By Nechama Piekarski for COLlive
I am a simple working mother living in Crown Heights, the Rebbe’s shechuna. My children attend the local schools, walking to and from events alone or with friends, their fears escalating each year.
I have lived in Crown Heights for the past 20 years and I see the deterioration of neighborly tolerance and basic respect. At the same time, I have some very decent non-Jewish neighbors with whom I share mutual esteem. I strongly believe that every human being should be treated with value and dignity.
This past Shabbos (May 5), my 13-year-old son was walking to mincha when one ATV vehicle in a group of three, driven by a black adult male, sped up onto the sidewalk aiming straight at him.
After jumping out of the way, my son watched in horror as the ATV then sped toward two bochurim who jumped out of the way in the nick of time.
My husband and my son approached a policeman on the corner of Eastern Parkway and Kingston afterward. They were told that they could not file a police report and there is nothing to be done about it; it is a common occurrence.
We, the Crown Heights community, have experienced four violent anti-Semitic incidents in the past month and those are the incidents that have been publicized on COLlive and elsewhere. But many others are not publicized, and sadly, we treat them as part and parcel of everyday life.
But Jewish blood is not cheap. Our children should not be victims. We already vowed once, Never Again! Let us not go like sheep to the slaughter!
I call upon our community leaders to demand that the local schools incorporate tolerance for all, including Jews, into the curriculum.
I demand that our leaders insist that the leaders of the African-American community develop a detailed proposal to combat hatred and bigotry toward others, including Jews.
It is not enough to give a press statement; action is needed immediately. A comprehensive plan, where tolerance workshops are given throughout the black community and violence against Jews is condemned is in order.
A program should be implemented where all incidents are reported with immediate repercussions for the perpetrators regardless of whether or not the victim has actually been hurt.
None of our communities can afford failure if we want to live in safety and unity.
I hope you read this message because your interpretation of Tanya is WRONG/ G-D forbid someone should read what you said who is not familiar with chassidus and be turned off. Actually, the Alter Rebbe explains that the souls of the righteous among the nations are from Klipas Nogah, Meaning neutral energy and are capable of elevating themselves and meriting the world to come. Please be more informative before you quote Tanya, or any source for that matter.
For more on this please see chapter 1 of Tanya and commentaries that follow.
Did you seriously just miss the entire point of this article? Maybe a basic lesson in focus can help.
Yes, even if law enforcement tells you nothing can be done. We should insist that a file be opened and the incident be officially recorded. Politicians and school officials should let these poor- excuse- for- humanity characters know that a record is building against them, which means no government jobs for them – ever; not in hospitals, public transportation, education, security, or any other job that requires a squeaky clean record, meaning no record at all. that’s the only way we can create the motivation in for them to behave. Classes in tolerance won’t help if their minds are so… Read more »
Bsd # 53 makes a very important point. One of the Rebbes top priorities is sheva mitzvahs and education. The Rebbe discusses it in terms of preventative medicine. Our children should be a part of the campaign. We must indeed influence by way of example. One cannot set an example without interaction. However the Torah has very strong guidelines about the appropriate gedorim that need to be in the mix. Lo telaicbo bechukos hagoyoim is of paramount importance. Light needs to strengthen not diminish. Immediate security issues have little to do with this in the short run. The Rebbe prioritizes… Read more »
We also teach our own children racism in our schools. The Tanya itself claims Jews are a superior race and the goyim come from the impure klippot. Teaching that to a child will give them a superiority complex. I live on a block that is mixed Jews and Gentiles and I am so ashamed of what my neighbors did to two young black children who only wanted to be part of the group and play with the Jewish kids the same age. The young black girl was crying because one family made such a show and point to say she… Read more »
Every single person should have a bottle of pepper spray on them at all times. You spray enough folks they will get the message. You can get it in upstate NY as well. No way any court will give you problems if you used it to protect yourself from death. Just aim and spray and they will be coughing and blinded for 20 minutes. Let them run to court if they do not like it, they tried to kill you or assault you and you sprayed them to save your life. Whose life is more important? Conceal carry is not… Read more »
might be to busy for the CH Jewsih community but Shomrim and Shmira aren’t.
They should be notified immediately so they can scour the neighborhood and get these choleras arrested !
THEN why does someone need to be hurt or worse (as #46, the article’s author) found out, before a police report can be filed? It’s illegal, period. A case can also be made for disrupting the peace, mayhem, terrorizing, etc., etc. How is it “police reportable” if a bike gets a ticket without even coming close to any pedestrians, and an ATV, which can do far more harm than a bike, can’t be ticketed unless they actually hurt someone????? Something is rotten at the 71st, and they’ve got Shmira and the CHJCC in their right pocket helping them! I’m sorry,… Read more »
“Vital Brookllyn Initiative” – Of the $1.4 billion in NYS funds going to central Brooklyn, $500 million is going to affordable housing. See Diana Richardson’s website.
Why don’t we request NYS Assemblywoman Diana Richardson and NYS Senator Jessie Hamilton to fork over some money for surveillance cameras to deter crime and catch the bad guys ?
I ask the Jewish mothers to organize democratic primary raffles and voting parties in the shuls on the day of primary, September 12, 2018 – register at least 30 days before
The Double Y – Yaacov Yudewitz
Of course!
Does the police have a double standard?
Of course!
Many of us have noticed this for years.
Though if we all voted, the politicians would change that.
I am the author. I have taken Eli Cohen’s advice, spoken with police and shmira, and I was told the same thing by both. Someone must get hurt before a police report can be filed. It is not okay for us to wait for physical injuries to occur! The law must be changed! How can we make this happen?
B’H to #31: your comment is such a relief because it dispels the concerns that# 26 and the article expressed that one could not file a police report. It seems that community members are not aware of the proper procedures for reporting incidents on Shabbas and yom tov and get immediate response from the from the authorities It seems vital that people know exactly who to contact on Shabbas and yom tov. As Rabbi cohen (#14) implied these incidents very likely could be considered pekuach nefesh and would require immediate attention as much as a hatzalah call . One who… Read more »
Although I don’t think we “sheep going to the slaughter”, I agree that we need to continue being vocal about this problem. Awareness and voting out people who don’t respond is the way to go. Thanks for writing
It is time to demand action from Precinct 71. It is 100% illegal to do what these ATV-thugs did!!!
Is Precinct 71 SO much in “triage mode” that someone has to be injured or worse, c”v, before they ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS???
I’m glad we have the various liaisons with the NYPD. But a bigger question is: Why should a Yid need “special go-betweens” such as CHJCC reps. or Shmira or Shomrim to SIMPLY be able to be protected by EXISTING LAWS????? It’s not like it’s 1946 and there may be a language barrier, etc.
on the sidewalks, as well as, cars parked on sidewalks next to driveways. There is little consideration for pedestrians in the community. The general safety of pedestrians should be addressed as well!
My son once a ticket for driving a bike on the sidewalk. This was before there was a bike lane. He went to court to fight it .
HE HAD TO PAY
Time to make our votes count with new elections for the vad hakohol
How would ANY martial art be a match for three people on moving ATVs barrelling toward one or two people on foot, on a sidewalk, on Shabbos?
OF COURSE learn all you can about self defense. But the people who think that would help with THIS situation (the situation the article was written about) are sadly mistaken!
Sorry to hear … but our only interaction with Black community is Crime or Hate Crime and where Jews always are Victims …. coincidence? I would say not … because we are so not organized as a community, we never do rallies and never aloud or demand …. look police shoot the black guy – match was organized…. Jews were bitten – silence and zero presence ….. we are too busy and not supportive …. we do have a lot of help for needy but never help for Safety… we teach our kids Safery rules but never how to protect… Read more »
Unfortunately these people don’t understand workshops. These are either young tennagers having “fun” or adults with hate and bigotry. The way to talk to these people is strengh. If everybody in crown hights right now would go and learn self defense it would be a huge game changer.
Please understand that every little detail of the story makes a difference in giving the ability to do something about it. Including the exact location where it happened and the exact time when it happened. Thank You.
I sorry to say but turning to our community leaders will get us nowhere, partially cuz we ain’t have normal community leader. Or maybe I didn’t realize who you referring to… Any candidate’s…
all over CH – when the weather is hot and sadly police not doing anything . we were almost hit by them when they all drive by red line on EMpire and Kingston – policeman just didnt do anything and pretended that he didnt see . we demad his name but he refused so who is the Boss here in CH ? why we were treated like second hand citizens ?
Regardless of who is elected, everyone just needs to VOTE.
Yes where the heck are our community leaders
Shmira and Shomrim volunteers are the best liaison to make sure that the report is taken and responded to immediately. They work closely with NYPD.
…they’ll lose their welfare benefits or their free Head Start.
Are busy taking pictures. There’s no time for petty incidents like yours. Make a press conference and they’ll be quick to show up.
Btw. What are they doing about the CH housing crises? Nothing!
I demand that our leaders insist that the leaders of the African-American community ….
Since when is african american a color? Its black and white
Is Mayor Dinkins back in office?
Oh wait he is… His new name is De Blasio.
“They were told that they could not file a police report and there is nothing to be done…”
WHAT!?
We’re back to the Mayor Dinkins days !? !?
G-d bless you.
You’re 100% right!
It’s about time.
Don’t justify the fact that you’re a good-for-nothing by saying “Voting won’t make a difference…”
Have we ever TRIED it before? NO!
Politicians respond to a community’s needs because they want their votes and they don’t want to lose them. They control the police, DA, and can convince black leaders to stop preaching antisemitism if they really want to.
If a community has no votes, what do think politicians will do for them? Nothing!
To number 9, sadly yes. It’s your choice. We left 15 years ago. Now we live in a place that “animals” like the one described above, would be lucky if they ended up in the ICU after an incident like that (in “normal” states – unlike NY, NJ and CA, justifiable homicide for self defense is a wonderful thing). It’s amazing what a 124 grain piece of lead, traveling at 1116 FPS can do! Even better is the psychological effect which it has on the “rest of the animals in the jungle” after it has been used a few times.… Read more »
Bsd isn’t there a community liazon to nypd to work out a method for getting a report filled on Shabbas and yom tov? Are these incidents not a matter of pekuach nefesh? Such things cannot be ignored. We mustnt tolerate these attacks. There is no such thing as a routine intentional attack. We cannot hold a whole ethnic community responsible but we must have a way of identifying and apprehending perpetrators who are responsible. No other city would tolerate this
Well said Nechama!
Don’t come on here and whine again. We have enough whiners already, it doesn’t help us.
Do something instead.
Are the politicians afraid of losing the Jewish vote?
THERE IS NO JEWISH VOTE!
If you don’t vote it’s your fault. Look in a mirror and complain to yourself, not to anyone else.
That is correct..People need to be dealt with the language they understand. Williamsburg and Boro Park have NO such problem, they call chaptz aim, and they do and know exactly how to handle it. The police look the other way, and probably say thank you under their breath.
chjcc Bitachon Frum Defence program for men – elderly members of our community. Practice with our professional instructors the life saving screaming, running technique and much more.Learn how to protect yourself and your family. Evenings and morning classes. 718-288-2947 at 899 Montgomery
From Eli Cohen CHJCC 1) Was the incident reported to police? 2) Does Shmira know the details? The people involved in this and all similar incidents should immediately report to police by calling 911 even on Shabbos if there is danger (or immediately after Shabbos if not.) If there is no report, the incident did not happen, as far as any official record. Also call Shmira or the community council to ensure that we follow up on the police report and get the proper attention to the threat. Also Shmira volunteers assist police in collecting video and other evidence. If… Read more »
We don’t need do-nothings to complain and whine about how bad the situation is.
Do something!
If we all voted the politicians wouldn’t want to lose our votes and they’d make sure the police do their jobs and the District Attorney locks these animals up.
Since we don’t vote, they don’t care.
The only way we’ll be taken seriously is if EVERYONE votes!
If everyone voted the politicians would be scared to lose our vote and they’d pressure the police to do their jobs and the District Attorney to not let these animals back on the street when they’re caught.
Since no one votes, they don’t care about us.
Whats about when African american blasting music in the late hours of the nigh police also can’t do anything…………… Do we live in a jungle???
Can you get a security camera pointed at that spot and have the license plate identified?
IF IT WAS THE OTHER WAY AROUND
THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING
OUR LEADERSHIP IS TO BLAME!
The politicians are very busy feeling important by the very important legislative breakfast….
Kol hakavod to Nechama for her to the point statement. Do we need to wait till someone is hurt before action is taken? We all know how the other community would respond if one of their children or adults were the victims. It is not helpful to just pander to, be diplomatic and sociable with elected officials when they do nothing to actively correct this situation and assure us a safe community. Do photo ops just make the participants feel important? Assure them more votes? Yes, please report all incidents and let’s hope our ‘spokespeople’ can actually take some action… Read more »
I will tell you sadly what is the only thing that works. If they learn that anytime they bother a Jew they will get a beating that will put them in the hospital. That’s the only language these thugs understand.
Thanks.
STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS !!!!!
Not okay at all