2022 Virtual Winter Benefit Recap
Black Bias in Healthcare Webinar – Monday, Feb. 28th
Center for Community Leadership Exec. Dir. Rabbi Bob Kaplan Featured in JNS Article on Jewish Community’s Support After Bronx Fire
CSI Exec. Dir. Mitchell Silber Featured in NY Times Article on Colleyville
Community Security Statement on Situation in Texas
Statement to the Community on the Hostage Situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas
No one should ever be afraid to assemble in their place of worship. We stand with our brothers and sisters in the Texas Jewish community as this frightening situation continues to unfold, and we pray for a swift and safe resolution. We also thank NYPD, FBI, and law enforcement throughout the state for monitoring the situation and ensuring that our synagogues and communal institutions are protected. We are grateful to our many partners in the interfaith community and elected officials – including Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams – who have conveyed their thoughts and prayers.
The following are updates from our Community Security Initiative – a joint program of JCRC-NY and UJA-Federation of New York:
1/15/22: 11:18 PM: Texas Governor Abbott has announced all hostages are alive and safe! CSI has been in direct contact with NYPD, FBI, and the Department of Justice, and there is no reason to believe that there is any local threat to synagogues here in New York. Nevertheless, we expect a heavier NYPD presence at Jewish locations around the city overnight.
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1/15/22, 6:00 PM: Colleyville Police have said that one of the hostages was released unharmed. He did not require medical attention and will be reunited with his family as soon as possible. FBI Crisis Negotiators continue contact with the subject and investigators believe three hostages are still being held inside the synagogue.
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1/15/22, 5:40 PM: CSI was made aware early this afternoon of a dynamic hostage situation involving a synagogue in Colleyville, TX, that occurred during morning Shabbat services.
https://www.star-telegram.com/
It is our understanding that there are currently as many as four individuals being held by the hostage taker who is supposedly demanding the release of an al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist, Aafia Siddiqui, currently in prison in the U.S.
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/
CSI is closely monitoring the situation and is directly in contact with the NYPD and FBI. There is a New York area link to the situation that is currently under investigation; however, we have no reason to believe that there is any clear and present danger to the greater New York area. CSI will continue to update as the situation evolves.
2022 Virtual Winter Benefit – January 25th
Statement from JCRC-NY on the Tragic Bronx Fire
January 9, 2022 – Our hearts are grieving for the 19 lives lost – including nine children – during today’s tragic fire in the Bronx, which also left over sixty people injured. As noted by Mayor Eric Adams, we offer our hearts and help to the residents of the community affected, many of whom are African Muslims. We are grateful to our longtime partner, Sheikh Musa Drammeh, for being on the scene to console the community at this devastating time, and we are in active discussion about how to best help the victims with this trauma. We also thank the FDNY, many of whom risked their lives without oxygen tanks, for their bravery and heroism in rescuing the victims.
Jewish Insider Article on Mayor Adams’s Jewish Senior Staff Appointments Features David Pollock, Assoc. Exec. Dir.
Dr. Torian Easterling briefs Jewish Community Leadership on Supervised Injection Sites
January 5, 2022 – JCRC-NY hosted a special briefing for Jewish organizational leaders on the recently established Supervised Injection Sites / Overdose Prevention Centers in New York City. New York City recently became the first city in the U.S. to authorize supervised injection sites, drawing much attention.
The briefing drew Jewish organizational leaders from across the religious, political and geographic spectrum in New York. Not only did it address an important emerging issue, it also illustrated JCRC-NY’s critical role as the table where Jewish leaders can gather to learn about and discuss key issues of the day.
While JCRC-NY has not taken a position on the initiative, we are grateful to Dr. Torian Easterling, First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, who joined us to present the benefits of these sites from a public health perspective and address some of the misconceptions and controversies surrounding them. He believes that were it not for COVID-19, addiction crisis would be the top medical issue in the City.
For context, Dr. Easterling is well-known for his frequent public service announcements to urge New Yorkers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and many other key public health issues. Last year, JCRC honored Dr. Easterling with our annual Martin Luther King Award for his work in addressing healthcare disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, and we continue to appreciate his leadership on this and many other public health issues.
The New York Times has noted that “opponents view [them] as magnets for drug abuse, but proponents praise [them] as providing a less punitive and more effective approach to addressing addiction.” NPR reported last week that NYC Mayor Eric Adams supports the continued existence of these sites, and health officials are currently exploring the expansion of these sites. As such, this new initiative will continue to impact our Jewish community and many other New Yorkers suffering from drug addiction.
Click HERE to watch the video.