soul to its Creator at the age of 69. 

The niftar was born and bred in Bobov. His father was the legendary chassid Reb Leibish Reifer, and he was among that first generation to rebuild from the ashes of the Holocaust. 

Reb Avrohom was a chassidishe Yid to his core, and raised a beautiful family of chassidim and yerei Shomayim.  

The levaya will take place in front of the Bobover Beis Medrash at 1:00 this afternoon. 

Yehi zichro baruch.

President Donald Trump made a historic visit to Gracie Mansion on Monday afternoon, meeting with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ahead of his address to the United Nations General Assembly. The visit marked the first time a sitting U.S. president had visited the mayor’s official residence in 45 years, since President Ronald Reagan met with then-Mayor Ed Koch in 1981.

The hourlong meeting marked another chapter in the unusual relationship between the Republican president and the democratic socialist mayor, who have sharply different political views but have continued working together on issues affecting New York City. The two previously met at the White House in November and again in February, making Monday’s meeting their third in-person encounter and the first time Trump visited Mamdani in New York.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Mamdani emphasized his willingness to work with anyone, regardless of political affiliation or disagreements, who is prepared to help New Yorkers. Their discussions included the city’s affordability crisis, a proposed major housing development at Sunnyside Yard in Queens, and immigration issues affecting New Yorkers. Trump expressed interest in the housing project, which would require federal approvals and potentially federal funding.

Trump also offered warm words for Mamdani, recalling his many previous visits to Gracie Mansion and his experiences with past New York City mayors. The president said he hoped Mamdani would become a great mayor, adding that he had “great potential.” Trump stressed that despite their political differences, he wanted what was best for New York City and the country.

The joint appearance also drew attention amid an ongoing dispute over the White House’s decision to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. Asked about the restrictions, Mamdani said he had informed Trump that all members of the press would be welcome at Gracie Mansion, regardless of their coverage or criticism. Trump defended his decision and dismissed reports that television networks would boycott him, joking, “They never boycott me,” as he pointed toward the reporters gathered in front of him.

The meeting came as Trump prepared to address world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. Despite their continued disagreements over issues including immigration and taxation, both leaders indicated that they intended to continue their discussions on housing and other matters affecting New York City.

NYC Ferry passengers are facing service disruptions this week as New York City implements extensive security measures for the United Nations General Assembly, bringing world leaders and dignitaries to Manhattan.

Ferry service is expected to experience temporary closures, delays, and detours as security restrictions are put in place along the East River. The disruptions come as the NYPD, alongside federal authorities, coordinates security operations around United Nations headquarters and throughout the city.

The General Assembly’s high-level meetings began Tuesday, September 22, with representatives from nearly 200 countries gathering in New York. Hundreds of motorcades will travel between the United Nations, hotels, and other venues, requiring temporary restrictions on streets and waterways.

The city has also declared Gridlock Alert Days from Monday through Friday, September 21 through 25, with extensive street closures and major traffic delays expected across Manhattan, particularly around Midtown. Officials are encouraging residents and commuters to use public transportation and allow additional travel time.

NYC Ferry passengers are advised to check the NYC Ferry website or mobile app for updated schedules and service alerts before traveling, as restrictions may change constantly throughout the week.

Plans have been finalized in the Skulen for a large Hachnosas Sefer Torah, which will take place during Chol Hamoed Sukkos.

Two years after the petirah of the Skulen Rebbe, the Yeshuas Yaakov, zt”l, a beautiful Sefer Torah written by members of the community in his memory has now been completed. The Sefer Torah will be brought into the Skulen Beis Medrash in Boro Park, the historic shul where the Rebbe zt”l led his avodas hakodesh during his years as Rebbe, continuing the holy work of his father, the Skulen Rebbe, the Me’or Yisroel, zt”l.

The Hachnosas Sefer Torah is scheduled for Monday, the first day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos, which is the day of the Ushpizin of Yaakov Avinu, like the Rebbe, the Yeshuas Yaakov, zt”l.

More plans will be released it as of now, the dancing will take place in the large sukkah in front of the Beis Medrash on 54th Street, together with a Simchas Beis Hashoevah featuring music and dancing.

A massive four-alarm fire tore through a Williamsburg restaurant Shabbos evening, injuring six firefighters and causing a partial collapse inside the building.

The fire broke out shortly before 5:30 p.m. at Juliette Restaurant, located at 135 North 5th Street. As flames spread through the building, the FDNY continued upgrading the response, eventually bringing the blaze to a fourth alarm.

More than 230 firefighters and EMS personnel were called to the scene as crews worked to bring the heavy fire under control. Thick smoke could be seen pouring from the building and spreading across the surrounding area.

During the operation, a portion of the building collapsed. Six firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to the FDNY. Four were transported to Woodhull Hospital, while another injured firefighter declined medical treatment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Over the past several years, since the Bobov-45 Kehila built its massive new shul, finding a suitable location for a large Kehila Sukkah has been a challenge. Nevertheless, the Kehila has never compromised on size, securing a suitable lot each year to accommodate the large Sukkah.

This year, the Sukkah will be located in the heart of Boro Park, at the corner of 14th Avenue and 46th Street. A more than 100-year-old home that previously stood on the property was demolished this year, leaving the large lot vacant and providing an ideal opportunity for a massive Sukkah just blocks from the Bobov-45 Shul.

The massive tent structure has now been erected by Rentastic Party Rental, which provides the full setup needed for large-scale events and temporary spaces, including tents, stages, tables, chairs and other equipment.

The central location will provide Bobov-45 Chasidim with a spacious Sukkah in the heart of Boro Park throughout Yom Tov.

For more information about Rentastic Party Rental and its full selection of event rentals, visit www.rentasticparty.com.