HIKIND CALLS FOR BROOKLYN COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S RESIGNATION

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

January 30, 2013

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release
718-853-9616
973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND CALLS FOR BROOKLYN COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S RESIGNATION

“KAREN GOULD IS A NICE PERSON. BUT SHE IS A DISASTER
FOR BROOKLYN COLLEGE STUDENTS.”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is asking Karen Gould to resign as the President of Brooklyn College. The Assemblyman believes that Gould’s inability to take a stance against the college being used by a group with a racist agenda is a flagrant misuse of the tax dollars that help fund the college and also creates a chilling effect on Brooklyn College students.

“I had a lengthy conversation with President Gould yesterday,” said Assemblyman Hikind, a Brooklyn College graduate. “I made it clear that student groups have every right to sponsor whichever speakers they like, but that by allowing the school’s Political Science Department to sponsor and endorse a racist group like the BDS Movement, Brooklyn College is giving its endorsement—its own seal of approval—to this group as well.

“Karen Gould understands what is at stake here. We spoke for a long time. And I must point out that she is a very nice person. However being the head of a college requires more than being nice. It requires having a backbone, showing leadership. It demands having the guts to do the right thing.

“Allowing her Poli-Sci Department Chair to bully her into letting them co-sponsor and support a racist, anti-Semitic lecture series is not the right thing. Or perhaps President Gould wasn’t bullied; maybe she secretly approves. Or perhaps she’s apathetic. I can only speculate to what her motivation or lack of motivation is in allowing this irresponsible endorsement of this loathsome event by her College.

“Either way, President Gould should not be steering this ship. It is heading for a barge. She should give someone else the helm, someone who understands how to manage a situation like this and protect Brooklyn College’s entire student body. The chilling effect upon Brooklyn College students will have long-term ramifications. Tacit approval is approval. Karen Gould should resign.”

Tomorrow, at 11 A.M., Assemblyman Hikind will be joined by numerous elected officials and community groups who will condemn Brooklyn College’s official endorsement and sponsorship of the event “BDS Movement Against Israel” which calls for a unilateral boycott against Israel and Israeli businesses.

HIKIND, CYMBROWITZ DENOUNCE BROOKLYN COLLEGE FOR CO-SPONSORING RACIST LECTURES

MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: PRESS CONFERENCE DENOUNCING BROOKLYN COLLEGE
FOR CO-SPONSORING RACIST LECTURES

WHO: Assemblyman Dov Hikind and Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz, along with Members of the NY State Senate, the NY State Assembly, and the New York City Council.

WHEN: Thursday, January 31, 11 A.M.

WHERE: Brooklyn College, Main Gate on Bedford Ave. (between Campus Road & Avenue I)

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

January 30, 2013

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release718-853-9616973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND, CYMBROWITZ DENOUNCE BROOKLYN COLLEGE
FOR CO-SPONSORING RACIST LECTURES

“PUBLIC MONEY FOR A HATE-FEST IS UNACCEPTABLE!”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) will lead numerous elected officials tomorrow in denouncing Brooklyn College’s official co-sponsoring of a racist lecture. The event “BDS Movement Against Israel,” which is scheduled to take place on the Brooklyn College campus on February 7, is being co-sponsored not only by student groups but also by Brooklyn College’s Political Science Department.

“This lecture, which is funded by tax dollars, gives a platform to the BDS movement, whose goal is to delegitimize Israel’s existence,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Like its philosophical brothers in Hamas, BDS aims to eliminate the State of Israel from the map. The only difference between BDS and their terrorist cousins are their tactics: While Hamas blows up buses filled with innocent men, women and children, BDS works to isolate Israelis—to starve them by cutting them off from all business.”

In a recent letter to Brooklyn College President Karen Gould, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz wrote, “No department or club in Brooklyn College, which boasts a richly diverse student body, has any business sponsoring events on the college campus that serve no useful purpose but to promulgate anti-Semitism. It is our task as responsible leaders to always stand on the right side of history, and Brooklyn College should not participate in or allow any event to take place on the college’s campus whose primary impetus is to shatter the already shaky bridges of peace and unity that so many of us have labored to build.”

The event “BDS Movement Against Israel” invites students to hear seasoned propagandist Omar Barghouti, founder of the BDS. Barghouti has compared Israelis to Nazis and added that he won’t take a lecture from a “white person”; that, as far as he’s concerned, “the white race is the most violent in [the] history of mankind.” Barghouti will be joined by Judith Butler, an apologist for Hamas and Hezbollah.

Assemblyman Hikind’s office reached out numerous times to Paisley Currah, chairman of the Brooklyn College Political Science Department, but Currah would not accept the calls. Hikind did speak at length with Brooklyn College President Karen Gould.

“I am extremely saddened and disappointed by President Gould’s lack of courage to do the right thing,” said Hikind. “She just doesn’t have the guts or the backbone. Allowing Brooklyn College to officially co-sponsor this hatefest will have a chilling effect on Brooklyn College and CUNY’s Jewish students.” 

Shocking: Brooklyn College Sponsors Anti-Semitic Lectures

If it was just a group of students sponsoring yet another anti-Israel event, I’d have nothing to say. Everyone is entitled to their opinion—preferably an informed one. But that’s not what’s happening at Brooklyn College.

On February 7, the Political Science Department of Brooklyn College is co-sponsoring a hate-filled, Israel-bashing event. And they aren’t just sneaking this by the administration—a statement from Brooklyn College President Karen Gould admits, “The event is co-sponsored by several campus and community organizations, including the Political Science Department.”

This lecture—which is essentially funded by tax dollars—gives a platform to the BDS movement, whose goal is to de-legitimize Israel’s existence. Like its philosophical brothers in Hamas, BDS aims to eliminate the State of Israel from the map. Only its tactics differ from its terrorist cousins: While Hamas blows up buses of innocent men, women and children, BDS works to isolate Israelis, to cut them off from business. Yes, BDS is the benevolent face of anti-Semitism. They don’t suggest killing Israeli citizens with bombs; they prefer starvation via isolation.

On February 7, Brooklyn College invites its students to hear seasoned propagandist Omar Barghouti, founder of the BDS—a man who has not only compared Israelis to Nazis, but also adds that he won’t take a lecture from a “white person”; that, as far as he’s concerned, “the white race is the most violent in [the] history of mankind.”

In addition to Barghouti, Judith Butler has been invited to sway students to her way of thinking. And her way of thinking is that terror organizations Hamas and Hezbollah are “progressive social movements.”

Jewish hatred has taken more shapes and colors than I care to list. It is a very, very old vice. It certainly existed long before the State of Israel was even a twinkle in Theodore Herzel’s eye. The boycott campaign against Israel today and the philosophical war demonizing Jews and denying the rights of Jews to self-determination and equality, is the modern incarnation of anti-Semitism. Same stink, different excuse.

As for Paisley Currah who chairs the Brooklyn College Poli-Sci Dept., he has now refused to speak with my office three times. We weren’t told he was unavailable—he just won’t come to the phone.

But I did have a lengthy conversation today with Brooklyn College President Karen Gould. The blame for this travesty falls squarely on her shoulders. I am extremely saddened and disappointed by her lack of courage to do the right thing. She just doesn’t have the guts to stop it. Allowing Brooklyn College to officially co-sponsor this hatefest will have a chilling effect on Brooklyn College and CUNY’s Jewish students.  

TORAH RECOVERED!

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

January 21, 2013

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

973-945-4903 (cell)

TORAH RECOVERED.

HIKIND PRAISES POLICE, SHOMRIM AND COMMUNITY

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) was thrilled to learn that the Torah scroll, which was reported missing last night, has now been recovered. The Assemblyman had high praise for Mike Dedo, the Commander of the 66th Precinct, as well as the Borough Park community and its Shomrim.

"The safety and sanctity of a Torah scroll means a great deal to our community," said the Assemblyman. "The speedy recovery of this sacred scroll is a testimony to our ability to work together and the dedication of our extraordinary Police Commander Mike Dedo. Every last one of us will sleep easier tonight."

HIKIND OFFERS REWARD FOR INFO ON STOLEN TORAH SCROLL

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

January 21, 2013

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND OFFERS REWARD FOR INFO ON STOLEN TORAH SCROLL

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is offering a $3,000.00 reward for any information leading to the return of a Torah scroll, which police in Brooklyn's 66th Precinct say was inside a car reported stolen Saturday night. The car was a gray 2007 Toyota Corolla parked near a synagogue on 18th Avenue in Borough Park.

"The Torah scroll is holy and its safe return is important," said Assemblyman Hikind. "Anyone with any information should contact the 66th Precinct."

Returning to Albany

As session begins in Albany, we are hoping to continue achieving great things on behalf of our constituents, and especially for parents with children in yeshivos in our district.

Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver and Dov (with Masechet Sanhedrin)

Chuck Hagel. Forgiven.

I can’t say that I was surprised. Disappointed, but not surprised.

I had remarked to one of my aides that certain elected officials standing against Chuck Hagel’s nomination would be the harbinger of the Messiah coming. A time of miracles. The miracle of authenticity. But, alas, we still trudge through the dark and call it light.

Former Senator Chuck Hagel is not an unknown entity. He is not someone who has to clarify anything. His record of anti-Semitic statements was not hastily put together by a group of paranoid Jews but gathered publicly and discussed prominently over time as Hagel himself racked up occurrences that were anything but dubious: Refusing to meet with Jewish groups in his home state of Nebraska while serving as its Senator. Referring to elected officials fearing a “Jewish” lobby. Implying that any Senator who supported Israel was more of an Israeli patriot than a U.S. one. Stating that if Haifa wanted a USO, “let the Jews pay for it.”

The former Senator’s positions on Iran and terrorist groups weren’t secrets either. It was well known on Capitol Hill that Senator Hagel not only shunned discussion of a military strike by either the U.S. or Israel to prevent Iran from achieving its goal of nuclear armament, but that the former Senator even encouraged efforts to bring Iran to the table for peace talks regarding Afghanistan. That he opposed numerous Iran-sanction bills. So much for not negotiating with terrorists.

Yes, we know who Chuck Hagel is.

So the question is really who are we?

Are we elected officials forever reduced to the role of politicians, or are we genuinely public servants? Are we zealously Democrats before we are anything else, or are we American leaders tasked with protecting the interests of those who put us in office? Are we honest people who are willing to call an anti-Semite by his true name, or are we good soldiers following a script, hoping that we will be spared if and when the other shoe drops?

Picture what would have happened if President George W. Bush had nominated his fellow Republican Chuck Hagel to the office of Secretary of Defense. It doesn’t leave much to the imagination: There would have been fist fights aplenty as Democrats pushed each other out of the way in an effort to be first to condemn the former Senator from Nebraska.

But today these same Democrats follow the script. Today they line up like good soldiers and give Mr. Hagel a pass. Today they believe in a newly minted Chuck Hagel—a man whose hurtful and (given his new position) frightening statements about Israel were misunderstood. Today, Democrats support a man who they, apparently, misunderstood yesterday, but understand much better today.

Surprised, no. Disappointed, but not surprised.

Why not surprised? Because Chuck Hagel wants this job. So Chuck Hagel—who never recanted any of the anti-Jewish remarks he made in the past—has today had an epiphany. Today he is sorry. He is sorry that he was misunderstood.

And the Democrats who represent the millions concerned with the fate of Israel and the Jewish people, and the tens of millions who understand that Iran and Hezbollah and Hamas are, at the end of the day, essentially the same enity—those Democrats are willing to pardon Chuck Hagel for any misunderstandings and racist faux pas and give the former Senator of Nebraska a pass, allowing him to step into the very important role of U.S. Secretary of Defense. Because today Chuck Hagel is sorry.

And how sorry will those we trusted to protect us today be tomorrow?

HIKIND SEEKS TO LIMIT BANKS IN BORO PARK

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

January 15, 2013

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND SEEKS TO LIMIT BANKS IN BORO PARK

GREENFIELD, LANDER SUPPORT INITIATIVE

“17 BANKS IN 10-BLOCK RADIUS IS NUTS!”

MERCHANTS, CONSUMERS HURT BY RISING RENTS AND PRICES

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is hoping to put a halt on banks opening new branches on Boro Park’s 13th Avenue. Over the last few years, an increasing number of banking chains have secured real estate or long leases on an avenue that otherwise caters to a neighborhood community of local shoppers. The result has been a steady increase on rents that has already driven out a number of local merchants, left store fronts vacant, and threatens to change the character of the neighborhood.

“It’s hurting our community,” said the Assemblyman. “Small store owners—people whose family businesses have served residents for generations—can no longer afford the rent. There’s already 17 banks in a ten-block span and an 18th one plans to open. That’s plenty.

“Increased rent doesn’t just drive local merchants out of business--it impacts the ones who can weather the increase but at a huge cost to the residents here. When rents go up, so do prices. Our community members are paying a heavy toll for these banks.

“I’ve already reached out to NYC Council Members David Greenfield and Brad Lander who enthusiastically support this effort, as does Yidel Perlstein, Chairman of Brooklyn Community Board 12.”

The Assemblyman says that it’s clear that rents have increased on 13^th Avenue and consumer prices with them. Kosher Delight and Donut Man are among the many small, local businesses that were part of the neighborhood for many years but have recently disappeared from the landscape due to an inability to meet rising rent demands. Simultaneously, additional banks have targeted 13th Avenue as a desired home for a new branch.

Last June, the NYC Council approved a zoning change aimed at limiting the frontage of commercial establishments along major commercial avenues on NYC’s Upper West Side. The new rules, which were approved by a Council vote of 49 to 2, were a response to approximately 30 banks spanning 89 blocks. The density of banks per block along 13th Avenue in Boro Park is much greater.

“In the interests of this community and its residents, I intend to work with elected officials and City Planning to implement these changes,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “During these difficult economic times, it’s important to keep prices reasonable.”

Photos of Boro Park’s many banks—as well as closed shops—can be seen on this blog.

The Banks of 13th Avenue

Child Abuse in the Jewish Community: Have We Made Progress? Part III

Ezra Friedlander

This Saturday night, we continue for a third week in a row looking at child abuse in our community as last week’s guests return with more informative, thought-provoking conversation. In addition, we plan to open the phone lines to our listeners for comments and questions allowing the community to voice their thoughts on this crucial and often controversial topic.

Our guests are:

Ezra Friedlander, CEO of the Friedlander Group, who recently penned an Op Ed for the Forward regarding the need for our community to confront child abuse.

Chaya Mermerstein, a clinical social worker in the Psychology Department at Beth Israel Hospital and one of the heads of the SOVRI hotline for abuse victims.

Cheryl Friedman, a social worker and SOVRI coordinator.

Pinny Taub, an outspoken community member on the subject of child abuse.

The Dov Hikind Show, WMCA-570 AM, every Saturday night at 11 pm. 

CAR MAKERS PULL BUSINESS FROM IRAN AFTER PRESSURE FROM De BLASIO, HIKIND

CAR MAKERS PULL BUSINESS FROM IRAN AFTER PRESSURE FROM De BLASIO, HIKIND

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Assemblyman Dov Hikind joined Iran180 and United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) today in announcing that Maserati and Lamborghini have agreed to pull back their plans for business expansion into Iran. The decisions came following their joint press conference of October 22, 2012 held outside a Maserati showroom in downtown Manhattan calling on the companies to not do business with Iran.

De Blasio, together with Iran180 and UANI, launched IranWatchList.com in the summer of 2012 as a public campaign to pressure companies doing business in Iran to pull out. Following the announcement that Maserati and Lamborghini have complied, they will be removed from IranWatchList.com. Maserati agreed to engage in legal action against the Arta Group, a company that was using the Maserati brand name for a luxury car showroom it had to open in Tehran. The company has also agreed to no longer build their vehicles to match Iran’s specific import standards, which will make it more difficult for Iranians to import Maserati vehicles from distributors.

“This is one more step in the right direction in a crucial campaign to hit the Iranian regime at its economic core”, said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “Maserati and Lamborghini have done the right thing in pulling their business from Iran – and I am pleased we can remove them from IranWatchList.com. This is also a strong message to New Yorkers and Americans: We as consumers can help fight against a nuclear Iran, and I plan to continue this fight relentlessly, with as many allies as we can assemble.”

"I applaud Maserati and Lamborghini for doing the right thing. There can be no compromising with those who support and espouse terrorism. I thank the Public Advocate for leading the charge and being on the front lines for the well-being of New Yorkers and our great country,” said Assemblyman Dov Hikind.