L.A. Jewish Man Forced to Sign Ticket on Shabbos

Los Angeles, CA - A twenty seven year old Brooklyn resident visiting Los Angeles on business last month found himself facing a difficult dilemma after crossing against a red light on his way to Shul Shabbos morning, when a policeman who ticketed him for jaywalking insisted that he either sign the ticket or be arrested and taken in to the local precinct for booking.

According to the Brooklyn man who asked not to publish his name, the incident occurred on January 21st at the corner of West 7th and Grand Streets in downtown Los Angeles. The man was on his way to Chabad of Downtown Los Angeles, located at West 7th Street and Broadway when he was approached by the officer, three blocks from where the infraction occurred.

Particularly disturbing was what appeared to be the anti-Semitic attitude of the police officer, according to the Brooklyn man, who felt that his religious rights were violated in the incident.

“My only choice was to sign the ticket or go to jail in his car,” the Brooklyn man told VIN News. “I explained to him that why I couldn’t sign the ticket. I told him to check my pockets so he could see I didn’t have a penny on me or any identification to prove that I am Jewish. He said ‘Just sign. G-d won’t be upset at you.’ I told him the Rabbi was right next door in the synagogue and asked if I could just go ask him if I should sign the ticket or face arrest, but he didn’t let me move away from the spot where he stopped me saying, ‘You aren’t going anywhere before you sign.’ It was clear that he knew that Jewish law prohibited me from signing the ticket, but he had no interest in my allowing me to uphold my religious rights.”

Feeling he had no other choice, the Brooklyn man signed the ticket, to which the officer allegedly responded, “Enjoy your Shabbos and keep safe.”

Sergeant Mitzi Fierro of the Media Relations section of the LAPD was dismayed to learn of the incident and said that while this incident took place outside the typically Orthodox areas of Los Angeles the LAPD, particularly in the Wilshire, North Hollywood and Van Nuys divisions which have large Jewish populations, prides itself on being sensitive to the religious needs of the people it serves.

“It is in fact, the policy of the Los Angeles Police Department to allow each person the right to exercise their religious freedom,” Sergeant Fierro told VIN News. “In this particular case, while I am not privy to exactly what occurred on that particular day, if the officer believed it was necessary to cite Mr. D, then he should have been allowed to receive his ticket in a manner that would not violate his religious beliefs. We spend hours training our officers, and conduct community outreach to all of our different communities within the city, including the Orthodox Community. I am at a loss as to why this officer would have forced the issue, unless he was unaware of this particular practice.”

Efforts to reach Sergeant Fierro’s commanding officer were unsuccessful.

While the Brooklyn man is hoping to put this incident behind him, he is hoping that others can learn from his unfortunate experience, which left him facing a hefty fine.

“Jaywalking is strictly enforced in Los Angeles,” he advised. “If you get ticketed for jaywalking, it will cost you $200 and if you refuse to sign a ticket, even on Shabbos, you will not only get arrested but will be fingerprinted, booked and have to return at a later time for a court date.

VIN News

Brooklyn, NY - Hikind Decries Leaving Children Unattended Outside Stores While Shopping

in this undated photo Two infants left unattended outside a restaurant on 13th Ave in Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn, NY - Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) was shocked when he recently encountered not one, but two unattended children – one infant and one toddler – crying in their strollers while parked outside different stores on 13th Avenue in Boro Park. Both children were observed crying and by themselves for more than ten minutes. It is a phenomenon Hikind says he sees all too often in Boro Park.

“This issue has been going on for years in Boro Park,” Hikind said. “Time and again, I have pleaded with parents, telling them that leaving their children alone in their strollers while they shop or dine in local stores and restaurants is incredibly dangerous. Would you leave your purse unattended? Of course not! So, why do so many people leave their most precious asset of all – their children – unattended? It makes absolutely no sense to me. We must protect our children.”

Hikind said that his concerns are reflected by many in the community who have complained to him that something needs to be done. “Constituents and I discuss all the time that the possibility for a real tragedy exists any time children are left alone. Our community already suffered a tremendous tragedy last July. I cannot bear the thought that something similar could God forbid occur again because people are being reckless with their children’s lives and safety.”

Hikind is urging parents to exercise better judgment and to use common sense before deciding to leave their children unattended.

VIN News
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ברוקלין, ניו יורק. חבר בית המחוקקים דב הייקינד, טוען שהורים לא הפנימו את הלקח מהרצח הנורא של הילד לייבי קלצקי ז"ל. הוא קורא להורים שלא להפקיר את ילדיהם לשעות ארוכות ברחוב.

הייקינד נתקל לדבריו, בשני ילדים שנותרו ללא השגחה בשדרה ה -13 בבורו פארק. שני הילדים נצפו בוכים לבדם יותר מעשר דקות. וזו תופעה שלדעתו נפוצה מידי:

"הנושא הזה נמשך כבר שנים בבורו פארק פעם אחר פעם", אמר הייקינד, "אני מפציר בהורים: אל תעזבו ילדים לבד בעגלות, בזמן שאתם יוצאים לקנות או לסעוד במסעדות. זה מסוכן מאוד.

"את הארנק שלכם הייתם משאירים בלי השגחה?, אומר הייקינד, "ברור שלא! אז, למה כל כך הרבה אנשים עוזבים את הנכס היקר ביותר שלהם מכל - ילדיהם - ללא השגחה? זה לחלוטין לא נשמע לי הגיוני. עלינו להגן על ילדינו".

הייקינד הוסיף כי "הקהילה שלנו סבלה כבר טרגדיה עצומה כאשר נרצח הילד לייבי קלצקי, אני לא יכול לשאת את המחשבה שמשהו דומה יקרא חלילה, בגלל הורים רשלנים".

Mineola, NY - Flatbush Vaad Vouches For Morrell

Scott Morrell at press conference at New York State Supreme Court in Mineola, NY.

Mineola, NY - The rabbi who provides kashrus supervision for Scott Morrell at the Woodbury Jewish Center came out strongly in support of Morrell and his catering business today, saying that the Vaad Hakashrus of Flatbush has supervised and will continue to supervise Morrell Caterers at their Woodbury location.

“We are not changing anything or kashering anything,” Rabbi Meir Goldberg told VIN News. “We have done our investigation and nothing was compromised. We stand behind them one thousand percent.”

In a letter released today by the Flatbush Vaad, Rabbi Goldberg affirms that there is constant supervision at the Woodbury facility, with a mashgiach inspecting all items and that only the mashgichim have keys to the kitchen which is kept locked when they are not present. Rabbi Goldberg further explained that when Morrell Caterers caters an event at any other facility, including Temple Israel in Lawrence and Temple Beth Torah in Melville, the entire kitchen and all utensils are kashered completely.

While Scott Morrell is not Orthodox, Rabbi Goldberg said he had complete confidence in Morrell, calling him “one of the most upstanding people I know. Scott does not play games when it comes to kashrus.” Rabbi Goldberg further marveled at the fact that people are ready to take the word of two disgruntled non-Jewish employees.

“Halachically they have absolutely no ne’emanus,” said Rabbi Goldberg. “We have a reputable high end caterer, who is known to be ethical, with a reliable hashgacha and these two men come along and everyone is up in arms? It is sad to see how two non-Jews can pit Jew against Jew.”

In a statement released by Morrell, he pointed the finger of blame not at Tom Cataldo and Michael Savitsky, the two former employees who have accused him of serving tainted food, but rather at Howard Fensterman, a former client who is now a defendant in a $19 million insurance scam. Morrell alleges that the accusations against him have been masterminded by Fensterman, a managing partner at a Lake Success law firm, in an attempt to persuade him to withdraw from the lawsuit, accusing Fensterman and others of misappropriating funds and then telling investors that the money was appropriated by members of a royal family in Dubai. Morrell is one of three plaintiffs in the Delaware lawsuit and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages of 1.6 billion dollars.

Brooklyn, NY - Rabbi Meisels: Leave Seagate and Coney Island Before Shabbos

Brooklyn, NY - With a first time ever mandatory evacuation order in effect for many low lying areas of New York City, a special p’sak from Rabbi Meisels urges all residents of Seagate and Coney Island to evacuate their homes before Shabbos to avoid a potential chilul Shabbos if they are forced to leave their homes tomorrow.

“According to Mayor Bloomburg, it is mandatory to leave tomorrow at 5 PM,” said Rabbi Meisels in an interview with VIN News. “Since the time for mandatory evacuation will be on Shabbos and we won’t be able to leave then, we are telling people to go before Shabbos. We hope that ultimately this will all have been for nothing, but we are recommending that people leave now.

New York - Brooklyn Day Camp Entertains Its Campers By Offering Free Car Washes

Brooklyn, NY - A Borough Park camp found a unique way to both entertain its campers and provide a service to the community by offering free car washes the day after Tisha B’Av.

The Sanz Klausenberg Day Camp, located on 50th Street between 13th and 14th Avenue, arranged a full service car wash which was advertised on the Dee Voch Twitter account.

While 50th Street, a bus route, could not be closed for the event, Simcha Bernath coordinator of Borough Park Shomrim arranged for the closure of 51st Street between 13th and 14th Avenue for the duration of the two hour event.

The car wash, whose water was supplied by block residents, consisted of six distinct stations, each manned by four campers ranging in age from eight to twelve. Each car had its tires and rims brushed, was sponged down and washed with soapy water and then sprayed down by hose wielding campers.

A tent erected in the middle of the block was equipped with lawn sprinklers to thoroughly wash down each vehicle.

Another group of campers towel dried the cars and at the final station, every driver was treated to the air freshener of their choice.

An estimated one hundred cars took advantage of the car wash, which was held from 2 to 4 PM and was closely supervised by counselors at all times.

“This was a perfect activity after nine days of not being able to wash your car and definitely a first in Boro Park,” said videographer Heshy Rubinstein in an interview with VIN News. “It was set up beautifully and the campers did an excellent job.”

Borough Park, NY - NYPD, Shomrim Conducting Massive Search for Missing Child

Photo of missing 9 year old























UPDATE 7:00AM (Tuesday): Unfortunately, the child has not been found. Thousands of people searched the streets of Boro Pak all night long, but have come up empty-handed.

Shomrim are looking for volunteers to help Tuesdy morning. If you are available to assist, please proceed to the Shomrim Command Center on 15th Avenue and 57th Street.

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Borough Park, NY - In a coordinated effort, Boro Park, Flatbush and Williamsburg Shomrim are conducting an extensive search tonight in Brooklyn, NY for a nine year old boy who did not come home from day camp this afternoon.

Leibby Kletzky left the Boyan Day Camp located at 1205 44th Street at approximately 5 PM this afternoon. The missing youngster, who answers to the name Leibby, has light brown hair, black glasses and was wearing a grey and light blue striped shirt, navy pants, black sneakers, a blue knapsack bearing the words “Nechmod Day Camp” at the time of his disappearance. Surveillance cameras from nearby businesses show the boy walking up 13th Avenue to 50th Street but there is no footage of Leibby after that point.

Boro Park Shomrim has set up a command center at 15th Avenue and 57th Street and volunteers are canvassing the area, searching stores, bathrooms and alleyways. The NYPD has been called in along with special K9 units to aid in the search. NYPD helicopters are currently in the air doing an aerial search as well.

“We ask everyone in Brooklyn to take a few minutes to walk out of their houses and search, their backyards, their driveways and their blocks,” said Chaim Deutsch CEO Of Flatbush Shomrim, in an interview with VIN News.

Deutsch indicated that it was too early to speculate if there is any evidence of foul play in this matter. Shomrim also requested that people check their Shuls for the missing boy, paying special attention to the bathrooms.

The public is requested to say Tehillim for the safe return of Yehuda ben Esther.
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דאגה בבורו-פארק: ילד בן 9 יצא מ"קעמפ בויאן" - ונעלם

עשרות מתנדבים ותושבים מפלטבוש וויליאמסבורג עורכים בשעות אלה חיפושים נרחבים אחר ילד חרדי בן 9, תושב בורו פארק, שנעדר כבר שעות ארוכות לאחר שלא שב לביתו ממחנה הקיץ שבו הוא משתתף.

לבי קלצקי עזב אתמול את מחנה הקיץ של חסידות בויאן בשעות הצהריים, ומאז נעלם. מצלמות אבטחה של חנויות מקומיות תיעדו אותו צועד לאורך השדרה ה-13 ובשלב הזה נעלמים עקבותיו.

משראו כי בנם בושש מלבוא, מיהרו ההורים המודאגים לעדכן את המשטרה ואת ארגוני ההצלה המקומיים. אלה פתחו בחיפושים נרחבים אחריו.

המשטרה הפיצה תאור של קלצקי בכלי התקשורת כדי לסייע באיתורו והזניקה מסוקים לאוויר המחפשים אחר הילד הנעדר.

המתנדבים סורקים כל חדר ופינת רחוב, במטרה לאתר את הילד ולהשיב אותו לחיק הוריו.

חיים דויטש, מנכ"ל פלטבוש שומרים, אמר בראיון לאתר "וואס איז נייעס": "אנחנו מבקשים מכל תושבי ברוקלין לקחת חלק בחיפושים, ולבדוק היטב במקומות הקרובים למקום מגוריהם. חפשו בחצר, בחניון. הוא יכול להיות בכל מקום".

במשטרה הסבירו כי נכון לשלב הזה, קשה להעריך האם זהו מעשה פלילי. בבורו-פארק, בכל אופן, מקווים שהילד יימצא במהרה והמשטרה לא תידרש לנושא.

הציבור מתבקש לומר תהילים לשובו בשלום של יהודה בן אסתר
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NEW YORK (CBS 2) — Dozens of Borough Park residents spent the night searching for 9-year-old Leibee Keletsky. The boy has been missing for over 12 hours, Kristin Thorne reports.

Leibee was supposed to meet his mother at 5 p.m. Monday after leaving day camp in Brooklyn, but never showed up.

Those with the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol said they’ve seen surveillance video that shows the little boy leaving the camp, but there was no sign of him otherwise.

Almost immediately people in the community came out to search, continuing through the overnight hours.

It’s unclear if Leibee’s disappearance is suspicious, but residents said they’re not taking any chances.

“Everywhere, up and down the neighborhood, every single block, every park, and so have hundreds of others,” one resident told Thorne.