New York’s increased parking meter fees officially began in Brooklyn last month.
Parking meter pricing increases of at least 20 percent are happening across the city, which the Department of Transportation says will help drivers to find short-term parking more easily, as the price hike will serve to keep more spaces open.
“By aligning meter rates with demand, we’re going to make it easier for drivers to find short-term parking because there will be greater availability,” the DOT said in a statement. The Department of Transportation also believes the higher rates will help reduce congestion and will support the local economy. Residents in Prospect Heights have different opinions on this change.
Eight-year-old Jonah, of Prospect Heights, says he is concerned his parents will have another expense.
“Everything is already so expensive in New York – it’s just how it is. And, like making the parking meters go up, making everything more expensive – I don’t think it’s good,” he said.
Michael Davis says he is a fan of the increase. He hopes it will deter New Yorkers from driving.
“We should discourage cars. People shouldn’t be using their cars,” said Davis.
NYU Hires Anti-Israel Professor to Lead New Department
New York University has hired a notorious Israel hater to lead a new center dedicated to indigenous studies, sparking outrage from top leaders at the school.
NYU announced the appointment of Eve Tuck, a professor of critical race and indigenous studies, on October 9th – just two days after Hamas terrorists massacred 1,400 Israeli civilians.
Though her work is focused on native peoples, Tuck has found common cause with Palestinian terrorism — including defending Hamas’ deadly rampage. On Oct. 26, Tuck signed a letter blaming Israel for Hamas’ butchery.
“The past two weeks of horrific violence in Gaza resulted from 75 years of Israeli settler colonial dispossession,” the letter read.
“Colonized peoples have the right to defend themselves and to resist colonial violence. We support Palestinian liberation and their right as an oppressed people to resist colonialism and genocide.”
“I am appalled that her hiring continued in the middle of this toxic atmosphere,” said Elliott Bross, a board member of NYU’s Stern School of Business. “I call for the NYU to terminate her contract immediately.”
To voice your concerns – please contact the following people of NYU:
John Beckman – Senior Vice President for Public Affairs and Strategic Communications: john.beckman@nyu.edu / 212.998.6848
Deborah Broderick – Vice President for Marketing Communications: deborah.broderick@nyu.edu / 212.998.6825
Steve Heuer – Associate Vice President for Government Affairs:
steve.heuer@nyu.edu / 202.654.8329
Arlene Peralta-Avila – Senior Director of Community Engagement:
arlene.peralta@nyu.edu / 212.998.2401
Inspiring Messages from Rabbi Shmuel Choueka – Now Available in Softcover Book!
A new book, The Rabbi’s Message: Inspiring Insights into the Weekly Parasha, has been published with a collection of writings by Rabbi Shmuel Choueka, the Rabbi of Congregation Ohel Simha in Long Branch, N.J. For many years, Ohel Simha has been sending out the Rabbi’s divrei Torah on the parashah to its congregants, and now some of them have been made available to the public. Powerjews.com has compiled a book with a full year of the Rabbi’s weekly messages – one message on each parashah.
Within the pages of the book, Rabbi Choueka weaves inspiring insights into the parashah with stories and lessons that demonstrate his deep understanding of both Torah and human nature. This book invites readers to experience the parashah as if sitting in the Rabbi’s warm presence, benefiting from his knowledge and kindness.
The publisher took on this project for the sole purpose of spreading the words of Torah, and has made it available on Amazon at his cost – less than $5.00 a copy! To order a copy, go to https://a.co/d/4w5iC8S or scan the QR code below. You can also request a free digital copy by sending an email to info@powerjews.com. This will make the perfect companion for anyone’s Shabbat table!
Amid Rise in Anti-Semitism, NYS Releasing $45 Million in Security Funding for Yeshivot
The New York State Education Department will release $45 million for Non-Public School Safety Equipment (NPSE) for immediate distribution, six months earlier than originally planned, as Jewish institutions come under increased threat due to the Israel-Hamas war.
The $45 million of funds allocated for private school safety equipment was increased from $15 million in last year’s state budget to improve security measures at religious schools in recognition of the precipitous rise of anti-Semitic incidents. Funds from the 2023-24 budget were scheduled to be available beginning in April 2024, for schools to apply for as reimbursement. But last month, the Education Department announced that schools will now be able to apply for the funds immediately.
The Anti-Defamation League reports it has recorded a total of 312 anti-Semitic incidents between October 7th and October 23rd, 190 of which “were directly linked to the war in Israel and Gaza.”
State Sen. Simcha Felder, Deputy Majority Leader Sen. Michael Giannaris, and others are also seeking a doubling in the funding available this year, from $45 million to $90 million.
“No price is too high when we are talking about protecting children,” Felder said. “Safety and security is our top priority. Every yeshiva and Jewish school must have the funds necessary to ensure that to the best of their human ability every student, rebbe, and teacher is safe at school and will return home to their family at the end of the day.”
Maury Litwack, founder of Teach Coalition, called the announcement “an important step towards meeting the urgent needs of our Jewish Day School community, which is incurring substantial unanticipated costs simply to ensure that students, staff, and families are safe.”
Brooklyn Incumbents Kalman Yeger and Inna Vernikov Win Big in City Council Races
Brooklyn Councilman Kalman Yeger
Incumbent Democrat Kalman Yeger easily defeated Heshy Tischler in the 44th district in a race pitting two well-known Orthodox Jews against each other. Yeger won with over 80 percent of the vote. The 44th district represents parts of Boro Park, Midwood, Kensington, Bensonhurst, and Gravesend.
Meanwhile, City Council member Inna Vernikov, a vocal supporter of Israel, also won reelection, with nearly 70 percent of the vote.
Vernikov’s 48th district covers Brooklyn’s Homecrest, Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, and Manhattan Beach neighborhoods. Vernikov, elected in 2022, serves as the Republican party minority whip in the council. Independent candidate Igor Kazatsker also ran for the district, falling well short of Vernikov and Adler. Democrat Adler is also Jewish, a fact she highlighted shortly before the race with a visit to the Chabad rebbe’s gravesite in Queens.
Vernikov was arraigned just days before the election for illegally bringing a pistol to a pro-Palestinian protest last month. Vernikov has a permit for the weapon, but under New York law, a demonstration is considered a “sensitive location” where firearms are prohibited.
Voters were focused on migrants and crime more than on other issues, but the Middle East war was also a factor, according to a Siena College poll released late last month.
A majority of voters – 57 percent – favored more aid to Israel, while 32 percent were opposed. Jewish voters favored more aid to Israel by a wide margin of 81 percent in favor and 8 percent opposed