Mumbai, India - Jews Heading Hitler Restaurant

Mumbai, India - Jews in the city who were hurt by the naming of an eatery in Navi Mumbai after Hitler, are planning to visit the restaurant for a meal and also to express their gratitude.
The owners of Hitler's Cross have decided to rename the cafe.

Ariela Massil, a resident of Nerul, is gathering her friends to go and eat at the restaurant. "It seems to be a happening place. But for the name, the restaurant would have been a culinary attraction for Kharghar," said the 21-year-old. It seemed young Jews were particularly keen to patronise the restaurant.
"Initially I was angry with the owners. But now it's clear that they had named the hotel unintentionally. So I plan to chill out there." Said Noel Moses Joseph.

And owner Puneet Sabhlok couldn't be happier. "We are very happy for the Jewish community and will welcome them with open arms. We will prove to them that they are our esteemed customers."
But Since they eat only kosher meat, Ariela made it clear that she will only try the vegetarian fare, which, according to Sabhlok, was not a problem with the wide variety of vegetarian food on offer.

Meanwhile, chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has sought information on how five other establishments in Mumbai have named themselves after Hitler. For instance, there is a gymnasium in Mulund named after the Fuhrer.

Borough Park, Brooklyn , NY +Unstable Building Vacated+

Borough Park, Brooklyn , NY +Unstable Building Vacated+ Fire Department were called earlier Shabbas noon to New Utrech Avenue between 54th and 55th Street's for some fire condition from some food left on the stove, being there they notice a problem with some support beams, questining the stability of the building, the requested Buildings Department and the NYPD of the 66th Pct also responded due to building may possibly be forced to vacate for the unsafe conditions.

Boro Park, Brooklyn, NY +Commercial Fire+

Boro Park, Brooklyn, NY +Commercial Fire+ Fire Department on the scene in Borough Park, Brooklyn for a commercial 100x100 building on fire at 1140 37th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway, fire remains D/W/H.

Woodridge, NY +MVA Traffic Alert+

Woodridge, NY +MVA Traffic Alert+ A motor vehicle acciedent near Florida Bungalow Colony on Mountaindale Road right before Glan Wild Road has Hatzolah BLS and ALS units responding, except traffic delays in the area.

Washington, DC +Man Arrested For Trespassing Onto White House Lawn+

Washington, DC +Man Arrested For Trespassing Onto White House Lawn+ A Chicago man has been arrested for trying to get onto the White House grounds through the gate where ticketholders are allowed in for public tours. He was stopped and did not make it inside the gate.

The 25 year-old Rob Rankin got into a scuffle with an officer who tried to stop him at the southeast gate and was arrested for unlawful entry and assault on a police officer.

President Bush was away for a long weekend with his family in Kennebunkport, Maine, at the time of Rankin's arrest.

Newark, NJ +Plane Being Searched+

Newark, NJ +Plane Being Searched+ A plane is being searched at Newark Airport after federal officials discovered that a student who had flown on it to Houston had dynamite in his checked suitcase.

There is no indication of any problem, but authorities in New Jersey are inspecting the plane on the runway.

Swan Lake, NY +MVA+

Swan Lake, NY +MVA+ A motor vehicle accident on Route 55 and Blanchard Road in Swan Lake, NY, Hatzolah on the scene requesting two ambulances, Sullivan County EMS also responding for the aided that are injuried.

London - High Court Dismisses Muslim Group Case

London - A High Court Judge has dismissed a case brought by a Muslim organisation who accused the British Foreign Office of knowingly assisting “acts of terrorism by Israel” in its campaign against Hizbollah in southern Lebanon.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), a London based Muslim advocacy organisation, said the government “aided and abetted” violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against the Geneva Convention by allowing US arms flights to Israel to use UK airports.
The IHRC sought a judicial review over what it says are “crimes against the Geneva Convention” and accused the government of “grave and serious violations of international humanitarian law”.

The judge at London’s High Court dismissed the plea by the IHRC for permission to seek a judicial review and an injunction against the government.

Warsaw, Poland - Man Who Attacked Chief Rabbi Sentenced

Warsaw, Poland - A court gave a two-year suspended sentence to a man who admitted attacking and insulting Poland's chief rabbi on a Warsaw street earlier this year.

The man was convicted of using violence and racially motivated hate speech, but was spared the maximum punishment of five years in prison, a court spokeswoman said.
During the trial, the man admitted that he provoked the incident by shouting "Poland for the Poles" at Rabbi Michael Schudrich and other Orthodox Jews.

Bangor, Maine +Plane from Manchester, England Grounded+

Bangor, Maine - American Airlines Flight 55 from Manchester, England, to Chicago has been grounded in Bangor, Maine, due to a “security concern."

The non-stop flight is carrying 167 passengers and 12 crew members, a spokeswoman said.

South Fallsburg, NY +MVA+

South Fallsburg, NY +MVA+ A motor vehicle accident in South Fallsburg near the Post Office on Hydin Road and Thomsonville Road, Hatzolah BLS and ALS are on the scene.

London - Kosher Cafe Attacked

London - The owner of a kosher cafe spoke of the terrifying moments when she was threatened with a knife and spat at in an unprovoked anti-semitic attack outside her Golders Green restaurant.

Mother of one, Linda Cohen from Hendon, said that the two attackers made threats on her life, as customers dined just a few feet away inside La Maison.
The 34-year-old, said the shocking scenes unfolded after the pair approached the cafe asking a colleague if it was kosher and shouting abuse at that female member of staff. Linda said: “I came out of the cafe with some coffee and saw these two men shouting abuse. Then they began shouting abuse at me. One of them came towards me with a knife attached to a chain and threatened to kill me, whilst shouting ‘I’m going to kill you, you [expletive] Jew’”.
As she ran inside to call the police, the two suspects began to walk off but turned around and began throwing chairs at her male colleague and punching him in the face and back, causing injury to his left wrist.
The two men then threatened to throw the chair at the restaurant window, but Linda ran out and pleaded with them not to, at which point they threw yet another chair at the male colleague. The suspects later ran off in the direction of Finchley Road.

Linda said: “I was shocked that it had happened to me, here in Europe... someone spitting at you and calling you a stinking Jew.
“It’s shocking that you’re living in a world where you’re attacked simply because you are Jewish.
“It’s very scary. Here we are, living in 2006 and it’s just getting worse. After the Holocaust, we thought things would be different. But we’re always under threat, and its scary”.

One of the suspects has been described as a 24-year-old male, 5 foot 10 inches tall, of European appearance, wearing a blue zip-up top and grey tracksuit bottoms. The other has been described as a 24-year-old male.

Queens, NY - So That's Where Your Toll Money Goes

Queens, NY - A toll collector at the Queens Midtown Tunnel stole more than $2,000 in tolls. 

Robert Applegate, 27, was arrested after his eight-hour shift ended at 7 a.m. Over the course of 64 shifts, Mr. Applegate stole $2,077.21, taking toll payments from motorists and pocketing the money." 

If convicted of larceny and other charges, Mr. Applegate faces up to four years in prison.

Manhattan, NY +Tornado Warning+

Manhattan, NY +Tornado Warning+ A tornado warning has been issued for northern Mnahattan and southwest Bronx, radar indicated a poss tornado near Morningside Hights moving 25 MPH eastward.

U/D: 11:10
Tornado Warning has been cancelled.

U/D: 17:49
The National Weather Service confirms a weak F-zero tornado touchdown in East Massapequa today.

New York, NY - Rabbi Mason Sues Missionary Group for Using his Shtick

New York, NY - Comedian Jackie Mason is suing a missionary group because they damaged him by using his name and likeness in a pamphlet.
"While I have the utmost respect for people who practice the Christian faith, the fact is, as everyone knows, I am as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami," Mason said in documents filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

The $2 million lawsuit seeks the immediate destruction of the pamphlets, which the group have been handing out at various points around New York City, with information inside about there group, and it also features an image of Mason. "The pamphlet uses my name, my likeness, my 'shtick' (if you will), and my very act, which is derived from my personality, to attract attention and converts," Mason said in an affidavit.
"They picked a guy who's an ordained rabbi, it dosnt speak very well for their judgment, does it?" Said Mason.

A spokeswoman for the group, said the pamphlet was "good-natured."
"Shame on him for getting so upset about this," she said.

Sloatsburg, NY +MVA+

Sloatsburg, NY +MVA+ A motor vehicle accident on the New York State Thruway near Exit 15, Monsey Hatzolah heading with an ambulance, H Base requesting additional units to respond.

Spring Valley, NY - Village Hires Former Assemblyman Karben

Spring Valley, NY - People stopping by the village attorney's office will soon see former Assemblyman Ryan Karben, who was hired by the village board this week to be first deputy attorney. Karben will be required to be at Village Hall 2 1/2 days a week and will make $55,000 a year.
Karben abruptly left the Assembly on May 18 amid allegations.

The 3-1 vote, with Trustee Bettie Brown voting "no" and Trustee Philip Rosenthal absent, was taken at the end of the board's Tuesday meeting, though it had not been listed on the regular agenda.

Mayor George Darden, who brought up the resolution under the "new business" portion of the agenda, said one of Karben's duties would be to oversee the village's $43 million urban renewal plan. "We hired him as a lawyer, not his personal life," Darden said about Karben. "I want a good lawyer and I think he is a good lawyer. I thought someone young and energetic would give our law department a jump-start."
"One of things we want to make sure is this project moves on," Darden said. "The village has been in limbo for 20 to 30 years. We want to make sure it gets done in the next three years."

Karben said that he was "delighted to be able to represent Spring Valley with the same vigor and focus that I represent with my private clients."

Trustee Bettie Brown said that she opposed the hiring because she didn't like being asked to vote on a resolution with last-minute information in a nonemergency situation, especially since it had not been discussed with her previously. Trustee Philip Rosenthal, who was on vacation in Los Angeles, said he was unaware of the vote or the mayor's plan to hire Karben. "I can't believe it wasn't mentioned to me," he said. "I had no idea."
Floyd Morse, who is a member of the village's Planning Board. "It's a shame."

Monticello, NY - Bandit Makes Off With Over $8,000 From Gas Station

Monticello, NY - Police are investigating a larceny of money and lottery tickets from the Raceway Exxon gas station on Raceway Road and Jefferson Street in the Village of Monticello.

The clerk at the station had left the counter unattended while checking on a gas pump outside. When he returned inside, he noticed that approximately $8,160 in cash and several lottery tickets had been stolen from behind the counter.

Police are looking to interview a possible suspect who was in the store when the clerk had gone outside. The suspect is described as a white male, 50 to 60 years of age, with gray hair and driving a gray Chevrolet conversion van. An investigation is continuing.

Shannon, Ireland +Plane from NY Evacuated+

Shannon, Ireland +Plane from NY Evacuated+ An Aer Lingus flight from New York heading to Dublin Ireland with 200 passengers on board, has been evacuated in Shannon, Ireland, following a bomb scare against the aircraft.

Brooklyn, NY +Fire at Commercial Bldg+

Brooklyn, NY +Fire at Commercial Bldg+ Fire Department were on the scene late last night and requested all hands for a fire on the first floor of a one story 90x100 commercial Social Security building at 61st Street and Fort Hamiltton Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. searches were negative, and upon arrival fire was D/W/H.

The NYFD also requested the NYPD to responnd to help out in crowd control.

Manhattan, NY +Falling Bricks+

Manhattan, NY - Falling bricks from a building on the Lower East Side of Manhattan has closed down the street.
Fire Department are on the scene at 120 Allen Street and requesting the Buildings Department to respond for a large crack on the outside walls of the building and some bricks that came falling down to the street.

Allen Street will be closed while the cleanup continues, and there are no reports of any injuries.

South Fallsburg, NY +Serious MVA+

South Fallsburg, NY +Serious MVA+ A serious motor vehicle accident with vehicle driving off the road into a ditch, with one aided unconscious on Laurel Park Road and Yeshiva Lane, Hatzolah on the scene requesting ALS on a rush with two ambulances to respond to the scene, and a chopper on stand by.

U/D: 17:66
Chopper Life Net-1 is in the air will be transporting the aided to Scranton PA.

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY +Fire at Dwelling+

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY +Fire at Dwelling+ KJ Fire Department went to the scene of a working fire in the bsmt of 16 Quickway Road and Van Buren Drive, fire was quickly knock down and is under control now.

Iran +Not Ready to Give Up Its NuclearProgram+

Iran +Not Ready to Give Up Its NuclearProgram+ A senior Iranian official said that in the next few days, a "surprise" was expected regarding Iran's nuclear program, according to Al-Jazeera.

The statement comes at a time when Iran has rejected United Nations calls to
halt its production of enriched uranium.

Some high-level Israeli officials say, that it is now clear that when it comes to stopping Iran, Israel "may have to go it alone."

Doyline, LA +City Evacuation after Expulsion in Army Munitions Plant+

Doyline, LA +City Evacuation after Expulsion in Army Munitions Plant+ An explosion and fire rocked a plant where military bombs are disassembled and recycled, forcing the evacuation of this city in northwestern Louisiana.

The blast at the Explo Systems Inc. site at Camp Minden, a former Army ammunition plant, is now a 5 alarm fire there are some reports of some aided injured, also did authorities shut down I-20.

Brooklyn, NY - Crown Heights Leading in City's Lead Poisoning Cases

Brooklyn,  NY - The number of city children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years who were poisoned by lead dropped last year, continuing a long-term trend.

But neighborhoods including East New York, Bushwick and Crown Heights still account for a large proportion of the city’s cases. A national goal set by the Centers for Disease Control hopes to eliminate lead poisoning by 2010.

Fleischmanns, NY +Missing Hikers Found+

Fleischmanns, NY +Missing Hikers Found+ Late yesterday about 1600 hours a group of 4 people went out hiking in the woods in Fleischmanns, NY two of the got separated from the others and have been missing all night, Kiryas Joel Hatzolah with the KJ Communication Truck all went up for the search also did Cheveirim send out a message to all there members to respond, and H and C Base were heavy involved as well.

But early this morning Hatzolah got a phone call from them from a pay phone at the entrance to the park near State Valley Park, saying that they are B"H fine.

Hatzolah is now on the way with the Park Rangers to locate them but they haven't been located yet.

U/D: 09:01
Hatzolah has now confirmed they have the two lost hikers on a Fleischmanns Ambulance, they were found 20 miles away from where they got lost and are being transported now to Margaretville Memorial Hospital adjacent to Route 28 in the Delaware County town of Margaretville, New York.

The search has been called off.

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +Vehicle Over Persons Foot+

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +Car Over Persons Foot+ A motor vehicle accident with a vehicle that went over a persons foot on 49th Street between 13th and 14th Avenue's Hatzolah on the scene.

Mumbai, India - Restaurant Under Fire, Drops Hitler From Name

Mumbai, India - A restaurant in India's financial hub has agreed to change its name from "Hitler's Cross" following strong protests by the country's tiny Jewish community and pressure from around the world.

"Hitler's Cross", which opened a week ago using posters of the Fuehrer and Nazi swastikas for publicity as was reported here on VOS IZ NEIAS, initially refused to change its name, but relented on Thursday and covered its signboards with white cloth.

The restaurant's name and its marketing gimmick had infuriated India's Jewish population, which had said it would fight any attempts at "rehabilitating Hitler".

"We acknowledge that the name adopted by us for our restaurant was most inappropriate," Satish Sabhlok, one of the owners of the multi-cuisine restaurant, said in a statement. "Our intention was not to glorify Hitler or his atrocities or ideology in any way and we regret the anguish caused by the use of this name."

The owners were yet to decide on a new name, he added.

The Indian Jewish Federation, the community's umbrella organisation, said it was relieved.

Spring Valley, NY +Suspicious Package+

Spring Valley, NY +Suspicious Package+ PD have closed off the streets, FD, Sheriffs Departmen, County Chopper-1 are all on the scene on Hickory Street and Route 45 for a suspicious package near the bank.

U/D: 10:34
Situation under control.

Monticello, NY - Firefighters Burn Down Wrong Buildings At Request Of Developer

Monticello, NY - It's not uncommon for developers in the Catskills to ask local firefighters to burn down old summer bungalows, remnants from the days when the region was a popular vacation destination.
But when the Monticello Fire Department burned down a pair of bungalows, they destroyed the wrong buildings.

The bungalows were owned by a New York City couple who had stayed at the property last summer. They drove up to Monticello last week to check on the bungalows and found they had been torched.
Fire department officials say an employee of Concord Associates, a local developer, thought the bungalows were on the company's land and asked that they be burned down. The company says it was just a mistake.
But the couple who owned the bungalows aren't happy. They have reported the incident to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn NY on Troy Avenue and Empire Blvd with a pedestrian that was struck, Hatzolah on the scene.

Brooklyn, NY +MVA+

Brooklyn, NY +MVA+ A motor vehicle accident with a motorcycle on 11th Avenue and 76th Street, Hatzolah on the scene.

Highland Park, NJ +Fire Erupted in Synagogue+

Highland Park, NJ +Fire Erupted in Synagogue+ A fire erupted on the basement-floor which houses a youth center, of the Highland Park Conservative Temple and Center at 201 South Third Avenue this morning.

No one was there when the fire started, and all religious artifacts were removed without being damaged.
The fire was contained to the basement, but there was significant smoke damage to the several areas of the synogogue and office areas.

One firefighter was injured after being trapped in the basement but has since been rescued. The severity of his injury was not immediately known.

West Bank +Top Palestinian Militant Leader Shot+

West Bank - A top Palestinian militant leader in the West Bank was shot in the head and seriously wounded.

Hospital officials said Hossam Jaradat, the West Bank leader of the Islamic Jihad's militant wing, was shot by Israeli soldiers in the Jenin refugee camp. But Islamic Jihad said it was not sure Israel was behind the shooting.

The Israeli army said it was checking the report.

Morristown, NJ - Yeshiva Student Arrested after Punching a Man

Morristown, NJ - A student of the Yeshiva of America was arrested for punching a man, trying to steal his car and then "mooning" onlookers.

Police were called by a resident of Tikvah Way, a residential condominium area for the yeshiva community, after he approached Yaakov Lipskier, 19, of Crown Heights, N.Y., a student, who appeared to be intoxicated and walking on the street.
The resident asked Lipskier if he needed help and even offered him a ride home. Police said Lipskier responded by grabbing the man's car keys and then got into the man's car and tried to put the car into reverse.
When the man tried to stop Lipskier, the yeshiva student punched the man in the face. Lipskier then got out of the car, threw the car keys to the ground and mooned onlookers that was attracted by the commotion.

Police soon found Lipskier farther up the road. He was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, theft and lewdness and released on $5,000 bail.

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY - Voters To Decide If To Lease New Dchool District Building From Vaad Hakiryah, It Could Cost $5M More

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY - A powerful landholding organization in this Hasidic community has taken over construction of a new public school for disabled Kiryas Joel children and could collect millions of dollars in rent from taxpayers for years to come.

Administrators concede that leasing the building for 30 years could cost about $5 million more than if the district itself built the school and borrowed money through bonds to pay for the work.
But Superintendent Steven Benardo argues the new arrangement is better because it would save money for the first 11 years.

The lease is subject to a referendum tomorrow. Voters will be asked whether the district should lease the building for up to 30 years and pay rent starting at $792,000 and rising each year with the rate of inflation.
The prospective landlord is Vaad Hakiryah, a private organization primarily known outside the Hasidic community as the buyer of ACE Farm, a 140-acre expanse beside Kiryas Joel. Vaad Hakiryah is already paying for the construction, according to Benardo, and if it leases, the district will likely get a comparable amount of state aid to subsidize the rent, Benardo said.
Leasing would not be new for the tiny district. It now pays rent to a local charity called The David Ekstein Foundation to occupy its building on Kahan Drive, Benardo said.

The latest construction estimate - $15.2 million - doesn't include the cost of the property, which Vaad Hakiryah owns. Benardo said the land costs "well over $1 million."

In addition to the short-term savings, Benardo said the advantage of turning over construction to a private party is that it can bypass the time-consuming bidding process that school districts follow. He is eager to finish before the fall of 2007. "We are in a very difficult situation here with a way to have my kids in by '07," Benardo said.

Benardo said that if the referendum fails, the district will issue bonds and build the school itself. But he's confident of the outcome. In the 17 years that the district has existed, he pointed out, no budget has ever been defeated.
Voting will take place from noon to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Ezras Choilim Health Center, 49 Forest Road.

Monsey NY, +MVA+

Monsey NY, +MVA+ A motor vehicle accident between a bus and a car on Route 59 close to the HSBC Bank, Monsey Hatzolah on the scene requesting Police to respond.

Melbourne, Australia - Youths Vandalize Jewish Clubrooms

Melbourne, Australia - Three teenagers have appeared in court for vandalism and theft at Melbourne's home of Jewish football and cricket - the David Mandie Pavilion at Albert Park.

Four vandals broke into the headquarters of the Ajax Football Club and Maccabi Ajax Cricket Club in the early morning hours, smashing windows, destroying trophy cabinets and stealing club memorabilia.
They were also charged with causing similar damage at two other venues in the area.
Two of the boys, aged 14 and 17, were arrested at the scene one of them was apprehended while hiding in a refrigerator.
They appeared in Children's Court charged with burglary, theft and criminal damage.
Police arrested two other boys later.

Ajax Football Club president Amir Perzuck said that the clubroom resembled a bombsite. "I think there were 35 broken windows between us and the other clubrooms ... there's glass everywhere. It's just a complete mess," he said. "The windows can all be fixed but it's just disappointing to see all the old trophies bent and smashed."

New York, NY - J&R Opening New Store in Midtown Manhattan

New York, NY - Downtown electronics emporium J&R Music and Computer World is plugging into Herald Square with a 35,000-square-feet J&R Express location within Macy's. It opens Wednesday. "It's a branded store within a store," said J&R co-owner Rachel Friedman of the mini-merger. "We will sell everything but small appliances because Macy's still carries them," adds Friedman.

The exclusive partnership brings Macy's back into the electronics business just a few years after closing up its department.

And J&R, which will accept the Macy's credit card, is hoping its second retail location will lure more uptown business shoppers.

Brooklyn, NY +Serious Assault+

Brooklyn, NY +Serious Assault+ A person was mugged at East 5th Street and Avenue "P" Hatzolah requested to the scene.

Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident with a pedestrian that was struck on Ocean Parkway and Cortelyou Road, PD on the scene requesting Hatzolah to respond forthwith.

New York - For Brokers, Religious Jews Can Be Tough Customers

New York - The buyers interested in the second-floor co-op at 545 West End Avenue were disappointed to find out it had sold. So when Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Toni Haber heard about a similar apartment two flights up, she thought her clients would be thrilled. They weren't impressed. Haber’s buyers were Orthodox Jews, whose specifications occasionally run counter to the rest of the market. Some, as Haber learned, are willing to pay a substantial premium for a low floor because they're not allowed to push elevator buttons during the Sabbath.


Elevators aren't the only consideration. Brokers say many prefer to live as close to the synagogue as possible, or place a high value on proximity to Jewish schools. Ruttner says buildings that erect a sukkah also attract many of her clientele. For others, having a formal dining room in which to host friends and family members for Shabbas get-togethers is a must. “If there’s nowhere to put a dining table, that’s a liability,” says Corcoran’s Mordy Werde, who’s Orthodox. Adds Ruttner: “The difference between my seven-room buyer who’s observant and someone who’s not is that the Shabbas observers do not look at the dining room as a possible bedroom.” And then there are the storage requirements. “You have separate dishes for the dairy and meat products,” explains Werde. “I would need double the space.” Which may be why apartments that have that oh-so-coveted feature that often ratchets up the price, may not be attractive after all, says Goldman. “People aren't going to be paying $1,500 per square foot for a kitchen they're going to need to rip up anyway,” he says.

Queens, NY +Smoke Condition in Airport+

Queens, NY +Smoke Condition in Airport+ Fire Department were requested by PAPD on the scene to J.F.K. International Airport to Hanger 16 for a smoke condition in the Hanger, Building has been evacuated.

U/D: 13:38
Situation is under control, smoke was just from some machinery, FD leaving the scene.

Manchester, England - Jewish Home for the Elderly to Close

Manchester, England - A Jewish home for the elderly in Manchester, northern England, has been threatened with closure due to mounting debts – and families of the residents are battling to save it.

Those responsible for residents at Newlands in Salford, Greater Manchester, were informed by mail that the institution can not continue to operate and were offered alternative accommodation.
The GMJHA advised families of those living in Newlands to find alternative arrangements.

David Helman, chief executive of the GMJHA, said: “Keeping in mind that this was a not-for-profit home, facing ever-increasing costs for staffing, energy and food, on top of the current deficit at which the home was running, this demanded a radical decision by our board of management to agree to the closure."

Brooklyn, NY - Driver Sampled his Load and Spilled It, Too

Brooklyn, NY - A tractor-trailer packed with wine and driven by a man who may have been sampling the cargo overturned on the Gowanus Expressway last night.

The trucker Eddie Davila, 30, of Brooklyn, was charged with drunken driving. "He was just over the limit," a police said.
Davila lost control of the rig and it flipped on its side in the eastbound lanes near the Sixth Avenue entrance ramp in Sunset Park.

All three lanes of the highway were closed as workers cleared debris and righted the truck. It was unclear what caused the crash, although sources said alcohol was a factor.
Davila was treated for cuts at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, and no other vehicles were involved and no one else was injured.

Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident on Ocean Parkway and 18th Avenue with a pedestrian that was struck, Hatzolah responding.

San Francisco, CA - Arrests Made At Protest At Jewish Community Center

San Francisco, CA - Police arrested 14 men and women after they blocked the doors of the Jewish community center in downtown San Francisco in protest of U.S. involvement in Middle East conflicts.

Bound together by ropes and metal tubing, six of the protesters sat directly in front of the building's glass doors, which had been covered by adhesive posters and handbills.
Sparks flew when a firefighter lowered a handheld power saw onto the piping connecting the arms of each protester. Once they were separated, officers escorted, carried or dragged each protester into a police van while onlookers cheered.

Several of the activists, a few wearing traditional yarmulkes, screamed that they were, "Jews against Israel's siege of Lebanon."
But Yitzhak Santis, a spokesman with the Jewish Community Relations Council, a public affairs organization representing the Jewish Community Federation, said the protesters were part of a "tiny fringe of the Jewish community."

According to police, the protesters were to be transported to the Southern Police Station and booked on misdemeanor counts of disturbing a business and lack of proper identification.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY - Tot Snared Inside Automatic Gate

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY - A 3-year-old boy playing on an automatic gate holding on to it to get a ride up, at the apartment complex on E New York and Kingston Avenue in Brooklyn, got the scare of his young life yesterday when something went wrong and the partition rolled up and didn't stop - taking him with it, where he got tangled into the roll of the gate where it crushed the boy, as was reported at that time on VOS IZ NEIAS.

Quick-thinking Crown Heights Shomrim members along with one passerby began working on freeing the child from the gate, when another passerby who saw what was going on pulled his minivan under the gate which Shomrim utilized as a stepladder to remove the child from the gate and then manually lowered the curled metal gate, springing a tearful Levi Ladayov.

The 12-foot-high Kingston Avenue parking-lot gate, serves as the entrance for cars to enter the buildings parking lot and is operated by a remote control, which apparently until Monday hadn't worked, and I'd served as a junglegym for the victim and his brother, who were climbing on it while their mother watched nearby.

Hatzalah were on scene a mere moment after Shomrim freed little Levi and he was unconscious at the time they arrived, when the child woke up and began screaming in pain, Hatzalah began stabilizing the child and transported him along with his mother to Kings County Hospital where he was listed in stable condition.
FDNY and NYPD’s ESU responded to the call as well.

Amsterdam, Netherlands +Northwest Airlines Flight Diverted+

Amsterdam, Netherlands - Dutch F-16s have escorted a Northwest Airlines flight bound for India back to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, and authorities detained several passengers for questioning.

U/D: 12:43
police have arrested 12 passengers from the Northwest Airlines flight that returned to Amsterdam's airport.

Bronx, NY +Traffic Alert, Major Deegan Expwy Closed Down+

Bronx, NY +Major Deegan Expwy Closed Down+ A motor vehicle accident with the vehicle overturned on the south bound of the Major Deegan Expressway at the Deopt Place involving an off-duty transit member with serious injuries, EMS requested with a rush, ESU and NYPD Highway units are on the scene, highway is closed down at this time.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn +Child Struck+

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY +Child Struck+ An accident with a 4-year-old child that was struck and pinned between a fence on East New York Avenue and Kingston Avenue. Hatzolah on the scene requesting ALS forthwith, child isn't moving.
ESU has been requested also on a rush for the extrication.


U/D: 18:43
Hatzolah transporting the child with major head neck trauma in serious condition to Kings County Hospital.

Queens, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Queens, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident with a pedestrian that was struck and is unconscious on Main Street and 72nd Street, Hatzolah responding on a rush.

U/D: 18:15
Hatzolah slowing down all incoming units.

Hebron - Jewish Settler Runs over 2 Palestinians

Hebron - A Jewish settler ran over two Palestinians in the West Bank City of Hebron.
Hebron Governmental Hospital said that Fayez Abu Hussein 16, and Ali Abu Hussein 15, were transferred to the hospital to receive treatement as they suffered from wounds and fractures as the Jewish settler ran over them south of Hebron.

Buchanan, NY - Nuclear Power Plant Sirens to be Tested Tomorrow Night

Buchanan, NY - For the first time, the Indian Point nuclear power plant siren system will be tested during the evening hours.

The 154-siren network will sound tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. At that time, the sirens will be activated for three to four minutes. Until now, siren tests were conducted during the morning hours.
If the sirens were sounded during an actual emergency, residents would listen to an Emergency Alert System radio or television station for information and instructions about any action to be taken.

White Lake, NY - Catskill Mountain Speedway Goes Silent

White Lake, NY - Effective immediately, all racing activities at Catskill Mountain Speedway have been discontinued.
A contributing factor to making this difficult decision, has been a local ordinance which restricts racing to only Saturday nights. Last year a number of Sunday events helped fill the place.
Also did current promoter Michelle Gannon say that a low car count and grandstands as the main reason that operating the Sullivan County facility is no longer cost affective.
To date, a third of the 2006 season has been rained out, contributing to the ill financial health.

Perth, Australia - Man Charge over Jewish Groups Hate Calls

Perth, Australia - A 41-year-old man has been charged with making hate calls to Jewish groups in Perth.

The man is expected to appear in Perth Magistrate's Court today charged with using a telephone to make abusive, harassing and anti-Semitic calls to Jewish community groups in Perth.
His arrest has prompted police to warn others about considering any unlawful religiously-motivated activity.
"All reports received by WA Police that are motivated by unlawful religious or racial behaviour will be treated seriously, and dealt with promptly, to ensure police maintain the trust and strengthen the good relationships that exist with all religious and cultural groups in this state," police said in a statement.

The 41-year-old man's arrest came after police received complaints that several interest and welfare groups associated with the Jewish Centre in WA had received hate calls.
He was charged with four counts of using a phone service to harass.

Rockland County, NY - To Purchase New Emergency Helicopter

Rockland County, NY - Officials want to retire the county's 32-year-old emergency helicopter and purchase a new $3.25 million model.
Dan Greeley, assistant director of fire and emergency services, said the helicopter has been used in a variety of missions, from search and rescue to lighting up a dark area for emergency workers. "It goes up quite a bit," he said.

Greeley said a new chopper would have more advanced radio and global positioning systems. It would also have a rappelling capability to send rescue workers by rope down to hard-to-reach sites, such as on Bear Mountain. "It could save hours," he said.
The new model would also include a winch, or hoist, to lower a basket or flotation device down via cable.

Now in the earliest of planning stages, the request for the new helicopter, sent from the County Executive's Office, was tabled at a recent meeting of the county Legislature's Public Safety Committee.
County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef said that it's more expensive to continually repair and replace parts of the helicopter than to buy a new one. "It's like a car," he said.
And there's an obvious safety issue for the county's pilots, Vanderhoef said, should the chopper break down during use.

Legislator and committee Chairman David Fried, D-Spring Valley, said he and other committee members wanted more information before voting to send the request on to the full Legislature.
The committee, he said, has requested a record of all incidents the helicopter has been called to, along with the types of calls.

The chopper has continued to get more and more requests, Johnston said, and has been going up several times a month.

Brooklyn, NY - Chasidic Families Are Priced Out Of The Boro, For Western N.Y.

Brooklyn, NY - The cost of living in Brooklyn has become so outrageous for some Chasidic families that a Williamsburg rabbi has carved a path of enlightenment - all the way to Scranton, in far western New York State.

As many as 100 families are expected to flee to the serenity of Scranton, in Erie County south of Buffalo, where rabbis Isaac and Altar Rosenbaum are opening a 900-seat private school.
"We are a very large group in Brooklyn and everything has become very expensive here - house payments, taxes, bills, everything," said Isaac Rosenbaum, 39. "It's too much."
Fifteen families from the Nitra and Nadvornah sects have already signed contracts on new homes, the most costly going for around $229,000, said a broker.

The exodus from Williamsburg and Borough Park started in June after Backus took out ads in a local Jewish paper and on a popular Chasidic phone line.
Those ads averaged 40 calls a day, she said. The rabbis, who sermonize from the synagogue Mamer Mordachi on Bedford Ave., were the first to respond. After a Scranton developer bowed out, the rabbis purchased the shuttered intermediate school for $400,000, Isaac Rosenbaum said.
Rabbi Isaac Rosenbaum said he believes he can lure several hundred more families - enough to fill the entire school.
Rivky Gross, 23, said she and husband Abraham, 21, have already picked out their dream home - a four-unit apartment building with a ground floor storefront.
That building will cost her $130,000, said Backus. "If I know there's going to be a Jewish settlement and they'll have everything we need, that's all I need to go there," said Rivky Gross, who currently rents an apartment in Williamsburg. "A lot of people are looking."
Luzi Friedman, whose family lives in Williamsburg, moved to Scranton last August. He plans to open a shoe store with the money he's saved on cheap lunches and cheaper parking. "I actually have a friend who moved in yesterday from Brooklyn - another city guy," said Friedman, 32. "There are plenty of Jews here, but I'm the first so far to walk around with a shtrimel."

Russia - Court Rules to Telease South Russia Synagogue Attacker From Care

Russia - A court in Russia's southern Rostov Region ruled to release an 18-year-old from a psychiatric hospital where he had been sent for treatment after attacking a synagogue.

Vadim Domnitsky was tried in January after he burst into a synagogue, brandishing a broken bottle and shouting anti-Semitic slogans. In June he was convicted of making death threats, but acquitted on hooliganism charges due to a lack of evidence.
"The case against Domnitsky was closed because of the low significance of the act," Domnitsky's lawyer said. "The ruling on compulsory medical treatment has also been canceled. He will be discharged from custody within 24 hours."

However, Igor Tkachev said he would nevertheless appeal the court's ruling because it recognized a crime had been committed, albeit not a felony. "We believe there was no crime and we are unhappy with this part of the court's decision," he said. "We intend to appeal the ruling and press for the case to be closed due to a lack of corpus delicti," he said.

The day before Domnitsky entered the Rostov synagogue, Muscovite Alexander Koptsev, 21, attacked a synagogue in the capital, stabbing nine people. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the attempted murder of nine people but the Supreme Court later overturned the ruling and sent the case for retrial, though it remanded the defendant in custody.

Woodridge, NY +Camp Fire+

Sullivian County, Woodridge, NY +Camp Fire+ A working fire and Fire Department is on the scene requesting Hatzolah to stand by with a couple of busses for a working fire at Camp Morris at 29 Old Falls Road.

U/D: 09:19
Woodridge FD canceling all further.

Moscow +Russian Jet Missing+

Moscow +Russian Jet Missing+ A Russian passenger jet with 170 people on board has disappeared from radar screens over Ukraine after sending an SOS message, and may have crashed.

U/D: 09:14
Russian emergencies ministry confirms that wreckage from passenger plane has been found.

Robinson, TX - 5 Admit Prank with Nazi Flag

Robinson, TX - Robinson police identified five men who acknowledged flying a Nazi flag as a prank at a high school, but they were not arrested.
The five Robinson High School graduates were tracked down and interviewed, Robinson Lt. Tracy O'Connor said. O'Connor said the men didn't grasp the significance behind the swastika symbol and didn't realize the impact it would have on the community.
O'Connor said he has not discussed with district Superintendent Michael Hope whether the district wants to press criminal charges.

India - Jewish Community on Alert

India - Synagogues in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai have been advised to step up their security and to become vigilant after two men attempted to forcibly enter the Magen Chassidim Synagogue in Agripada.

Anxiety seems to be at an all-time high among the community, which fears Jewish symbols in India could be targeted by anti-social elements. Though the police have little information on the two men aged 28 and 30 who made an abortive attempt to enter the Agripada synagogue, the Jewish community says there is tension in the air.
“The men insisted on seeing the synagogue, even when the caretaker refused to take them on a tour, claiming he didn’t have the keys,” said Daniel Isaac Chaulkar, synagogue secretary. “The duo wanted to see the rear of the synagogue. When they also insisted on carrying a bag inside the synagogue, the caretaker threatened to call the police, which forced them to beat a hasty retreat.” 

The Agripada police, however, have downplayed the situation. Though there is tension in the air, the Jewish community emphasised it had nothing to fear from local Muslims. “We have cordial relations with the Muslim community and both have thrived in India,” said Solomon Sopher, chairman and managing director of the Keneseth Eliyahoo synagogue, Magen David and the Ohel David synagogue at Pune.

Fallsburg, NY +Bungalow on Fire+

Sullivann County, Fallsburg, NY +Bungalow on Fire+ A working fire with children trapped inside in a bungalow at the Shaves Achim Bungalow Colony at 2 Elm Drive and Laurel Drive in Fallsburg, NY, Fire Department requested Hatzolah responding on a rush.

U/D: 23:27
Hatzolah on the scene reporting no one is trapped.
Fire Department requesting a retone for manpower due to heavy smoke showing on arrival.

U/D: 23:33
2nd Alarm Hurleyville with 1 engin and Woodbourne rescue and manpower requested to the scene.

Manhattan, NY +G.W. Bridge Traffic Alert+

Manhattan, NY +G.W. Bridge Traffic Alert+ NYPD Aviation, ESU and Harbor units are on the scene for a jumper off the George Washington Bridge, aided is DOA in the water of the Hudson River, two NYPD divers are deployed into the water, and Aviation has its basket lowered to recover the body and will be taken to Dycman Marina by EMS awaiting at the Manhattan side.

South bound of the Bridge is closed down.

U/D: 18:16
Situation under control.

Rochester, Minn. - +Former President Ford Ill+

Rochester, Minn. - +Former President Ford Ill+ Former President Gerald Ford has been fitted with a pacemaker.

Doctors say the former president is resting well since he received the pacemaker.

Washington - State Hit With $15 Million Lawsuit in 1999 Jewish Center Shooting

Washington - Five families with children shot or traumatized in a shooting at a Jewish center in the San Fernando Valley in 1999 have filed a 15 million-dollar claim against Washington state because the shooter was a Washington parolee.

The claim, potentially the precursor for a lawsuit, was filed against the state Department of Corrections, which was then responsible for supervising Buford Furrow Junior, an avowed white supremacist with a history of mental illness.
Furrow is now 44 and serving a life sentence at the federal prison in Marion, Illinois. He had been out of prison for three months and was on probation in Washington at the time of the shooting spree at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in Granada Hills (California).

According to the claim, the state agency should have monitored Furrow sufficiently to prevent him from accumulating the weapons he used, failed to obtain his psychiatric records and assess his mental health, and should have given more attention to court records of his close ties to hate groups.

The claim seeks 3 million dollars for each child.

Moscow +Jewish-Owned Market Bombed+

Moscow +Jewish-Owned Market Bombed+ An explosion at the Jewish-owned Cherkizovsky market, killed at least 10 people including two children and left 16 to 40 wounded, and right now our preliminary reports are that noone from the Jewish community was hurt in the blast.
The market is owned and operated by members of the "Mountain Jewish" community, which has its roots in Azerbaijan.

Investigators say the explosion, which caused a two-story building to collapse, could have been a settling of scores among gangs, but officials are not ruling out that the blast was a terrorist attack. The market in Moscow is used mostly by traders from China and former Soviet republics in Central Asia.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Commercial MVA by Machinery+

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Commercial MVA by Machinery+ A accident at Certified Lumber on Kent Avenue and Division Avenue with an aided that was hit by a High-Low and is pinned under a heavy beam, Hatzolah on the scene requesting ALS units on a rush, NYPD ESU also requested.

U/D 15:06
Hatzolah canceling additional units aided is concious, EMS and FD responding for the heavy bleeder .

Thompson, NY - Town Backs Off Tax Breaks

Thompson, NY - You want to move off Broadway in Monticello, with vacant storefronts aplenty, and set up business in the surrounding town?
That's fine. The Town of Thompson welcomes you. Just don't expect property tax breaks too, officials say.

Catskill Dermatology is planning a move from its cramped quarters on the village's main street, where it rents space from other doctors, to its own new, 6,400-square-foot space in Bridgeville.
Dermatologist Steven Fishman wants to expand his practice, adding the Catskills' first plastic surgeon, a $200,000-per-year physician's assistant, a second $300,000-per-year doctor and a smattering of other jobs.

The Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency granted him tax breaks, including a one-time mortgage tax exemption and a break on sales tax for building materials.
But the IDA also wants to secure a 20-year property tax break for Fishman totaling about $41,000, says CEO Allan Scott.

But Thompson, Supervisor Tony Cellini, who at one time chaired the county IDA, says the town is "strictly against" that kind of a break for any business right now. In recent years, the town has denied breaks to Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Staples and other retailers, he said.
"The IDA's of the opinion that they can shove this down our throats," said Councilman Bill Rieber. The Town Board unanimously passed a resolution opposing the property tax breaks. In the town's view, that's the end of the discussion. But Scott says he'd like to keep talks going.
"These are very difficult times," Scott says.

But Cellini says tax breaks should be handled case by case. "Let's not give the store away when we get these big projects coming in," Cellini says. "They're going to be here anyway."
Fishman said he was disappointed with the town's decision. "My understanding was that the Town of Thompson was behind the project up until a month ago," he says. "So I was surprised by the change of heart."

Jefferson, PA +Search for Suspicious Person+

Jefferson, PA +Search for Suspicious Person+ Department of Homeland Security and PA State Police are searching for two middle-eastern men in the area of I-80 and State Route 36 Exit 13, who were driving a freightliner that has the writing on the side saying Genesis Express and has Minnesota plates "G7915"

Truck has radioactive placecards, and the lock to the trailer was cut by the two men to gain access while at the Travel Center of America at the above location, and they gave false information to police.

Anyone that spots the tractor trailer notify immediately local authorities, or direct the Department of Homeland Security.

Elderly Suicide Tragedies

Elderly white men are more likely to kill themselves than any other group, according to some new research.

The report by the Population Reference Bureau, said that while suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, white men over the age of 65 commit suicide at almost triple the overall rate.

Catharines, Canada - 2 Men Ruled to be Nazis Could Lose Citizenship

Catharines, Canada - A St. Catharines man accused of being a Nazi concentration camp guard could be stripped of his Canadian citizenship after losing his case in federal court.
Jura Skomatchuk, 85, is accused of lying about his wartime activities to Canadian immigration officials in order to get into the country.
In a decision just released, Justice Judith Snider said she was satisfied that Skomatchuk was an SS guard of the Third Reich who worked as a concentration camp guard. "Mr. Skomatchuk failed to disclose that information to immigration officials at the time he came to Canada," Snider wrote in her decision. "In other words, Mr. Skomatchuk obtained his Canadian citizenship by false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material information."
The Ukrainian-born Skomatchuk came to Canada in May 1952 and became a citizen in October 1957.

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration accused him of collaborating with Nazi authorities, being a member of the SS Trawniki training camp in occupied Poland and being a guard in an SS unit at concentration camps in the German Reich.

Skomatchuk's case was heard along with the case of Josef Furman, 87, of Edmonton. Furman also lost his case. Skomatchuk and Furman were not present for any of the trial dates because of poor health.
Snider concluded that Furman is the same man as SS guardsman Josef Furmantschuk, and was integrated into the SS Death's Head guard units and deployed to help clear the Jewish ghettos in Warsaw and Bialystok.

Both men's cases will now be referred back to Immigration Minister Monte Solberg.
The process could involve revocation of citizenship. The minister can make a recommendation about an individual that would be decided in cabinet.

Queens, NY - Affordable Housing Rezoning Passes

Queens, NY - The City Council passed two zoning proposals that it hopes will set a precedent to bring more affordable housing to Queens.

Under one proposal, a stretch of blocks along Queens Boulevard, from 50th Street to 73rd Street, will enter a program that offers developers incentives to include more affordable units in their new buildings. Called inclusionary zoning, the program allows developers to expand their projects if they set aside 20 percent of the additional space for low-income households.

The zoning change will create an estimated 301 more units than would be allowed regularly, 60 of which must be affordable to households making 80 percent of neighborhood’s average income. In this case, that formula translates to apartments priced to accommodate a four-person family earning around $56,000 a year, officials said.

While the added units will put a small dent in the larger need for affordable housing, elected officials believed the measures will set a precedent for future developments in the borough. “We wanted to create a model that could be replicated,” said Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Sunnyside), who introduced the inclusionary zoning amendment. “If we make this here, we can make this anywhere.
Public officials called the rezoning an important move to keep middle class families in Queens. As property values increase, residents are being priced out of neighborhoods that have traditionally been considered working class, such as Woodside and Maspeth.

New York, NY - City To Spray Mosquito Pesticide

New York, NY - New York City's Health Department will be spraying tonight pesticide on Staten Island and Brooklyn to cut down on mosquitoes and reduce the risk from the West Nile virus.
The health department will spray pesticide from trucks on tonight between 7:45 p.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Staten Island neighborhoods to be sprayed are: Eltingville, Blue Hebron Park, Richmond Valley, Butler Manor, Mount Loretto, Pleasant Plains and Prince's Bay.
In Brooklyn, Greenwood Heights, Greenwood Cemetery, Windsor Terrace and Sunset Park will be sprayed.

If you have asthma or other respiratory problems you should stay inside during the spraying.
Also, food sold or prepared outdoors in the spraying area should be covered with plastic.
Vents on air conditioners should be closed, or choose the "exhaust" function on the A.C.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY - Woman Beat Three NYPD Officers

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY - A woman beat three cops and bit one of them during a struggle.

The violence began when Mrs. Dobinson, 39, began honking the horn in her vehicle as police investigated an unrelated report of a child left alone in a parked car nearby, on Rochester Avenue and Dean Street.
As Dobbinson drove away, she continued to honk the horn and police followed her for three blocks before pulling her over.
When the three officers asked her for ID, Dobinson could not produce her license and registration.
After she became belligerent, one of the cops tried to arrest her, but Dobinson started hitting all three officers, and she then sank her teeth into one officer's finger and bit him.

The cops finally restrained Dobinson, who was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest.
None of the officers suffered serious injuries.

Mumbai, India - "Hitler" Eatery Angers Indian Jews

Mumbai, India - A new restaurant in India's financial hub, named after Adolf Hitler and promoted with posters showing the German leader and Nazi swastikas, has infuriated the country's small Jewish community.

'Hitler's Cross', which opened last week, serves up a wide range of continental fare and a big helping of controversy, thanks to a name the owners say they chose to stand out among hundreds of Mumbai eateries.
"We wanted to be different. This is one name that will stay in people's minds," the owner said. "We are not promoting Hitler. But we want to tell people we are different in the way he was different."

But India's remaining Jews say they are outraged by the gimmick. "This signifies a severe lack of awareness of the agony of millions of Jews caused by one man," said Jonathan Solomon, chairman of the Indian Jewish Federation, the community's umbrella organisation.
"We are going to stop this deification of Hitler," he said without elaborating.

The small restaurant, its interior done out in the Nazi colours of red, white and black, also posters line the road leading up to a red swastika carved in the name of the eatery. A huge portrait of a stern-looking Fuehrer greets visitors at the door. The cross in the restaurant's name refers to the swastika that symbolised the Nazi regime.
"This place is not about wars or crimes, but where people come to relax and enjoy a meal," said restaurant manager Fatima Kabani, adding that they were planning to turn the eatery's name into a brand with more branches in Mumbai.

Dairyland, NY +MVA with Overturned Vehicle+

Ulster County, Dairyland, NY +MVA with Overturned Vehicle+ A serious motor vehicle accident in Dairyland, NY near Woodbourne, NY off Route 52 on Dairyland Road with two vehicle a truck and mini-van that overturned and aided trapped in serious condition, Hatzolah BLS units responding with an ambulance requesting Medics to head in.
M/A Woodbourne to shut down Route 52.

U/D: 09:14
Medevac Life Guard-18 has been requested.

U/D: 11:19
Aided 46-year-old man from Borough Park, was removed by Hatzolah on ground to Ellenville Hospital where he has expired, active A.I. Recon Team operating on the scene.

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY - Jews in a Jam

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY - Orthodox Jews with large families are so intent on living in Borough Park, Brooklyn, it's the neighborhood with the most crowded households in the city, a new report states.

The 2005 "State of New York City's Housing and Neighborhoods" report, found that 13.1 percent of Borough Park's homes fell into the "severely crowded" category, defined as more than 1.5 persons for each room. Borough Park was ranked the most congested neighborhood out of 55 around the city.

By comparison, Bedford-Stuyvesant a few miles away came in 51st, with just 0.8 percent of the units severely crowded.
"That's not a surprise, not at all," said City Councilman Simcha Felder, whose district includes Borough Park. "Even in a neighborhood like Williamsburg [which is also heavily populated by Orthodox Jews, there are commercial zones being turned into housing."There's really not much place to go in Borough Park."
Felder said many Orthodox families have six or seven members. "Some are more - not many are much less," he said.

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY - Satmar Chasidim Honor Their Leader's Yertzheit Peaceful

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY - Yesterday was the twenty-seventh yertzheit, Yiddish for the anniversary of death, of the Grand Rebbe Joel Teitelbaum, the founder of the Satmar Chasidic movement, who died at 93 and was buried here in Kiryas Joel cemetery.

Thousands of Chasidic men streamed into this village They started coming Saturday evening and they will still be coming today from Monsey and Montreal, from Brooklyn and from just down the street, up the paved path to the cemetery, and into a modest mausoleum to pray where Rabbi Teitelbaum, his wife, and his successor, Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum, are buried.
The path to the cemetery was lined with a temporary railing. Behind the railing young men took donations for dozens of charities. They stood with bags or a neat stack of cash in hand, hoping to help with more than just prayers.

Rabbi Zalmen and Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum - feuding sons of Grand Rabbi Moses, made separate trips to the cemetery hours apart from each other.
The day was peaceful in spite of the recent court wrangling over which of the brawling Satmar factions own the cemetery. An appeals court has ruled that it belongs to the Brooklyn congregation, which Rabbi Zalmen's side rules, but Rabbi Aron's faction has since filed a deed transfer to renew its claim to the property.

Borough Park, Brooklyn +Missing Boy+

Borough Park, Brooklyn +Missing Boy+ NYPD of the 70th Pct and Boro Park Shomrim Patrol are involved in a search for a missing chassidisher boy, from the Boro Park section of Brooklyn, NY.

It is very urgent that he is returned to his family right away so they can continue with his special needs.

Some in the family have been tipped off that there might be a person involved that does know where he is. Police and Shomrim are investigating that, and if so they might charcge him with kidnapping.

Any one with information should contact Boro Park Shomrim ASAP. Or Rabbi Gluck - State-One - who is very involved as well.

U/D: 08/20/06 22:23
Thanks to all of you.
Due to your help, the boy has been found unharmed.

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY +2nd Alarm Fire+

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY +2nd Alarm Fire+ KJ Fire Department on the scene at 43 Forest Road and Carter Lane with a private wood frame dwelling 2 story 30x40 fully involved structure fire calling a 2nd alarm on arrival, M/A from several surrounding towns going in, command has requested a FAST Team from Woodbury and fire investigator also to respond.

U/D: 23:04
Command requesting NY State Police fortwith for crowd control, over 100 subjects interfering with operations M/A Monroe.

U/D: 23:11
Two lines from and ladder truck from Monroe and Woodbury with fast team.
Fire through the roof of the dwelling.

U/D: 08/21/06 00:11
Fire is under control, units on scene for extensive overhaul.

Manhattan, NY +Triborough Bridge Traffic Alert+

Manhattan, NY +Triborough Bridge Traffic Alert+ Due to construction will the Manhattan leg of the Triborough Bridge be raised at 2100 hours for about 20 min for testing, expect delays.

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY +Heat Exhaustion+

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY +Heat Exhaustion+ Kiryas Joel Hatzolah EMS on scene at the Kiryas Yoel Cemetery at 25 Schunemunk Road for multiple aided with heat exhaustion illness, command on the scene requesting Mutual Aid from Monroe to respond to the cemetery.

U/D: 19:48
Situation under control, Regional on scene being released.

Israel - Hezbollah Used Russian Weapons

Israel - Israel complained to Russia that Russian-made anti-tank missiles reached Hezbollah fighters, who used them with devastating effect against Israeli troops. An Israeli delegation traveled to Moscow to deliver the complaint.

The anti-tank missiles proved to be one of Hezbollah’s most effective weapons in the monthlong war in Lebanon, responsible for the deaths of at least 50 of the 118 Israeli soldiers killed in the fighting.
Israel protested in recent years when Russia sold advanced weapons to Syria, warning that they would be forwarded them to Hezbollah, but Russia dismissed the concerns. A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said it was "impossible" that Russian weapons could have reached Hezbollah.

Monroe, NY +MVA+

Monroe, NY +MVA+ A motor vehicle accident on County Road 105 and Nininger Road, Kiryas Joel Hatzolah on the scene requesting two ALS and BLS units to respond with an ambulance to the scene.

Queens, NY - Weiner, Lancman Seek Protection for Boro Jewish Groups

Queens, NY - U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) and Democratic District Leader Rory Lancman announced that they will join forces to protect non-profit institutions in the borough, including synagogues, yeshivas and Jewish community centers against terrorism.

Weiner has been pushing the Department of Homeland Security to release $25 million in already apportioned funds to protect non-profit organizations. Lancman, who is also a candidate for state Assembly, will call on New York state to set up a similar program, offering grants to local organizations identified as potential targets of terrorism.

Iran - Parliament Claim Domestic Jewish Support for Lebanese, PA Arabs

Iran - The parliament Speaker claimed that the country’s Jewish community supports Palestinian Authority Arabs who have been hurt by IDF soldiers. “The readiness of our Jewish friends in Iran shows that it is important for them to support the oppressed Palestinians,” said Gholam ali Haddad Adel.

The remarks came in the wake of an alleged statement by a Jewish hospital in the Iranian capital, Tehran, offering to accept Lebanese and PA civilians injured by IDF fire during the war.
The veracity of the claim has not been substantiated.

New York, NY - New Penalties Coming for Discourteous Drivers

New York, NY - Drivers will soon face greater penalties if they don't yield the right-of-way to bicyclists, motorcyclists or pedestrians.

Governor Pataki has signed into law a measure that could result in the license suspension or revocation of a driver involved in a crash resulting in serious injury or death, and drivers also could be required to participate in an accident prevention course.

A major organization of state motorcyclists lobbied for the crackdown on car and truck drivers who cause crashes that injure or kill bikers.

The state Assembly and Senate approved the bill and the law is to take effect November first.

Staten Island, NY +Grenade Found+

Staten Island, NY +Grenade Found+ NYPD are calling for a level one mobilization due to a live hand grenade that has been found in one of the backyards of a residence on Castleton Avenue and Poertland Place in Staten Island, NY. Level one near the scene.

FD, ESU, EMS and Bomb Squad all responding.

U/D: 14:02
Bomb Squad has properly identified the grenade and the level one has been terminated.

Monsey, NY - Residents Concerned About Intersection

Monsey, NY - The whoosh of passing cars, flash of brake lights and occasional screech of tires add up to some residents as a need for a bit of traffic control.
Several of them went to a Ramapo Town Board meeting seeking relief, which for them would be some assurance of safe passage across Saddle River Road.

The area of concern is at Fred Eller Drive, just south of where Saddle River Road intersects with Route 59.
Residents thought the proximity of a girls' school, the kindergarten- through 12th-grade Beth Rochel, added to the need to regulate traffic, they said that children are waiting inordinate amounts of time to cross Route 306, which they saw as an invitation for some to take chances that could have tragic results.
The placement of a traffic light seemed to be the solution, they said. "I'm here by the corner," said Leah Skolnik, "I'm outside with the kids, and I've seen a lot of accidents."
One of those, she said, recently involved a child whose bicycle was grazed by an oncoming car. Luckily, the child was uninjured.
An installation of the light that is sought would make three lights within about a quarter mile. "People don't like lights," Skolnik said. "They say we live in the country, but there are a lot of people here. The population is growing."

Walking on that section of Saddle River Road was also seen as hazardous because of the lack of sidewalks.
A sidewalk on the west side of Saddle River Road, from the corner of Fred Eller Drive to Park Avenue, a distance of about 1,800 feet, could assist residents of several neighborhoods, Skolnik said. "Every year there's more traffic," she said of a locale where Wal-Mart has proposed building a supercenter off Route 59.

It was suggested by some residents, though, that even a simpler step, such as designating a crosswalk with warning signs and flashing lights, could improve the situation.

Manhattan, NY +Williamsburg Bridge Traffic Alert+

Manhattan, NY +Williamsburg Bridge Traffic Alert+ A motor vehicle accident on the eastbounf Brooklyn bound of the Williamsburg Bridge has the left lane closed down causing traffic delays into Brooklyn.

Ramallah, West Bank +Israel Arrests Another Senior Hamas Lawmaker+

Ramallah, West Bank - Israeli troops detained another senior Hamas legislator, pushing forward with a crackdown on the Islamic militant group, Palestinian officials and relatives of the man said.

Troops surrounded the home of Mahmoud al-Ramahi, secretary-general of the parliament, in broad daylight and detained him, said his sister, Yaqeen.
Al-Ramahi had evaded arrest since, Israel began its crackdown on Hamas officials following the June 25 abduction of an Israeli soldier by Hamas-linked militants in the Gaza Strip. Israel is now holding five Cabinet ministers and more than two dozen lawmakers.

The Israeli army had no immediate comment.

Washington, DC - Teen Named 'Youth Inventor of the Year'

Washington, DC - 18 year-old Cassidy Goldstein from Scarsdale, NY was named “Youth Inventor of the Year” in recognition of her Crayon Holder invention. Ms. Goldstein was presented her award on Capital Hill by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and IPO Foundation President Harry Gwinnell.

Cassidy was just 11 years old when she invented the Crayon Holder, a patented plastic drawing device which makes it possible to color with broken crayons. The Crayon Holder is licensed to Rand International and is available nationwide in retail stores and catalogues and also for back-to-school shoppers at Wal-Mart. The product has also been embraced for children with fine motor challenges as it makes it easier to hold and draw with crayons.
“I am deeply honored to be the first youth to receive the IPO’s ‘Inventor of the Year’ award,” said Cassidy Goldstein, now 18 years old. “Kids have boundless creativity, but have been under recognized. For example, did you know that the Calculator was invented by an 18 year old? Awards like this draw needed attention to the creative potential of young people.”

The process of patenting and licensing is very difficult. Many adult inventors - let alone kid inventors - lack the resources and knowledge to navigate the process. Through sharing in his daughter’s experiences, Norman Goldstein was inspired to found an organization dedicated to making the invention and commercialization process easy and accessible for all kids.

Lebanon - Hizbullah Hands Out Cash to War Victims

Lebanon - Hizbullah handed out bundles of cash to people whose homes were wrecked by Israeli bombing, consolidating the Iranian-backed group's support among Lebanon's Shiites and embarrassing the Beirut government.
"This is a very, very reasonable amount. It is not small," said Ayman Jaber, 27, holding a wad he had just picked up from Hizbullah of 12,000 USD in banknotes wrapped in tissue.

Israeli and US officials have voiced concern that Hizbullah will entrench its popularity by moving fast—with Iranian money—to help people whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the 34-day conflict with Israel.

Hizbullah has not said where the funds are coming from to compensate people for an estimated 15,000 destroyed homes. The scheme appears likely to cost at least 150 million USD. The Lebanese government has yet to launch anything similar.
Its reconstruction chief said Israeli bombardment had inflicted a "disastrous" 3.6 billion USD worth of physical damage on Lebanon from which it could take years to recover.

Al-Fadl Shalaq, head of the Council for Development and Reconstruction, said "I have witnessed all the wars in Lebanon but I have never seen a war this fierce and I do not see a response to clearing the rubble of war to match it," he said.

Portsmouth, NH - Threat Against Rabbi Now a Federal Case

Portsmouth, NH - A Brentwood man that sent a threatening letter to a Portsmouth rabbi, as was reported on VOS IS NEIAS, is now facing a federal case.
Portsmouth police allege Elijah Wallace, 23, sent a strongly worded letter to a local synagogue while he was in the Rockingham County Jail last month. Court papers say the letter included graphic threats against the rabbi and his wife.

Portsmouth police charged Wallace with criminal threatening, but say he now faces federal charges.
Wallace pleaded guilty in 2003 to threatening the president and was sentenced to nearly three years in a federal medical prison.

South America +Powerful quake hits S. Atlantic+

South America +Powerful quake hits S. Atlantic+ A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of at least 6.9 hit in the Scotia Sea between South America and Antarctica.
Japan's Meteorological Agency put the preliminary magnitude at 7.2.

The USGS estimated the earthquake's depth at 10 kilometers (six miles). The quake was centered in the Scotia Sea, approximately 495 kilometers (305 miles) west-southwest of Bristol Island in the South Sandwich island group, the USGS said.

No teunami warning has been issued.

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +Baby Out of Car+

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +Baby Out of Car+ In Boro Park, Brooklyn Hatzolah is being requested for a baby the fell out a vehicle at 14th Avenue and 54th Street.

Teaneck, NJ - Township Drops Blue Laws Effort

Teaneck, NJ - Legal concerns have sunk the Township Council's plan to ask voters whether the town should be exempted from the Sunday blue laws.

Township Attorney Stanley Turitz said ballot questions can reference only issues that the township can take action upon. The town does not have the authority to repeal the blue laws. It can only lobby the state Legislature to do so. "By placing this question on the ballot, it would not sustain a legal challenge," Turitz told the council, moments before it decided to abandon a vote on whether to pose a November ballot question on the issue.

The laws, which date to Colonial times, prohibit certain items, including clothes, furniture and appliances, from being sold on Sundays.
Those who support the restrictions say they provide a day of peace that would otherwise be shattered by motorists heading to shopping malls and downtowns.
Opponents say the laws are antiquated and rob merchants and towns of revenue.

Bergen is the only one of New Jersey's 21 counties that has not abolished the blue laws.
The blue laws, combined with the fact that the town has a large Orthodox Jewish population that does not shop on Saturdays, has hindered Teaneck from attracting national chains that would help its business districts, township officials and some residents have said.

Los Angeles, CA - Mel Gibson Turnes Down Rabbi's Offer

Los Angeles, CA - Mel Gibson has turned down the offer to publicly apologise to Los Angeles Jews on Yom Kippur for anti-Semitic comments he made last month.

Rabbi David Baron invited the disgraced star to address his congregation on the day of atonement - as a way to prove he isn't anti-Semitic following drunken comments he had made to a traffic cop during a drink-driving arrest last month.
But Baron has since been contacted by Gibson's publicist, who thanked him for his offer - and then declined it. The rabbi said "I was told Mr Gibson is deeply involved in personal work which includes rehab, therapy and counselling for alcoholism." Baron is still not willing to give up on him and has now extended his offer to a later date. He has also volunteered to join with a group of Jewish leaders dedicated to educate Gibson about the dangers of anti-Semitism.

Ramallah, West Bank - Israeli Soldiers Arrested Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister

Ramallah, West Bank - Israeli soldiers burst into the home of Nasser Shaer the Palestinian deputy prime minister just before dawn and took him away for questioning. Shaer, is the highest-ranking Hamas official detained in Israel's seven-week-old crackdown against the ruling Islamic militant group.

Palestinian officials condemned the arrest and accused the Jewish state of undermining their efforts to form a broad government coalition.

Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada - Fire Set Outside Home Being Investigated

Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada - Police are investigating a fire set outside the home of a member of the town’s Chasidic community.

Chaim Mermelstein, owner of a duplex on Beth Halevy St. in the town just across the Mille Iles River from Laval, notifued the Boisbriand Police Department after he discovered the charred remains of a paint canister filled with flammable material outside his building’s basement.
"It’s too early to say that it’s linked to a dispute, or whether it’s a bad joke, etc.," said Eric Fournier, a detective with the Therese de Blainville intermunicipal police.