The mission of The Jewish Community Center in Manhattan is to foster an inclusive, engaged and informed community that embraces diversity and is rooted in Jewish values. However, because of Mother Nature, In order to see the latest information on donation requests and volunteer opportunities, please see our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jccinmanhattan
You do not need to be a member of Facebook or logged in to see this information.
To make a donation to the JCC’s Hurricane Sandy assistance efforts, http://www.jcc.convio.net/donate
Gail A. Brewer
More information regarding Hurricane Sandy assistance, and Election Day. Some info is very timely…now. Best, Gale 11.5.2012
-If you are not already signed up, this notification from the City of NY is helpful. Sign up at Notify NYC
HURRICANE SANDY
-Much thanks to all who have reached out to our office for volunteer opportunities to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. We are continuing to work with local electeds throughout the boroughs to communicate these coordinated efforts, and we will share them with you. Much appreciation to Shelly Fine and his CERT Team, as well as Judy Gross and many others at The JCC in Manhattan, all of whom filled a truck on Friday to bring to the evacuation centers still open in Manhattan, and to Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens throughout the weekend. The JCC in Manhattan filled over 40 packed cars which wonderful West Side volunteers drove to Staten Island on Sunday.
Today, Monday, November 5, 2012 West Side institutions are working with former Community Board Chair Mel Wymore to fill a large truck of supplies to go to Staten Island. You could drop off supplies at JCC, 334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76 Street, NY NY up to 10pm on Monday, November 5. Items needed: blankets, toiletries, wipes, flashlights, batteries. No clothes. The truck will leave the West Side on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
I also want to thank Mike Klein, Pamela French, Jeremy Wladis and many others who have been collecting supplies at the Firehouse Restaurant and bringing them by truck to a firehouse in the Rockaways. What an outpouring of support.
Thanks too to Fairway which sent their trucks and lots of food and supplies to Staten Island over the weekend.
In addition, Rabbi Allen Schwartz, spiritual leader of Congregation Ohab Zedek, Rev. Rosemary McNatt, Senior Minister at Fourth Universalist, and many other leaders have brought support and supplies to all parts of our city where they are needed, and they have raised money. Parents associations are doing the same.
Finally, 1000 people volunteered in the clean up in Riverside Park over the weekend! Groups came from Manhattan New York Temple of the Church of Latter Day Saints, from B’nai Jeshurun (led by the wonderful David Lieberman), and hundreds more. Much thanks to Park Administrator John Herrold, the staff of the Dept of Parks, and the Riverside Park Fund.
On Monday, November 5, 2012…info from the City Council as to where assistance is needed. Staten Island Councilmember Oddo and Assemblymember Malliotakis have organized volunteers throughout the weekend. Today they are at the Staten Island Recreational Association at 599 Fr. Capodanno Blvd. from 9am to dusk and will continue to help clean out homes that have been impacted by the storm. They are in need of cleaning supplies – shovels, rakes, brooms, gloves, garbage bags, masks, toiletries and pharmaceuticals (e.g. Tyelonol, Advil, etc.). Brooklyn Red Hook Councilmember Gonzalez along with a number of local community groups have been organizing volunteers to help residents and local businesses in the Red Hook area. Volunteers should report to 402 Van Brunt Street, between 10 am – 5 pm. Coney Island Councilmember Domenic Recchia is coordinating volunteers, at 2770 West 5th St, Room 4C (nearest open F Train stop is Avenue X), and they will send you to wherever you are needed most. Park Slope The Park Slope Armory shelter (361 15th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues) continues to need volunteers who can work a 12-hour shift, starting at 8 AM or 8 PM daily. You need to be comfortable working with the elderly, disabled, and other people with special needs and you cannot bring your children. If they have too many volunteers, you may be turned away, so be prepared for that. The John Jay High School shelter (237 7th Avenue, between 4th & 5th Streets) also continues to need day, evening, and overnight volunteers. You need to be able to dedicate at least 6-8 hours and cannot bring your children.
-From Brad Hoylman: Many of my neighbors are still without heat, hot water or plumbing. In coordination with the offices of our local elected officials and the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, we are seeking three (3) shifts of volunteers to go door-to-door in Fulton Houses and Westbeth to assist residents today, Monday, November 5.
How you can help: Show up at either 12 p.m. or 3 p.m. at the Fulton Center Auditorium (119 9th Ave between 17th and 18th Streets) to go door-to-door at Fulton Houses to assess residents’ needs. OR Show up at 4 p.m. at Westbeth (55 Bethune Street Washington and West Streets) to help carry water and other supplies to residents. hoylmanforsenate@gmail.com
-If you have collected clothes, and it is not needed for Hurricane Sandy, you can bring them to the Salvation Army at 268 West 96 Street, NY NY (212-663-2258). I imagine Housing Works will also accept clothes.
GENERAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012 – The Tuesday, November 6, 2012 General Election will be taking place as planned from 6am-9pm. Visit the Board’s website at www.vote.nyc.ny.us. On the site, you can check your registration status: https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/ You can also instantly download your poll site location and a sample ballot, thanks to a new tool that I have been a strong proponent of for several years: http://gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm If you have a smartphone, you can even download the sample ballot/poll site locator app here: http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/voters/apps.shtml. You can access more information on how to register here: http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/voters/voters.shtml. Also, if you have a valid New York State Driver’s License, you can register to vote online or change your voter information using the newly launched MyDMV website here: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/mydmv.htm#motv.
-The PDF for changes to approx. 60 poll sites is located here. It is slow to download.
http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/CountyBoards_StormUpdates/pollsitechangepostsandy.pdf
–http://whosontheballot.org/ is a website built by Columbia University Professor Ester Fuchs and others regarding what is on the ballot. Lots of good info.
-The NYS Board of Elections has established a toll-free number to assist voters with questions about voting, poll site changes and absentee ballots. The number is 1-855-NYS-SANDY (1-855-697-7263). Voters and poll workers can also check the NYS Board of Elections website (www.elections.ny.gov) for up-to-the-minute poll site changes. “311” can also answer questions about poll site changes as well.
-Also note that the NYC Campaign Finance Board and Mobile Commons have announced a partnership to help New Yorkers find their poll site on Election Day by text message. Text “NYCVOTES” to 877-877. The text system allows users to look up multiple poll sites. Follow the instructions provided to enter the address of the voter whose poll site you believe may have changed. Message and data rates may still apply. Customers can text ‘STOP’ to opt out of further messages. Spanish speakers can text “DONDE” to 877-877 to receive prompts in Spanish.
-Common Cause and NYPIRG Helpline 212-822-0282. National Election Protection Helpline 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Smartphones can go to http://pollwatch.us/ or text @pollwatchusa to 23559.
-Absentee ballots: Please note that the State Board of Elections extended the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to Friday, November 2. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 5, and must be received by the Board of Elections no later than Monday, November 19. If you are leaving imminently, or have not yet submitted a ballot that you applied for, please visit your borough office to complete an absentee ballot in person. Borough offices will be open from 9am-9pm. Manhattan residents, visit the 450 W 33 Street Office (212-465-0503 tel and 212-465-2135 fax) to complete an absentee ballot. (Other Manhattan offices at 42 Bway and 200 Varick have power but no phone service). If you live outside of Manhattan, you can locate your borough office information here: http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/contact/offices.shtml. Note the absentee ballot requirement: Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City, absent from said city, on Election Day. ■Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability; or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.■A patient or inmate in a Veterans’ Administration Hospital.■Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
-News from the wonderful West 55 Street Block Association regarding a change of polling place for Voting on Nov 6, 2012 (due to crane collapse): North side of W. 55 Street votes at John Jay College, 445 West 59th Street (301-357 West 55 Street) and the South side of the block votes, as usual, at PS 111, 440 West 53rd Street. In fact, anyone who used to vote at the Unity Center now votes at John Jay College.
-Anyone who used to vote at Bard HS, 525 E. Houston St, NY NY now votes at S 188/196 at 442 E. Houston St, NY NY
-To work at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 6: There are training classes today but some are filled. Poll workers and attorneys are still needed. Please contact the Board office before showing up. Manhattan: 3 Inspector classes for Monday November 5th, 2012 10 AM-1 PM; 12(noon) – 3 PM; and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM at Manhattan VMF, 450 West 33rd St., 8th floor (between 9th & 10th) NY, NY 10001 (212-465-0503 or sthompson@boe.nyc.ny.us). The Other 3 Boroughs are scheduling classes on an as needed basis. Bronx contact is Liz English at EEnglish@boe.nyc.ny.us Queens contact is Amanda Conacchio at aconacchio@boe.nyc.ny.us Staten Island contact is Lisa Sattie at LSattie@boe.nyc.ny.us Brooklyn has scheduled 2 basic poll worker classes at Bao Church, 401 Atlantic Avenue at Bond Street, Brooklyn at 9am ?C 12noon and 1pm ?C 4 pm. The Board of Elections, at this point, does not want people to take half day trainings but does need attorneys. Liz Fine, General Counsel for the City Council can answer questions. elizabeth.fine@council.nyc.gov
-Finally, I am worried about notifying people where the changed polling site is and getting them there. NYC BOE staff is working very hard, but New Jersey seems to be initiating a more flexible system.
EVENTS
-Monday, November 5, 2012 at 7:30pm at Advent/ Broadway Church, 2504 Broadway at 93rd St. NY NY 10025 MUSIC MONDAYS PRESENTS in the Tempest: Hosted by and Music of Thomas Adès. Performers include Todd Palmer, clarinets | Miranda Cuckson, violin| Julia Bruskin, cello | Aaron Wunsch, piano | Taka Kigawa, piano. Composer, conductor, pianist, and youngest ever winner of the Grawemeyer Award, Thomas Adès takes the podium at the Metropolitan Opera this fall to conduct his own opera The Tempest. Adès’s artistic voice is admired the world over. FREE 212-665-2504 or
www.musicmondays.org
-Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Urban Justice Center, and Goddard Riverside’s SRO Law Project sponsor free 2012-2013 Monthly Housing Clinics, 6PM-8PM at Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Ave. at 88 St., NY NY. Info: 646 459-3017 or CM Brewer at 212-873-0282. Funding is thanks to Council Member Eric Dilan, Chair, Housing Committee and initiator of the Housing Preservation Initiative of the NYC Council. On the 1st Wednesday of each month, the clinic provides a presentation, followed by questions and answers. An attorney meets with individuals who are seeking legal advice. The schedule for fall 2012 and spring 2013: ALL WEDNESDAYS November 7, 2012 ?C Roommates & Subletting; December 5, 2012 ?C HPs, Repairs, Bedbugs & Cockroaches; January 9, 2012 ?C Harassment; February 6, 2013 ?C Non-Primary Residence; March 6, 2013 ?C DHCR Overview, including MCIs & 1/40ths; April 3, 2013 ?C City-Wide Housing Related Campaigns; May 1, 2013 ?C Preferential Rents, SCRIE & DRIE; June 5, 2013 ?C Succession Rights.
-Thursday, November 8th from 9:00am – 2:00pm at Lincoln Square Synagogue, 200 Amsterdam Avenue at 69 St, NY NY. Join Uri L’Tzedek and fellow rabbinic students, rabbis and Jewish leaders for a Yom Iyun on solitary confinement and prison reform. The day will include text learning, networking, and first-hand accounts of the dangers and injustice of solitary confinement. Registration is $18 and a light breakfast will be served. Please contact Yael.Keller@utzedek.org with any questions. RSVP This event is co-sponsored by TAG Institute, Rabbis for Human Rights – North America and NRCAT.
-Sat and Sun, November 10 and 11, 2012 from 10am-5pm Tulip Planting Festival at the West Side Community Garden, between 89 and 90 Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues – MID BLOCK. Individuals and families welcome. http://www.westsidecommunitygarden.org/
-This Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 – I will be turning 32! In light of the events from the past year, months and week, I think it’s best to say simply, that I feel very lucky and grateful. On Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 3pm there will be beer, pretzels, Jenga and friends at Spritzenhaus, located at 33 Nassau Avenue, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I completely understand between public transit disruptions, gas shortages, and Election Day exhaustion if it’s too challenging for some to join – it would be great to see you if it works and at the very least I hope we see each other soon. Shulamit Elisheva Warren swarren@council.nyc.gov (Happy Birthday, Shula, from lots of grateful people!)
-Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 6pm-8pm at the Office of Manhattan Borough President, 1 Centre Street, 19 Floor, NY NY is LOVE YOUR BLOCK Info Session sponsored by Citizens Comm for NYC. Learn how to apply for a grant to clean up your block. RSVP: Rilfredo Florentino at 212-822-9580 or wflorentino@citizensnyc.org
-@MACAULAY LAUNCHES AUTHOR SERIES ON MANHATTAN’S WEST SIDE The publishing community is collaborating on an exciting new venture: the @Macaulay Author Series. Partnering with Macaulay Honors College at CUNY 35 West 67 Street (Central Park West?CColumbus Avenue), NY NY the series will bring writers of the best in new fiction and nonfiction to our neighborhood. 7pm. Free but RSVP. Reservations online: http://macaulay.cuny.edu/rsvp. Questions: Olga.barskaya@mhc.cuny.edu or 212.729.2913. -Tuesday, November 13, 2012 -The goose-bumps-inducing R.L. Stine will share his first novel for adults, Red Rain (Touchstone/Simon&Schuster). Destined to become as enormous a best seller for grownups as his celebrated Goosebumps novels are for the young, Red Rain takes an unsuspecting travel writer to an isolated island off the South Carolina coast during hurricane season. But it’s the storm’s aftermath that confronts her with true horror. -Monday, December 10, 2012 @Macaulay presents ABC “Chew” star Carla Hall and her very personal cookbook and memoir Cooking With Love: Comfort Food That Hugs You (Free Press). A sure hit for the holidays, Cooking With Love bubbles over with family stories, refreshing recipes and culinary adventures.
-Sat and Sun, November 17 and 18, 2012 Goddard Riverside Community Center Book Fair, 593 Columbus Avenue at 88 St, NY NY. 50% off most new books. http://goddard.org/events/book-fair/
-Monday, November 19, 2012 at 5:30pm – Reception celebrating PHOTOGRAPHS of the 1st Women’s Conference in Houston, TX., Office of the Manhattan Borough President, 1 Centre Street, 19th floor, NY NY
-Monday, November 26, 2012 WINTER’S EVE AT LINCOLN SQUARE, 5:30pm-9pm, sponsored by the Lincoln Square BID in Time Warner-Lincoln Center area, 63rd Street and Broadway www.lincolnsquarebid.org. Fabulous event with free music and lots more. Volunteer at the event and get a free gift. 212-581-3774.
-Wednesday, November 28-December 24, 2012 – 9th Annual Columbus Circle Holiday Market ?Cvendors wanted. http://urbanspacenyc.com/columbus-circle-holiday-market/
POLITICAL
West Side Obama headquarters at: Broadway at 102 Street (Three Parks and Broadway Dems) and 410 Columbus Ave at 80 Street (CFD, Ansonia and Park River Dems).
If you’re interested in Election Day volunteering, to help Get Out The Vote for great candidates like Mark Murphy running for Congress, please contact Cong Nadler at (212) 352-0370. There are opportunities to phone bank, canvass, poll watch, and more.
