New York State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein introduced legislation at the State Legislature that would amend a discriminatory NYC Department of Sanitation regulation that unfairly penalizes New York City’s Jewish community.
Last year, the NYC Department of Sanitation enacted a rule requiring residents to place their trash on the curb after 8pm in an effort to combat the city’s rat problem. However, this rigid policy ignores the needs of religious New Yorkers who are prohibited from handling trash on Shabbos. As a result, many residents have been subjected to steep fines of $50-$300 simply for observing their faith.
“This policy is unacceptable and must come to end,” declared Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. “New Yorkers should not have to choose between their religious beliefs and avoiding a ticket.”
Assemblyman Eichenstein’s proposed legislation would prohibit Sanitation Department enforcement agents from ticketing New York City residents from 3pm on Friday through 6pm on Saturdays, thereby accommodating Sabbath observers as well as New Yorkers who wish to enjoy a weekend away from home.
Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, a co-sponsor of the legislation added, “This common-sense legislation will fix a problem that New York City has refused to address. It is impossible for Shabbat-observant New Yorkers to comply with the Department of Sanitation’s new trash setout times. In 2023, the Sanitation Department personally promised me that Shabbat-observant New Yorkers need not worry about being issued summonses on Shabbat. Unfortunately, that promise has not been kept. Assemblyman Eichenstein and I are stepping in with this common-sense bill that should not be necessary, but unfortunately is. I’m grateful for his leadership on this, and I look forward to moving this bill through the legislature.”
Jerusalem’s Mayor Moshe Lion is Welcomed by Community Leaders in Brooklyn
Mayor Moshe Lion (third from left with Abe Lubinsky on his left and on his right Sammy Ayal) and members of the International Committee for Har Hazeitim, Dr. Paul Rosnstock , Menachem Lubinsky, Dr. Alan Mazurek, and Dov Fishoff.
Speaking at a distinguished leadership dinner of the Syrian Jewish community, Mayor Moshe Lion of Jerusalem appealed for increased participation of the Jewish community in protecting Har Hazeitim in the Holy City. The reception organized by leaders of the Syrian Jewish community gathered nearly 150 leaders of the community last month at Castel’s Restaurant on Avenue U in Brooklyn. The organizing committee consisted of noted activists Harry Adjmi, Sammy Ayal, and Elie Nackab. The event was sponsored by OP Jerusalem “luxury living.” The mayor was accompanied by Eyal Chaimofsky, chairman of the Jerusalem Development Authority, which oversees many historic projects in the capital.
Menachem Lubinsky, together with his brother Abe, founded the International Committee for Har Hazeitim in 2010 after years of neglect. Menachem passionately spoke about the holiness and historic significance of Har Hazeitim. In addition to being the oldest and holiest Jewish cemetery in the world, with more than 150,000 Jews being buried there, Lubinsky said, “Har Hazeitim was also the venue where the kohanim prepared for the avoda across the road in the Temple, where the ashes of the parah adumah (red heifer) were burnt, [and] where the new Jewish month was proclaimed, amongst other key milestones in Judaism. The Nevi’im Chagai, Zecharia, and Malachi, as well as Hulda are buried here.”
Rabbi Eli Mansour offered divrei beracha to the assemblage, focusing on the sanctity of Jerusalem and its connection to every individual. He praised the role of Mayor Lion in continuing to build the growing city of Jerusalem. A great deal of focus of the evening was on the planned Visitor Education Center on Har Hazeitim. After more than a dozen years of planning, the construction of the magnificent Center is under way.