Community Update From Jewish Future Alliance

Two Orthodox Judges Nominated for Kings County Supreme Court
In the upcoming election, the Democratic party line for open seats on the Kings County Supreme Court will feature two Orthodox judges, Saul Stein and Rachel Freier. The Kings County Democratic Party has selected them to appear on the ballot, alongside four other candidates: Joanne Quinones, Sharon Clarke, Caroline Piela Cohen, and Heela Capell.

These nominations were announced after the annual meeting of the Brooklyn Democratic district leaders on Monday, August 7th.

It’s essential to note that the District Leaders from the Crown Heights played pivotal roles in securing the nomination of these Orthodox judges. This underscores the significant influence of the Anash voting bloc and its direct impact on our community. Given the deep blue nature of Kings County, encompassing all of Brooklyn, judges chosen by the party are almost always expected to secure victory in the election.

Eastern Parkway Closed to Traffic Next Shabbos
The NYC DOT has announced the start of Summer Streets, marking the most substantial expansion in the program’s 15-year history. This highly regarded initiative, which designates streets for recreational activities like playing, walking, and biking, will now encompass all five boroughs.

On the upcoming Shabbos, August 26th, the Summer Streets event will be hosted on Eastern Parkway. During this period, the primary parkway will be closed to car traffic, while the service lane will remain open, ensuring that parking won’t be affected. This provides an excellent opportunity for families to enjoy a leisurely Shabbos walk on the main parkway.

It’s important to note that even though free activities will be offered, the city has taken proactive steps to avoid holding them near significant locations such as 770 or other synagogues down the parkway. We extend our gratitude to the DOT and the Mayor’s office for their thoughtful consideration.

Event Details: Eastern Parkway (between Grand Army Plaza and Buffalo Avenue) Date: August 26, 2023. Time: 7 am to 1 pm

New York Extends Medicaid Postpartum Coverage to 12 Months After Birth
New York’s Medicaid and Child Health Plus programs have made a significant improvement by extending postpartum health coverage from the previous 60-day period to a full year. This change, already in effect and approved at the federal level, covers all enrollees.

In New York, more than 7.7 million individuals are currently enrolled in Medicaid, and an additional 1.3 million are enrolled in Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan. With this extended coverage, approximately 26,000 additional New Yorkers will now be eligible to receive comprehensive healthcare through Medicaid and Child Health Plus for a full year after giving birth, without any disqualification due to changes in income or household size.

NYC Enforces New Sanitation Law Requiring Rigid Containers for Food Businesses
Starting from August 1, 2023, all food-related businesses in NYC, including restaurants, grocery stores, delis, bodegas, caterers, and more, are now mandated to use secure-lidded rigid containers for their trash collection. This regulation extends to catering establishments, food manufacturers, food preparation establishments, food service establishments, food wholesalers, and retail food stores.

A growing rat problem underscores the significance of this change, prompting everyone to contribute to keeping the streets clean. However, the requirement to remove containers from the curb before reopening poses logistical challenges for many local businesses.

The issue of limited space on the streets and in stores further complicates compliance. Sharing containers is not an option due to private pick-up arrangements, leading to instances where many local establishments have received tickets for non-compliance.

The Jewish Futures Alliance is working with Community Board 9 and Council Member Hudson’s office in a collaborative effort to work alongside the city and seek a viable solution to address these challenges.

The objective of this update is to raise awareness about community matters and encourage active participation in the democratic process. Our goal is to keep everyone well-informed about the latest developments in the neighborhood by providing regular updates.