Goldy Spitzer

6/21/2015

To: the Village of Kiryas Joel and the Monroe Town board And Tim Miller associates

I read about the Public Hearing for the 507 Acre annexation on June 10th and I heard about a continues argument from the opponents to the annexation that Hassidic Orthodox Jews are welcome to join all New York citizens and live anywhere in Orange County, so therefore there is no need to have more land annexed to Kiryas Joel to get new housing that serves the needs of the Hassidic community because they will be fairly served and treated with housing and accommodations according to their religious needs in every area in Orange County. Please read the attached articles of a prominent Jewish newspaper These articles show a clear direct pattern of local boards and communities using local laws to discriminate against Orthodox Jews, and that the Orthodox-Jews are not welcome at all in other municipalities in NYS, the history of these communities are enough reasons to vote for our religious freedom to survive and for you to vote YES to allow the orthodox Jewish people to live with freedom at a minimum in Kiryas Joel. I urge you to please vote yes to approve the annexation, please vote YES on the 507 Acres, because we live in the United States and we are allowed to practice our religion in the USA, and we are being blocked and un-welcomed in so many other NY communities, please let us have a place where we are fully welcome and a place we can call it home. Please include my letter together with its 4 articles as exhibits as part of the annexation record.

Thanks in advance.

Goldy Spitzer

P A R T I

This is an investigative report that will appear in two parts. This part focuses on the story behind the efforts of Kiryas Joel to build a water pipeline and Orange County’s efforts to stop it. The second article, which will be published after Pesach, will examine disputes other than the case of Kiryas Joel, involving zoning laws and ordinances which impede the building of shuls, the setting up of eruvs, and the development of yeshivos, dormitories, and bikur cholim apartments.

By Eli Simon

6 Hamodia Magazine March 24, 2010 very now and then you hear about anti-Semitism in America. A swastika painted on a row of cars. A dirty look, a spit Eon the ground, a vehement curse aimed directly at the Jews. It hurts, but you move on because you attribute it to a loner who seeks attention or a lunatic who has grandiose ideas about becoming a Ku Klux Klan member. We live in a country in which civil rights are sacrosanct, a country filled with freedom and opportunity, a country that does not tolerate institutionalized anti-Semitism. But at times, isolated bigots have a way of seriously affecting the life of an Orthodox Jew. These bigots know they can’t maim or injure you, but they realize that they can gather enough momentum to enact laws and local ordinances that can harass, intimidate, and financially drain you. Fortunately, segregation and designated ghettos are outlawed today; aside from civil rights laws, minorities in America are expected to assimilate and aspire to live the American dream. For the average white American, that dream is to move to a sprawling house in the suburbs with a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art grill, a two-acre yard, and a three-car garage. However, not everyone living in the idyllic setting of suburbia shares that goal. And when aspirations are different, there is a culture clash that is explosive at best and ugly at worst.

The Growth of Kiryas Joel its growth and see it as an encroachment have large families. Much of their housing Travel seventy miles north of New that must be stopped. is apartments or townhouses, multiple- York City to the Village of Kiryas Joel “The dynamic growth rate has pretty family housing akin to that of more urban (“KJ”), built in 1974, by the Satmar Rebbe much spooked the surrounding areas. Even worse, they are politically Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, zt”l. KJ communities,” said David Church, the astute and powerful, and are not afraid to began with fourteen Satmar families and planning commissioner of Orange use this power. And worst of all, they currently houses approximately 22,000 County. What the typical KJ neighbor is want their village to grow to residents, all living within a 1.1-square “spooked” about is that before he knows accommodate more people. And these are mile area. it, chassidim may be living next door to sins?” Abraham Wieder has been KJ’s mayor him in a multi-unit complex, causing his In the same vein, Peter Applebome of since 1990, and Gedalye Szegedin has property value to fall. There are several The New York Times writes, “Watching the been the village administrator and clerk layers of fear in that statement: the fear events unfold here doesn’t leave a clear since 1991. Both Mayor Wieder and that KJ’s growth will destroy the area’s picture of how much of the hysteria has to Gedalye Szegedin are key figures in the rural character; the fear that the do with growth and land use and how village’s development. Kiryas Joel is in neighboring homes will decrease in value; much has to do with who is growing and the Town of Monroe, and both the Town and the fear that the chassidim will be using the land.” of Monroe and the Village of KJ are under their next-door neighbors. One can understand the residents’ the jurisdiction of Orange County. Most “I will grant there are substantial and desire to maintain the character and value of the villages in Orange County are legitimate growth and development of the place. But when communities smaller than KJ in population but larger issues,” said Douglas Cunningham, an engage in an all-out war that even the in area. editor for the Times Herald-Record, in an Times Herald-Record, the county’s main While KJ’s accelerating growth is a opinion piece. “But I think there is anti- regional newspaper, describes as “troops testament to Jewish resilience and Semitism at work too. It is apparently easy amassing” in a “battle,” there must be entrepreneurship, many of the people of to dislike those who live in Kiryas Joel. something other than a fierce attachment South Orange County, who live in the They dress differently. They have little to the rural landscape that is at stake. And villages and towns surrounding KJ, resent interaction with other communities. They that is anti-Orthodox sentiment.

The multi-dwelling complexes of Kiryas Yoel that Orange County residents oppose.

Hamodia Magazine 9 Nisan 5770 7 The Stalling Process supply to death, as well as its neighbors … get emotional. My answer to you [as to the KJ’s neighbors know that there is no No oxygen, no fuel equals no fire.” sewer plant] now and forever is no.” way they can control its growth, and they Ironically, McLaughlin wrote this letter Despite many obstacles, KJ was also know that they can’t control its to the Times Herald-Record to explain why subsequently able to construct its plant zoning laws since a village has the he is not an anti-Semite. However, his and share it with the other towns and ultimate power to decide what type of virulent tirade suggested just the villages in the county, but McLaughlin, in property can be built within its opposite. As a legislator, he was able to 1995, essentially had already conveyed his boundaries. But community leaders such influence Orange County voters to the aversion to a “theocentric” village called as the late Spencer McLaughlin, an extent that residents who weren’t decided Kiryas Joel. Orange County legislator and a former one way or another joined in the county’s deputy executive director of the New mighty efforts to stop KJ’s water supply. The Pipeline, the Hearings, York City Human Rights Commission, McLaughlin had a history of trying to and the Ruckus realized that the growth of KJ could be stifle KJ’s growth. In 1995 he was the In 1999, Orange County experienced a stunted by cutting off its water supply chairman of the County Sewer Committee severe drought when its exclusive source and sewage treatment. and tried to prevent the construction of a of water, groundwater wells, began to dry You would think that an inflammatory desperately needed sewage facility. up. In New York City people have no idea such as depriving a community of Without more sewage treatment, new concept of what it means to have no water to squash its growth would be kept housing couldn’t be approved, and as a water, but communities in upstate New private. On the contrary, in an opinion result, KJ was suffering from a housing York have to contend with this issue often. piece in the Times Herald-Record, Spencer crisis. In response, the village innovatively It is especially difficult before Yom Tov, McLaughlin, declared: “The village has proposed to build its own sewage plant. when KJ, at times, has had to truck in become a Goliath in our midst and to McLaughlin was “adamantly opposed” to water. continue to grow, the community needs the construction of a plant, calling it a Environmental studies have shown raw land and enough water. Just about “theocentric sewer plant.” Once again, that one of the main reasons groundwater built out—even under that village’s non- McLaughlin wrote furiously to Roberta wells dry up is the accumulation of zoned, multi-storied, downtown Brooklyn Murphy, a county legislator: minerals in the wells’ veins. Yet Michael mentality—it’s like a fire that has burned “To tell me and my neighbors that I not Amo, an Orange County legislator, itself out, consuming the combustible fuel only have to stand by and watch our recalled that “the villages were quick to of open space and environmentally communities being eaten up but have to blame KJ.” Of course, it was KJ’s highly necessary oxygen. Kiryas Joel’s oxygen is help pay for the building of a theocentric dense population that was sapping the water, and there’s just no more left for the sewer plant which water out of the village to suck out of the ground. The will help the wells, leaving the village has suckled its underground process occur, I do rest of the county with nothing. (Right) Map of the proposed pipeline route Subsequently, (Below) The proposed pipeline. the Orange County Water Authority found that it was not KJ’s fault. On the contrary, while an individual in KJ uses fifty gallons of water per person per day, a typical resident of Orange County uses eighty gallons a day, a number that reflects the fact that

Photo Credit/Times Herald-Record Photo Credit/Times KJ’s neighbors need more water for their pools and large lawns. Regardless of where the blame lies for

8 Hamodia Magazine March 24, 2010 the water shortage, the Water Authority from what I see as economic terrorism.” Review Act), a law that required KJ to urged the county to find alternate sources Had the neighboring municipalities review the impact the proposed pipeline for water because the wells were bound to been practical, they would have would have on the environment. KJ did lose even more capacity over time. The welcomed the idea of the pipeline, or at complete an Environmental Impact single legislative entity that found a the very least realized that once all the Statement but the county believed that it solution to this problem was KJ. procedural matters were cleared, there was not sufficient because, among other In 2000, KJ proposed building a was really not much they could do to points, it did not address the issue of thirteen-mile linear transmission pipeline prevent its installation. sewage. According to the county, it could between the village and the Additionally, any lawyer— not handle an increase in KJ’s water aqueduct in New Windsor, and there are a quite a few supply because the county did not have to tap into New York who reside in the county adequate sewage facilities to drain the City’s Catskill —would know that the influx of water. Aqueduct. KJ and effort to block growth Spencer McLaughlin wasn’t the only municipalities in by stalling the water leader in this flurry of litigation. Meet Orange County are project was futile. Charlie Bohan, the Town of Blooming statutorily permitted The Equal Protection Grove’s supervisor, a former New York to tap into New York Clause of the United City firefighter, a father, a grandfather, City’s water supply. States Constitution is and a community activist. Bohan is also a Gedalye Szegedin, often evoked when a man who has no misgivings and makes an innovative and government entity treats no effort to hide his views. According to forward-thinking leader in one group differently from the Time Herald-Record, he has called the A banner protesting the KJ and the mastermind pipeline other groups, and in this Orthodox Jewish leadership of KJ and architect of the plan, instance, other towns in “cheats” and “liars,” and he sent a letter thought the pipeline was a panacea, a Orange County, such as Newburgh, New to Orange County legislators calling KJ a resolution that would benefit the entire Windsor, and the Village of Cornwall-on- “radical splinter of Judaism.” county. After all, KJ would stop using Hudson, had already tapped into the (Right) Supervisor groundwater wells as its source for water, aqueduct. The only thing opponents of Charles Bohan and more water would be available in the the pipeline could do was stall the project (Below) A letter from aquifer for KJ’s neighbors. It seemed like in the hope that KJ would give up its plan. Charles Bohan to the an ideal plan. And stall they did. County Legislator Nonetheless, what seemed to be a good idea turned into a difficult legal McLaughlin and Company battle. During public hearings, Not everyone opposed the participants fiercely opposed the pipeline pipeline, but a few hotheaded because that would mean the county was anti-Semitic legislators were endorsing KJ’s growth when Orange able to ignite the crowd, County residents were thinking of ways creating a fiery opposition. to shrink it. At the first hearing, the Orange County legislators were atmosphere in the room was charged. now faced with angry Robert Lawrence of the Hudson Valley constituents who were bent on Realty Group described the hearing “as stopping the pipeline. And like crammed with people, many holding big many politicians influenced by signs with the words ‘Down with the their constituents’ demands, Pipeline.’” the leaders of the legislative Moreover, he recalled, “When I tried to body acquiesced. defend KJ’s pipeline proposal on the Just when KJ thought that podium, a legislator pointed her finger at Orange County would agree me and in front of everyone said, ‘You to the proposal, Orange cannot be trusted because you do County sued KJ in New York business with the rest of them.’ Not only State Court. The county that, but at one of the subsequent argued that KJ did not hearings, I was literally shoved and comply with SEQRA (the knocked down when I defended the Jews State Environmental Quality

Hamodia Magazine 9 Nisan 5770 9 In that same letter, Bohan went so far as with ACID so they all shrivel up and an issue brewing, my friends and I are to claim that KJ residents would use all of burn from the inside out. Rotten rotten afraid to go out to the shopping centers the county’s water because they “refuse to people they are.” at night because you feel the hatred in close the tap from Friday through “They don’t need water, they don’t the air.” Saturday,” and he warned that he would shower (hint, they stink). I am tired of Another resident describes “feeling not “condone a parasite community looking at their curls—someone should terrorized. We get spit on at the gas tearing up local roads, be they state, cut them.” station and I get cursed at.” It may be a county, or town, in order to facilitate a “The Hassidics [sic] have a track few rabble-rousers, but they are leaving community who constantly cry record for being con artists, scammers, a significant mark. persecution as they bury the landscape.” thieves and generally filthy people ... we A Brooklyn resident described her After the Times Herald-Record should drive them back to Brooklyn.” attempts to find the community of KJ. In reprimanded Bohan for his attack on KJ, Aside from these blatant examples of response to her asking for directions, the Bohan accused the village of anti-Semitism, there were numerous people at the area’s gas stations and “threatening to smother the diverse instances of subtle anti-Orthodox convenience stores said they never lifestyle of the region.” sentiment. One news reporter recalled heard of the village . "It was as though to In January 2010 Charlie Bohan retired an Orange County legislator giving him them KJ did not exist at all. The minute I from his position as Blooming Grove a tour of KJ. He said he cringed when he mentioned KJ, they just said, ‘Sorry, I Supervisor after four consecutive terms. heard the legislator describing KJ don't know,' and that is where the In reaction to Bohan’s departure, residents as “those people,” as though conversation ended. Michele Murphy, an activist in the area, they were a group he generally wouldn’t “Later, when I finally found the place, told the Times Herald-Record, “There deign to discuss. Another legislator I realized that it was impossible that they were two sides to it; some people recalled a colleague introducing him to didn't know that KJ was just a mile up thought of him as a racist, but others KJ as “though they were poor little the road." [claimed that] he says exactly what urchins who were to be pitied—little did There might only be a few rabble- everybody feels but are too afraid to I know how far that was from the truth.” rousers, but the general negative attitude say.” is transmitted by too many others. Actually, some aren’t so afraid to The Aftereffects speak as long as they remain There has been no poll on how many The Courts’ Rulings anonymous. An online petition posted Orange County residents dislike Jews. The New York State Supreme Court by the Concerned Citizens of Blooming Regardless of numbers, KJ residents feel ruled that KJ had to do more research on Grove generated comments such as the anti-Semitism in a very real, concrete the environmental impact the proposed following: way. One woman, who lives in KJ and pipeline would have on the “You are pushing the tolerance of non- wishes to remain anonymous, says that environment; the main issue was how Jews to the limit. Beware of the when she waits on line in Wal-Mart, “I sewage would be affected by the consequences [emphasis in original]!” get dirty looks, and they will begin increased use of water. KJ appealed the “Enough with these people.” talking right in front of my face about decision to the New York State Appellate “If this project does get approved, I how the area is changing. It’s as though I Division, which accepted KJ’s first will personally contaminate the pipeline am invisible. When there is a hearing or environmental review but ordered the

The Village of Kiryas Joel’s current sewage plant

10 Hamodia Magazine March 24, 2010 village to amend it with more research responsible. KJ won the lawsuit, and the The Incorporation of Villages on the issue of sewage. State Supreme Court enjoined the county Another tactic in the plan to stop KJ’s When KJ could not build the pipeline, from the sale of any sewage capacity to growth was the incorporation of villages. residents of South Orange County were municipalities outside Sewer District I, To understand the process and the reason thrilled. They believed that this was the including Woodbury. for the incorporation of villages, one must first step in stopping KJ’s rapid growth. That left Orange County in a bind. On understand the provision of New York Indeed, Jonathan Swiller, of SOCA, the the one hand, the injunction became a Municipal Home Rule Law. Under New Southern Orange County Alliance, serious financial drain, because the county York law, villages are granted broad whose motto was “Not One Inch” (for could not sell sewage capacity to powers enabling them to adopt zoning KJ), remarked that the Appellate prospective realtors who wanted laws, provide services to their residents, Division decision was a “gift and regulate the quality of from the late Spencer life in their jurisdictions. If McLaughlin … to make sure five hundred people living in that the rules are followed and close proximity in a town to protect the environment.” join forces and sign a petition for incorporation as a village, The Plan That Didn’t Work they may be able to restrict When KJ studied the effects who they want residing in of the pipeline on the sewage their vicinity. plant, it learned that Orange In 2004, in the midst of all County’s sense of victory the pipeline debates, the local would be short-lived. In 1999, media created panic among in a case brought by Orange Southern Orange County Environment, the Federal residents by proclaiming in Court ordered the county to big, bold headlines, expand its sewage facilities “ANOTHER KJ IN THE located in Harriman because MAKING.” One would have the county is legally mandated thought that a homeless to provide adequate sewage shelter or prison was going to facilities to Sewer District I. be built next door to their This district is comprised of the sprawling rural enclaves. That Town of Monroe and the three wasn’t the case; it was a notice villages in Monroe — to the towns that surround KJ, Harriman, Monroe, and KJ. Blooming Grove, and In accordance with that Woodbury that the chassidim decision, the county agreed to A newspaper headline incites local residents were infiltrating. a $26-million expansion of the People panicked. Residents sewage plant. However, instead of adequate services for their developments. of the Town of Woodbury, by a ratio of ensuring that all communities in Sewer Woodbury was also suffering because three to one, voted to incorporate almost District I would receive adequate sewage although it had an adequate water supply, all of the Town of Woodbury into a treatment, the county went ahead and it did not have enough sewage capacity village. Only a month and a half before sold capacity in the sewer plant to and could not obtain more. On the other Woodbury became a village, South Moodna communities—areas outside hand, lifting the injunction would mean Blooming Grove was incorporated as a Sewer District I. The county thought it that it would have to allow KJ to go ahead village as well. This meant that a large could have it both ways—increase its with the water proposal. group of residents thought the additional sewage facilities and sell parts of them, For about two years, the county layer of village taxes, other than the town while withholding space from KJ. It could refused to budge from its self-defeating and county taxes they were already not. position. The county was stuck on the paying, was well worth the effort of KJ sued the county, arguing that the notion that somehow KJ’s lack of water ensuring that KJ would not grow. As one county could not maintain that there and sewage would actually get its woman explained to the Times Herald- wasn’t enough sewage capacity for KJ in residents to pack their bags and leave, or Record, “I’m not supposed to say it, I its facility when it was selling off space to at least force newly married couples to guess, but [it’s] the overrunning of communities for whom it was not move back to Brooklyn. Hassidic Jews.”

Hamodia Magazine 9 Nisan 5770 11 Clearly, this was an all-out war against One KJ resident asked, “So we have a the residents of KJ. What is so unfortunate But why are settlement. But why are we being treated about this needless battle is that a village like second-class citizens? Are we taking can’t really stop the expansion of a anything away from anybody? Why don’t neighboring village. It can delay, it can they just leave us alone?” stall; but at the end of the day, the judicial we being like system is meant to restore balance and “Why Don’t They Leave Us Alone?” justice in the system, and the expansion There is an array of answers to this will take place one way or another. second class question. Speak to a resident of South Orange County and you will hear that KJ The Settlement is congesting the area with traffic; that it The court’s decision in the Harriman citizens? does not contribute economically because sewage facility case, hurt the county it has its own stores; that it is creating a deeply. After all, it couldn’t sell its extra city in a rural area. sewage rights, as per the The notion that KJ’s court order and, it couldn’t growth has caused an finalize the sale of a 258- increase in traffic is untrue. acre Camp La Guardia Actually, from the property to a developer perspective of land whose plans depended on planners and receiving sewage treatment environmentalists, the from the Harriman plant. village of KJ is preferred Meanwhile, KJ could not because it has a dense proceed with efforts to stop population living within a the water shortage, and it small area and it is was wasting valuable time. pedestrian-focused. KJ is a Yet Southern Orange community in which only County residents were not 1,500 of the 22,000 residents giving up, and support drive and most people get grew for another lawsuit around on foot. Although against KJ’s pipeline plans. traffic in South Orange Once again, at public County has increased, that hearings many spoke of the KJ’s two water tanks (when under construction), which aid the groundwater wells in is attributable to the impact the pipeline would dealing with peak and off-peak demand. revitalized shopping have on growth in KJ and centers, such as Woodbury complained of KJ’s political clout and its Orange County agreed to provide KJ with Common and Wal-Mart. David Church, success in securing public grants. Even sewage services that would accommodate Orange County’s planning commissioner, though the village issued an “amended the influx of water from the proposed notes that KJ “is environmentally superior findings statement” in March to move the pipeline, and KJ agreed to prepare a to the sprawl that surrounds it.” proposal along, the county found that the county-approved protocol for the Regarding the argument that KJ does amended findings did not comply with management of construction along not contribute economically to the the environmental review law. On July 30, roadways during the installation of the neighboring communities, Ari Felberman, 2009, Orange County sued again. pipeline. Everything was right back to the Kiryas Joel government relations About six weeks later, despite the where it had all started in 2000—except coordinator, points out that a large ensuing litigation, county leaders began to that the county had frittered away time percentage of staff members at KJ’s health- negotiate a settlement. It is not particularly and taxpayers’ money, with absolutely care centers and special-education schools clear what precipitated this change when nothing to show for it. As of now, the are drawn from the surrounding villages. the settlement should have occurred long battle is over and the county cannot claim While KJ has its own stores, most of them before. It could have been the inability to victory. cater specifically to the culturally sensitive sell Camp La Guardia because of the One would think that upon hearing of needs of the community; it has kosher property's lack of sewage, and the the settlement, KJ residents would be supermarkets, hardware stores with ensuing financial strain. ecstatic. They are not—because they are mikva’os, and toy stores that don’t carry Whatever it was, on February 21, 2010, exhausted. the latest icon dolls. Moreover, KJ

12 Hamodia Magazine March 24, 2010 residents do not hesitate to shop in stores from many other urban-like developments hate KJ for it. and markets in Southern Orange County. growing in rural areas. Douglas Cunningham, in his column They are, and always have been, good Nonetheless, South Orange County is in the Times Herald-Record, excoriated the customers. blind to that. residents of Southern Orange County, Then there is the issue of KJ destroying writing that what they want KJ to do is the rural quality of the town. The residents Lessons to Be Learned “stay within Kiryas Joel, abandon all who are concerned about this argue that Michael Amo has urged neighboring thoughts of growth or movement, and they are not anti-Semites. Indeed, one towns to learn from KJ. The attitude that willingly accept the barbed wire the rest resident who wished to remain anything KJ does must be stopped at all of us ever-so-tolerant citizens will string anonymous pointed out that all her best costs is a mentality that is self- around the outside. November 1938, friends are Jewish but that didn’t change destructive. anyone?” the fact that KJ “was going to make Kiryas Joel is based on “90% hard We have a democratic system that is Woodbury look like Brooklyn and work and brains,” says Amo. He referred doing its very best to ensure that 1938 devalue a house I put a lot of money into.” to KJ’s hiring of seventy people during will not happen here in the United States. However, this trend isn’t specific to the 2000 Census to make sure that all But the judicial process is exhausting and Orange County alone. The urbanization of residents of KJ would fill out their forms. anti-Semitism is humiliating. “[KJ has] suburbs is a process that has occurred Based on the information in the census, built a beautiful community,” said throughout the United States. In fact, KJ received grants for the creation of former congressman Benjamin Gilman, Newburgh, in Orange County, the same state-of-the-art health-care facilities, who represented KJ for twenty-six years county that criticizes KJ, is a city in the security, sidewalks, and public and remembers it as a very small village midst of a very rural area. It is a process transportation. Indeed, there are when it was incorporated in 1977. that cannot be legally reversed or choked. neighboring residents who use KJ’s After all that hard work, KJ residents Unlike the typical city, KJ has an almost Hatzolah and health-care facilities have no plans to leave. The hope is that nonexistent crime rate. It does not use because they know how quick and even though there will always be those taxpayer funds but rather supports its sophisticated their medical services are. who hate Jews, for the most part, KJ and own education system, and it pays annual Some neighboring communities its neighbors will figure out a way of co- property taxes in excess of a million wonder why they didn’t receive the existing, as long as there is a “good fence” dollars to the Town of Monroe. The village grants. Amo says the simple answer is between them—because, as they say, is a far cry from Brooklyn and a far cry “because they didn’t apply.” Still, many good fences makes good neighbors. ]M

Aishes Chayil Women’s Relief Center in KJ.

Hamodia Magazine 9 Nisan 5770 13 By Eli Simon

22 Hamodia Magazine September 21, 2010 amodia’s Pesach edition explored Orange County’s attempts to stop HKiryas Joel’s plan to build a water pipeline, in an effort to discourage Orthodox growth. In February, the dispute between the Village of Kiryas Joel (KJ) and Orange County seemed to be over as the parties reached a court-ordered settlement, which allowed KJ to build a pipeline that would tap into the Catskill Aqueduct. Fast-forward seven months and the matter is once again in the mire of the court system. Despite the agreement between Orange County and KJ, the Town of Woodbury and the Villages of Woodbury and Harriman are seeking to set aside the court-ordered settlement and to keep KJ from moving forward with the pipeline. Mr. Michael Sterthous, the attorney representing KJ, notes that the “the claim is baseless” as Kiryas Joel and Orange P A R T II County stipulated to dismiss the case with prejudice — in effect, barring the issue from future litigation. As unfounded as the case may be, KJ still has to expend large amounts of money, time, and effort to defend itself. While the plaintiff's case is weak, they have nonetheless managed to harass KJ and to delay the project. And so the saga continues. Our intention is not to continue analyzing the matter of KJ’s pipeline. Instead, this article focuses on other cases involving discriminatory zoning laws and ordinances that were enacted to curtail Orthodox growth. These cases also highlight the fact that from the perspective of the secular world, Orthodox Jews are all the same, whether they are Chassidic, Yeshivish or Modern Orthodox.

Hamodia Magazine 13 Tishrei 5771 23 Kiryas Joel Is Not Alone Jew. But they didn’t make these non-Jews, a lot of the cases actually stem As an Orthodox Jew living in New York distinctions, because anti-Semitism has no from actions initiated by secular Jews, and City, it was difficult for me to truly boundaries. To the anti-Semite there is no sometimes these are the cases that are the empathize with the frustration and reason for his or her hatred; there is only the most virulent. humiliation KJ residents feel. Perhaps that notion that all Jews are ethnically repulsive. In KJ’s case, which may be a prototype is because people living in New York are so As such, Anthony Julius, a prolific author for other cases, most of the leaders accustomed to the multiplicity of ethnic on the subject of anti-Semitism, aptly opposing KJ’s plans are non-Jews, and groups living within the 304-square-mile writes, “To study [anti-Semitism] is to some have proven themselves to be radius of the city. Perhaps it simply reflects immerse oneself in muck. Anti-Semitism is incredibly anti-Semitic. Interestingly, these the genuine acceptance and tolerance of the a sewer.” rabble-rousers who incite the Orange typical cosmopolitan New Yorker. In America today, hatred County populace would consider Whatever the reason, many of New York’s toward Jews as a race isn’t themselves the least biased Orthodox Jews are able to walk around in readily apparent. Those people on earth. Indeed, one shtreimlach and long woolen coats in the who hate Jews can’t of these leaders has blazing summer heat, and still feel simply begin looting or adopted poverty-stricken remarkably normal. rioting, and so they children from the KJ’s legal woes might allow you to believe cloak their sentiments Dominican Republic. Yet that religious Jews begin to feel different in anti-Zionist or when it comes to the farther you go from New York City. militant rhetoric. But empathizing with the The thought is that anti-Semitism is much this does not apply to anti- Orthodox community, there more prevalent in rural areas, precisely Orthodox sentiments touted is an impenetrable wall that those rural areas that are becoming more regularly and unabashedly by obstructs his ability to be objective. suburban, as in Monroe. non-Jews and secular Jews alike. For Then there are those few leaders who But a brief survey of other federal cases some reason many secular Jews assert that argue that their motives cannot possibly demonstrates that anti-Semitic attitudes discrimination against the Orthodox is self- be anti-Semitic since they are Jewish are in no way limited to location and class. inflicted because Orthodox Jews refuse to themselves. Indeed, one non-Jewish In fact, the burgeoning court record assimilate into the broader culture. government official in Orange County establishes that anti-Semitism, especially Ironically, the Amish and Mennonites noted that he couldn’t help but question the sort that expresses itself in the fiery are admired, even revered by some, for these leaders’ opposition to Orthodox opposition to Jewish growth, is very much their choice to live separate and apart. This growth precisely because they are alive in the most cosmopolitan and upscale is not the case when it comes to Orthodox Jewish. communities. Jews. On the contrary, many non-Jews are Other opponents argue that their puzzled by the gnawing question of why so opposition to Orthodox growth is not based Anti-Semitism and Anti-Orthodoxy many Jews they know are so “normal,” on anti-Semitism at all. What they are upset From time immemorial there has existed unlike the Orthodox Jews, who seem about is the fact that the typical large the repulsive notion that Jews try to “weird.” In a similar vein, Ann G., a Orthodox family will destroy the bucolic manipulate the system, that they are liars, resident of Eastport, New York, told me, “I quality of the town. But the urbanization of and that if a Jew has money he gained it work with Orthodox Jews, I get along with suburbs and rural areas is a process that has through usury and greed. These Orthodox Jews, but I don’t really get them,” occurred throughout the United States. As stereotypical judgments abound in the especially because, according to Ann, there legitimate as the concern may be, it is a arenas of religion, nationalism, politics and are “so many good Jews I know who do not process that cannot be stemmed and in the economics. They were popular throughout need to follow any strict rules.” long run a fight that cannot be won. history, and in medieval and early modern As for secular Jews, many feel that Certainly, there are different reasons for times anti-Semitism was directed toward Orthodox Jews are living under a code that opposing the Orthodox presence in Orthodox Jews because then there was is outdated. Interestingly, the very same homogenous communities and not all of the actually only one denomination among liberal Jews who believe in acceptance and outcry is scandalous. Nonetheless, Jews. diversity when it comes to the rest of the Orthodox Jews still have to deal with the With the rise of the Reform and world are now denying Orthodox Jews that rejection of anti-Semites and secular Jews Conservative movements, world Jewry was same privilege. who are anti-Orthodox. What is so ironic is divided. As such, rabid anti-Semites, such In fact, the noted constitutional lawyer that the secular Jews, who bear this as Hitler, could have differentiated among Mr. Nathan Lewin explains that while condescending attitude toward their various types of Jews — the assimilated many discrimination cases against Jews are brethren, forget that to anti-Semites all Jews Jew, the traditional Jew and the Chassidic based on a lack of understanding among are the same.

24 Hamodia Magazine September 21, 2010 Tenafly: A Modern Orthodox Community peyos and long beards. Yet this occurred in Borough of Tenafly appealed to the Seeks an Eruv a suburb very close to New York City, in Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Tenafly, New Jersey, in Bergen County, an area of professional Orthodox Jews refused to hear the case, but negotiations is an affluent suburb of New York City who mingle daily with the secular world continued until 2006, when the Tenafly that borders on Englewood and and who are enthusiastic participants in government was forced to pay more than Bergenfield, near Teaneck. Englewood is a secular educational settings. Nevertheless, $300,000 in legal fees to the TEA. thriving Modern Orthodox community, the fear of Orthodox growth is palpable. Today Tenafly has a legal eruv, and and a small number of its Orthodox Jews Tenafly government officials dragged contrary to what some residents feared, it moved north to the Borough of Tenafly, their feet when it came to approving the remains a very small Jewish community. where they could enjoy the conveniences application for an eruv. In response, the More importantly, the battle over the eruv of Englewood’s kosher shops, shuls and Tenafly Eruv Association (TEA) bypassed set a legal precedent, as Mr. Chaim Book, schools. To accommodate those who borough officials and applied directly to one of the plaintiffs in the case against the wanted to walk to shul on Shabbos, some Bergen County officials for permission. Borough of Tenafly, explains: “[T]he Orthodox Jews in Tenafly asked the When county officials gave them the Tenafly case made a real, positive Borough of Tenafly for permission to erect authority to proceed, the TEA set up an contribution in that many Orthodox an eruv, which would involve placing eruv. communities, such as Linden, New Jersey, black plastic pipes on existing utility Tenafly’s municipal government was have had no problem at all putting up an poles. The black pipes generally go not ready to give up, and soon after the eruv.” unnoticed since they are enmeshed in an eruv was built, the borough filed a lawsuit assortment of cable wires. claiming that the eruv was a violation of Westhampton Beach: Another Modern An eruv was proposed at the council local Ordinance 691, which barred the Orthodox Community Fighting for an meeting, and some Tenafly residents, placement of any sign, advertisement, or Eruv most of whom happened to be secular other matter on any pole, tree, curbstone, Mr. Book also noted that the Tenafly Jews, vehemently opposed the or sidewalk in a public street or public case has made “people aware of the proposition for fear that it would place. issues.” That may explain why, as of now, encourage more Orthodox Jews to move A series of lawsuits and countersuits court proceedings have not begun in a to Tenafly. Not only did they fear followed, until the United States Third similar controversy over an eruv in Orthodox Jewish neighbors, but one Circuit Court of Appeals found that the Westhampton Beach, a village in the council member voiced his “serious Borough of Tenafly was violating the Hamptons, an exclusive area of Long concern” that ultra-Orthodox Jews might plaintiff’s Free Exercise Clause by Island. stone the cars that drive on Shabbos. It selectively applying Ordinance 691 In Westhampton, secular Jews are the was also suggested that an eruv is an against conduct sincerely motivated by ones protesting an eruv. Once again, “optional” religious practice. Orthodox Jewish beliefs and ignoring the opponents fear that the Hamptons would One would think that these comments ordinance when it came to house number become too Jewish, that the stores would would appear only in the context of a signs and directional signs to churches. have to be closed on Shabbos, that in no Chassidic community, where Jews have The battle did not end there. The time this affluent community would be destroyed by the “ways” of the Orthodox. Map of Tenafly, New Jersey. As in Tenafly, residents of Westhampton do not have the peyos and beards that are pervasive in areas such as Monsey and Monroe. I spoke to a noted doctor, a summer resident of Westhampton (who wished to remain unnamed), about this and he said, “To the outside world we are all one and the same; they don’t differentiate between types of kippos.” Other than the emotional component that propels the opposition, there are legal arguments for opposing the eruv. One of the claims is that an eruv would violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment since it would appear that a

Hamodia Magazine 13 Tishrei 5771 25 government is endorsing a religion in Airmont: Trying to Control Who who comes out,” explains Dennis Lynch, preferential terms. But the court in the Comes In and Who Goes Out a defense attorney in the Airmont case. Tenafly case said that when the The Village of Airmont, New York, in That was precisely where the problem government approves an eruv, it is not the Town of Ramapo, is a typical began. endorsing a religion, only accommodating suburban neighborhood located three At the time of incorporation, Ramapo the religious customs of one group. miles from Monsey. In the mid-1980s, had a zoning code that allowed a place Opponents of the eruv in Westhampton local residents realized that Orthodox of worship to be built only on a lot at assert that Tenafly doesn’t apply to their Jews were moving in, and they began to least two acres in size. However, there case because they apply their ordinance devise strategies to impede Orthodox was also a provision in the code for barring signs on poles indiscriminately. growth. “home professional offices” (HPOs), However, it is still legally very difficult to In 1991, Airmont had about 9,500 which in effect allowed for home find reasons to deny an eruv, especially residents, including 250 Orthodox Jews synagogues (shtieblach) as long as the when considering the Free Exercise and many non-Orthodox Jews and non- group in a home synagogue did not Clause, the second part of the First Jews. To ensure that those ratios would exceed forty-nine people. Amendment, which states that Congress not change, Airmont incorporated itself Because the frum Airmont population can make no law prohibiting the free into a village so that strict zoning rules was very small, it could not afford to exercise of religion. Additionally, civil and ordinances could be created. Under build a large shul on a two-acre lot. rights cases apply a standard of “strict New York State law, villages are granted Shtieblach were the only way the scrutiny,” the most stringent standard of broad powers to adopt zoning laws, to community could survive; but the judicial review used by courts reviewing provide services to their residents, and groups of frum people going in and out federal law. to regulate the quality of life within their of houses on Friday night and Shabbos Even so, Orthodox Jews in jurisdictions. was viewed by some Airmont residents Westhampton are having a very difficult “As the religious population in as an invasion of sorts. To combat this time obtaining permission for an eruv — to Rockland County was growing, the extent that opponents urged Orthodox zoning rules Jews to get volunteers to push their were used to carriages rather than simply giving them determine who the right to set up an eruv. comes in and

Black plastic pipes are typically placed on wires affixed to telephone poles to create an eruv.

26 Hamodia Magazine September 21, 2010 problem they formed the Airmont Civic harassment, Raymond Montone and Suffern: Opposing a Guesthouse Association (the ACA), a group that other residents of Airmont stood outside But Forgetting About RLUIPA became an open forum for irrational a shtiebel to count the arriving The legal battle in Airmont preceded outrage and anti-Semitic comments. congregants and make sure the number the Religious Land Use and Some examples of statements made did not exceed forty-nine. Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 by residents of Airmont at an ACA The Village of Airmont’s plan was (RLUIPA), but the case of Bikur Cholim of meeting include: halted when the United States Rockland County v. The Village of Suffern was “What would be better — for us to government stepped in. Otto Obermaier, made that much easier because it was able lose our homes for a religious sect, or for the U. S. Attorney for the Southern to rely on the RLUIPA statute. us to live as we have lived for the past District of New York, argued that the RLUIPA is a United States federal law twenty-five years?” zoning plan intended to exclude that prohibits a government from “Let the people in the unincorporated Orthodox Jews from living in the village “implement[ing] a land-use regulation in a area of Ramapo go ahead and fight for and that individuals had engaged in a manner that imposes a substantial burden what they believe in instead of giving up pattern of harassment against Orthodox on the religious exercise of a person ... or what we’ve worked very hard for to a Jews in the village. institution, unless the government bunch of people who insist on living in The U. S. government and individual demonstrates that imposition of the the past.” plaintiffs — Rabbi Sternberg, Mrs. burden on that person ... or institution is in Aside from the rants, the ACA went Chanie Sternberg, Fred Walfish, Lewis furtherance of a compelling governmental so far as to forcibly oppose and Kamen and Park Avenue Synagogue — interest and is the least restrictive means of challenge applications for slight sued Airmont and individual local furthering that compelling governmental variances for the building of a shul. In residents and trustees of Airmont for interest.” This means that zoning laws one instance the ACA denied a permit to violating their civil rights, including intended to hinder the building of shuls or build a shul on a lot of 1.926 acres their First Amendment right to the free yeshivos would not be permitted unless because it did not meet the two-acre exercise of religion. While the district the government brings a very compelling criterion. Moreover, in an act of extreme court found that the village did not argument for why those zoning laws are violate any of the plaintiffs’ needed. Pamphlets distributed by the Westhampton Alliance, protesting the eruv. rights, the United States Second Since 2006, Bikur Cholim of Rockland Circuit Court of Appeals reversed County has had to deal with neighbors’ the lower court’s decision and complaints about the development of a found that Airmont violated the guesthouse near Good Samaritan Hospital civil rights of plaintiffs by halting that offers relatives of patients a place to the development of shuls and sleep on Shabbos. The neighbors protested shtieblach. the guesthouse, claiming that it defied a There were many reasons for local ordinance that did not allow hotels in finding Airmont in violation of the area. They also argued that the civil rights — among them the guesthouse would increase traffic and claim that the village was not make it more difficult to find parking. applying its zoning rules on a Bikur Cholim explained to local consistent basis since churches residents that its only purpose was to were allowed to build on smaller provide families with a place to sleep, and lots and golf clubs were allowed to that the guesthouse was not a hotel as it hold parties and cause dense had absolutely no intention of making a traffic. The court found it profit. In addition, if there was a small unacceptable that the village was chance of increased traffic, it would be permitting other local constituents limited to Friday only, since the to violate its mantra of “preserving guesthouse would not be used during the the residential character of the week. Of course, Bikur Cholim’s neighborhood” while barring the explanations fell on deaf ears. Orthodox community from The opposition was strong. During a violating any ordinance at all. town hearing in 2006, Rabbi Simon Lauber, Indeed, selective enforcement of director of Bikur Cholim, described the standards is precisely what tension as so fierce that the police chief sat discrimination is all about. in the front row in an effort to block

Hamodia Magazine 13 Tishrei 5771 27 A 2005 copy of the local newspaper, “The Home and Suffern residents from harming Store News” serving Rockland County, in N.Y. and representatives of Bikur Cholim. When neighboring New Jersey Good Samaritan Hospital endorsed the describing the battle over the guesthouse in front of 250 residents, Bikur Cholim guesthouse. everyone joined in a loud chorus of booing. Eventually, the village denied a zoning variance for the guesthouse, with village attorney Terry Rice explaining that the zoning would not allow for it. Apparently, Attorney Rice failed to consider RLUIPA. Bikur Cholim of Rockland County sued the Village of Suffern for denying a zoning variance and violating RLUIPA. The following year, the United States government interceded by suing the Village of Suffern. District Court Judge Warren Eginton ruled that Bikur Cholim’s use of the guesthouse fell within the provision of RLUIPA, which meant that Suffern’s denial of a variance was a substantial burden on Bikur Cholim’s right to exercise religious freedom and on the Orthodox Jews who use the guesthouse. Once a prima facie case against the Orthodox growth think that their personal laws because I live in Brooklyn. But I was Village of Suffern was established, the cases differ from the legal precedent, that involved in a chance encounter that left village would have to show a compelling somehow RLUIPA and the Equal me reeling. I was at a press briefing — interest for denying Bikur Cholim a zoning Protection Clause don’t apply to them. one of those perks you get as a reporter variance for its guesthouse. But the village Presently, there are many — where I was seated next to an realized that it would not be easy to do so. discrimination cases involving Orthodox important individual. Bursting with In fact, other than complaining about some Jews pending in federal court. One confidence, he sported a polka-dotted minor traffic inconveniences, they would example is the ongoing case of bow tie, and wore an exquisitely tailored probably have not much to say. In June of Congregational Rabbinic College of Tartikov v. suit and a shirt whose cuffs displayed 2010 the matter was settled, and the Village of Pomona, in which plaintiffs monogrammed diamond cufflinks. He Village of Suffern agreed to allow the invoked RLUIPA and the Fair Housing conversed with me throughout the continued operation of a Shabbos Act on the grounds that representatives of meeting, offering his comments and guesthouse. the Rabbinical College have requested opinions. When the briefing was over, he This case involved four years of repeatedly to meet with village asked me where I was from, and I prolonged litigation, and the settlement representatives to discuss plans to build on responded, “Brooklyn.” took the Village of Suffern right back to one hundred acres of land in Pomona but Apparently, at that point he realized I where it started. Nothing really changed have been rebuffed each time. This blatant was Orthodox. That was when he rolled — other than, perhaps, an disregard of the Rabbinical College’s his eyes and with a sneer of utter contempt acknowledgment that all Americans are proposal is just a means of postponing an said, “Ugh, you don’t want to talk to me. entitled to live in communities that are free inevitable confrontation in which the You’re one of those.” He walked away of discrimination. Village of Pomona will attempt to stop the with a dismissive wave of his hand. construction of the Rabbinical College. I don’t know if he was Jewish or if he Because This Case Is Different Since the legal issues in this case are a bit was merely affiliated with a Jewish cause. The Tenafly, Airmont and Bikur more complicated, it remains to be seen I don’t know if he was an anti-Semite or a Cholim cases are important in that they how things will develop. secular Jew who was anti-Orthodox. I do have all supported the religious freedom know that I felt humiliated. Eventually it of Orthodox communities. One would Finally Beginning to Feel Different all catches up with you, whether you live think that these cases would preclude Previously, I mentioned that I never in Kiryas Joel, Airmont, Suffern or future lawsuits, but many opponents of felt the impact of discriminatory zoning Brooklyn. ❚M

28 Hamodia Magazine September 21, 2010 Rabbi Shmuel Weissfeld

MI BA’EISH? ‘WHO BY FIRE…’

A VISIT TO THE KIRYAS YOEL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AN INTERVIEW WITH FIRE CHIEF REB YEHOSHUA BLUMENTHAL

hen we think of firefighters we imagine brave men dressed in heavy, Winflammable gear plunging heroically into burning buildings to make sure no living being is trapped inside. Firefighters elicit our admiration for placing their lives in danger to do their job. One fire department, which has a history of extraordinary devotion, is otherwise distinguished for the unusual appearance of its firemen. The firefighters of Kiryas Joel are all bearded, chassidic Jews with peyos beneath their helmets and tzitzis underneath their heavy uniforms. Welcome to Matzilei Eish, the fire department that’s been serving the village of Kiryas Joel for nearly a decade!

For several months I had been trying a long white beard, gave us a tour of his Why Kiryas Joel Needed Its Own to get through to the fire chief of Kiryas station. We saw the fully equipped fire Fire Department Joel, Reb Yehoshua Blumenthal, but he trucks and examined all the What led Kiryas Joel to establish its was always either out on an emergency sophisticated equipment owned by this own fire department? Reb Yehoshua call or busy with a hundred other things autonomous fire department. We were explained, “Kiryas Joel suffered from related to the Fire Department. He didn’t especially impressed by a state-of-the- several devastating fires because it took have a spare moment for an interview. art instrument that enables firefighters too long for the nearest fire department to This summer a Hamodia delegation of to see through a cloud of thick smoke. I show up in time to reduce the damage. reporters visited Kiryas Joel; one of the noticed the letters beis, samech, dalet Buildings in this area are all built of high points of our trip was the time we emblazoned on the exterior of a fire wood, so flames spread quickly and spent at the Matzilei Eish headquarters. truck: without siyatta diShmaya, even entire structures were destroyed before Reb Yehoshua Blumenthal, probably the smallest fire cannot be the firefighters could arrive.” the only fire chief in the world who has extinguished. “Ever since Kiryas Joel began

18 Hamodia Magazine September 16, 2009 considering establishing its own fire larger and more department,” says Gedalye Szegedin, serious, he himself Village of Kiryas Joel’s administrator, “we goes to the scene. When a had to cut through a lot of red tape in fire breaks out, a call is placed Orange County before they accepted our to the dispatcher of Hatzolah. The residents as legitimate firefighters. Once dispatcher relays the call to the fire they began accepting our heimishe squad who rush to the fire station from yungeleit as volunteers and we assembled wherever they are and from there to the a group of trained men, we were able to scene of the fire in a fire truck. get Matzilei Eish off the ground.” The fire chief is also in charge of The volunteers told us about a run-in purchasing, updating and seeing to the they had with OSHA (the federal maintenance of all equipment. He Occupational Safety & Health dispatches different types of trucks Administration) over the masks that depending on the severity of the Nothing is too firefighters need to wear at a fire scene. emergency. For the “average” fire, both a high for a Because these masks require that the pump and a ladder-engine are sent out. Matzilei Eish Fire fighter person wearing them has no facial hair, For car accidents, he sends a truck that’s this posed a problem for the Matzilei equipped with heavy-duty tools to Eish volunteers, who all have beards handle extractions from wrecked cars. bedikas and biur chametz, volunteers are and peyos. Matzilei Eish considered During times when there is a higher stationed at, and dispatched from, the importing special masks from Eretz risk of fires, like on Erev Pesach, during Matzilei Eish headquarters. Yisrael, but in the end it was decided that the volunteers would wear the regular masks. For interior or structural Fiery Facts fires, Matzilei Eish has other firemen — Matzilei Eish, Kiryas Joel’s fire department, was founded in the year wearing hermetically sealed masks — 2000, and now has a fleet of six fire trucks and about fifty volunteers. who do the grueling job of entering Response time is between a minute to a minute and a half. In 2008, Matzilei burning structures. Eish handled 730 calls in Kiryas Joel, both fire calls and carbon monoxide Thanks to Matzilei Eish, there were detections. In the years since Matzilei Eish was established, there have only many cases in which houses were saved been two or three instances of homes burning to the ground, what they term from total destruction because of their “structure fires.” This is in stark contrast to earlier years when there were prompt arrival at the scene. frequent occurrences of a woman forgetting she left a pot of soup on the burner and returning home to find “ground zero.” Today Matzilei Eish arrives At the Scene of the Fire at the scene in the early stages of a fire, thus averting extensive damage. Chief Yehoshua Blumenthal is In a few months Matzilei Eish will celebrate its tenth anniversary of saving responsible for coordinating and lives and property. We wish them continued success in their heroic mission. dispatching rescue teams. When the fire is

The Matzilei Eish Fire house

Hamodia Magazine 27 Elul 5769 19 When I asked Chief Blumenthal if his own lives first and, baruch Hashem, none of the truck’s sophisticated equipment, men enter blazing homes, he said that if a of his volunteers have ever been injured including various sizes of ladders and human life is in danger, everything is in rescue missions. power saws that are used to cut through done to save it. Obviously, he said, the “Often,” he says, “we’re called to debris in more grueling cases. There are volunteers are trained to protect their situations where the carbon monoxide various types of sand and water that are detector goes off …. If we find that the used to extinguish different kinds of fires, carbon monoxide level is too high, we call special apparatus similar to X-ray in special companies trained to handle machines that pinpoint the exact location such problems.” of the fire or where people are trapped, What happens on Shabbos? “If a call and the above-mentioned instruments comes in on Shabbos,” a volunteer that see through the smoke. explains, “two volunteers respond first, because halachah says that one must Recruitment respond even when there’s a safek of Matzilei Eish volunteers are Kiryas pikuach nefesh. As long as there’s a Yoel residents who are either learning in possibility that someone’s life is in kollel or have jobs that they can leave in danger, then everything possible must case of an emergency. In order to be be done to save him. If the situation is accepted as a volunteer for Matzilei Eish, serious, then reinforcements are called one must undergo a thorough medical in. Shabbos goyim [non-Jews] go along to examination and attend special courses do melachos that don’t have to be done run by the State of New York. Lectures by the volunteers themselves.” are given in a “training room” at the I asked them if there are more Matzilei Eish station house. All drills and incidents of fires on Shabbos because of practical demonstrations are performed the Shabbos candles. No, I was told, but with their own equipment and fire trucks, there are more calls on Thursday and making the courses definitely a hands-on Friday when people cook for Shabbos. experience. The training room, with seating for Cutting-Edge Technology trainees and a podium for the lecturer, is Matzilei Eish hires technicians to adorned with signs bearing instructions inspect their trucks regularly to insure for fire rescues and some unique posters that they are functioning properly. with quotations from Chazal, like “Ein One of the team’s first volunteers, lecha adam she’ein lo shaah” and “Lo Shlomo Neiman, who is a plumber by hamidrash ha’ikar ela hamaasah” — only at a profession, showed us the fine points fire station in Kiryas Yoel! Chief Blumenthal showed me a closet Top: Fire Chief - Yehoshua Blumenthal where he stores a variety of electronic Bottom: Matzilei Eish at work items that have caused fires in the past, such as faulty outlets and old, worn-out wires. Fires can result from negligence during cooking, from a defective boiler or, as in many cases, from electrical malfunctions. If one smells fire in his house, Blumenthal urges, there isn’t a moment to spare; he must leave the house immediately and call for help. After seeing Matzilei Eish’s success, the community in New Square is now working on establishing a similar squad in their own village. “They’re almost there,” says Blumenthal, “and we’re helping them out as much as we can.” ]M

20 Hamodia Magazine September 16, 2009 By Yitzchok Cohen KIRYAS JOEL: A Chassidic Oasis in Upstate New York

A delegation of Hamodia representatives pays a visit to Kiryas Joel, the Satmar enclave in Monroe, on the occasion of the thirtieth yahrtzeit of its founder, the Satmar Rebbe, Harav Yoel Teitelbaum, zy”a

t is an unwritten law in the world of journalism that anniversaries of momentous Ievents marking a certain number of decades — the tenth, the twentieth, and so on — deserve more attention than the anniversaries in between. Naturally, the thirtieth yahrtzeit of an illustrious personality such as the Satmar Rebbe, zy”a, calls for special coverage. But special coverage on the Satmar Rebbe is something that is not really feasible. The countless articles that have been penned to describe this spiritual giant cannot do justice to the scope of his greatness. So instead of writing about the Rebbe himself, it was decided to focus on one of his extraordinary achievements — the establishment of the Satmar shtetl of Kiryas Joel in Monroe, New York. Ever since the Rebbe set foot on American soil, he harbored a dream of building his own shtetl — a quiet, secluded enclave where his chassidim could lead their lives sheltered from the tumult of the city. For many years the Rebbe nurtured this dream, hoping that one day he would be zocheh to move into such a shtetl along with his chassidim. Finally, in 1974, his dream was realized, and he settled in Kiryas Joel. The Rebbe, who did so much to advance Yiddishkeit in America, once said, “If not for my shtetl, Kiryas Joel, I would feel as if I achieved nothing in this world.” He felt that founding this enclave would be a way of perpetuating his memory, for all his children passed away during his lifetime. He once said, “I believe that I survived the war to be able to build a Yiddish shtetl.” Building the shtetl was not easy. The establishment of Kiryas Joel came after several failed attempts to set up a Satmar enclave in Staten Island, Dover, Canarsie, Mount Kisco, Congress Lake and other locations. In all these places, especially in Congress Lake, hostile anti-Semitic opposition from residents hampered him. The first resident in Kiryas Joel was a Jew from Washington Heights named Eli Birnbaum, a”h; he settled in the tract called Garden Homes. Although a member of the

10 Hamodia Magazine August 12, 2009 Hamodia Magazine 22 Av 5769 11 Ashkenazic community in Washington Satmar chassid. The mayor was out of his Chassidic Jews could raise their families at a administrative offices, we set out on a tour. responders to various emergency situations Heights, he had been deeply impressed by office just then, so we were welcomed by safe distance from the teeming streets of We first passed through a bustling shopping that crop up in a dense population of large the Satmar Rebbe’s sefer, Al Hageulah ve’al Mr. Ari Felberman, the government New York City. center replete with a full variety of stores families. Hatzolah’s usual case load is Hatemurah. Like many others, he had many relations coordinator, who graciously seated “Our mission,” he said, “is to turn Kiryas that furnish village residents with greatly increased during the summer when questions on the often-debated topic of us and served us cold drinks. Joel into a self-sufficient village enabling the everything from take-out food — both dairy residents of the many bungalow colonies Zionism, so he wrote down a list of his The walls of the mayor’s office are community to secure for its residents and meat — to fully stocked supermarket surrounding Kiryas Joel utilize their questions and went personally to present adorned with various pictures that give everything they might require. Our shelves, and a wide selection of toys, services. them to the Rebbe. The Rebbe patiently visitors a glimpse into the mayor’s standing aspiration is for Kiryas Joel to be a shtetl medications, household items and jewelry. Next we passed by the Public Safety listened to all his questions and clarified his in the political world. Mayor Wieder has where one can live his or her life peacefully Not far from the shopping center is the Department which, under the skillful The kollel building stance against Zionism until Rabbi been photographed with presidents Reagan, from cradle to grave.” Ezras Cholim Health Center, which direction of Mr. Moshe Witriol, dispatches Birnbaum understood. Afterward, Rabbi Bush, and Clinton, New York governor Regarding the village’s rapid growth, provides quality health care to community the salaried guards who patrol the village Birnbaum would often come to the Rebbe; Pataki, and other prominent political Mr. Szegedin said that unless Moshiach residents. The center, which logs in about during nighttime hours. he also studied the Rebbe’s sefarim. When he figures. A small model of Kiryas Joel’s Ezras comes soon, they will have a housing 80,000 patient visits each year, offers dental, Our guide told us that the village’s heard that a shtetl was being planned, the Cholim Medical Center graces a corner of problem, because according to pediatric, general medicine, physical sanitation department is run by Mr. idea of living there appealed to him, and he his desk. calculations, the therapy, and speech Yehoshua Blumenthal, and that many of the The main shul was among the first to register. Reb Eli lived Mr. Felberman gave us a brief overview Kiryas Joel therapy sanitation trucks, parked near the sewer in Kiryas Joel for many years. of the shtetl’s development. Kiryas Joel, he services. plant, are driven by village residents. A longtime Kiryas Joel dweller told me, said, has a much higher population density As we drove through the streets of Kiryas “Kiryas Yoel is a geshmakeh shtetl, both than other villages in upstate New York. In Joel, we witnessed the incredible realization materially and spiritually, especially in the other Orange County villages, a one-family of the dream initiated by the Satmar Rebbe, areas of tzedakah and chessed. There are house is built on one to three acres of land, who established the village with just a facets of our lives that are somewhat limited, whereas in Kiryas Joel up to fifteen handful of families on Quickway Road. One of the yeshivah buildings but in a positive sense. A person who apartments are built on one acre. The reason Today, countless new housing projects such doesn’t have a car simply makes do with the for this is, of course, financial, but there is as Shechunas Atzei Hatemarim, Shechunas local shopping center; it’s similar to the also the issue of convenience. If the village Beirach Moshe, Lemberg and others, shtetlach of yesteryear. Kiryas Yoel is an were more spread out, the men would have provide additional housing units to excellent place to raise children since they’re to walk farther to go to shul, and the women accommodate the young families who not exposed to the nisyonos that abound in to go shopping. The village is comprised of Near choose Kiryas Joel as their home. By local the city streets. Especially now in the 860 acres, or 1.1 square miles, and another population the shopping ordinance, each new housing development summer, the kids can run around and play 1,000 acres are available for future doubles every center, we saw the has its own small beis medrash so that fathers freely outside without fear of spiritual construction. eleven years. This means beautiful new simchah hall can easily walk to shul with their children storm-winds. In my opinion, it’s much Ari introduced us to Mr. Gedalye that in a little over 22 years, the population Keren V’Yoel Moshe, which has motel who might find it difficult to walk all the easier to raise children here, far away from Szegedin, the Kiryas Joel village will be close to 100,000. rooms on the upper level so that guests from way to the central beis medrash. An indirect the hullabaloo of the city.” administrator. After shaking hands with When we invited him to come visit us in outside the village can share family outcome of the smaller shuls is the close-knit each of us, he modestly asked that another the city, he responded jovially, “If you can celebrations in Kiryas Joel. connection that forms among the Keren V’Yoel Moshe simchah hall and motel Welcome to Kiryas Joel chair be brought into the room for him since show me in the city what I am about to show We drove along the hilly streets, many of mispallelim, who share in each other’s On a sunny summer morning, a car he did not want to sit in the mayor’s chair. you here in Kiryas Joel, then I’ll come.” which are named after European shtetlach simchos and are a strong support system for carrying a delegation of Hamodia Hamodia presented Administrator that were decimated in the Holocaust, such those facing sometimes overwhelming life representatives drove slowly into Kiryas Szegedin with an enlarged, framed copy of A Bustling Center of Commerce as Kozhnitz, Zenta, Satmar, Sighet, Kroli, challenges. This family-type relationship Joel, a village in the Town of Monroe. We an interview that the Satmar Rebbe, Harav And Services Lizhensk, Uhel, Gorlitz, Krakow, Dinov and among neighbors would be more difficult if pulled up in front of the main shopping Yoel Teitelbaum, had given the Times Herald Our visit had begun a little earlier in the Nicholsburg. Some are even named after everyone davened in one central location. center and proceeded to the village’s Record on September 1, 1974, shortly after he day when we davened at an early-morning cities in Eretz Yisrael, such as Meron, Tzefas, Of the 22,000 residents of Kiryas Joel, administrative office, which is moved into his newly established shtetl. At minyan in Kiryas Joel’s main shul. A unique and Chevron. Several streets are named only 1,500 are licensed drivers. Most of the located on the upper level. that time the village was comprised of a feature of the shul is a special room called after popular Satmar roshei kehillah and population get around on foot, a fact that The receptionist, a mere handful of houses; today it is the Chok Shtiebel. Four separate shiurim in philanthropists, including Lipa Friedman requires the village to maintain wide heimishe resident of the home to more than 22,000 Chok L’Yisrael are given here in the early- and Mordechai Sher. Our guide remarked sidewalks in good condition. Mr. Szegedin village, ushered us into Satmar chassidim, morning hours, and throughout the rest of that the streets that were built before the mentioned that the village municipality is the office of the mayor, about 4,000 families. the day taped lectures of the popular establishment of Kiryas Joel bear secular scheduled to begin construction of a park- Abraham Wieder, a Mr. Szegedin speaker Rabbi Yosef Chaim Greenwald are names, and on one of them we watched a and-ride project, enabling people to park Above and below: The Bais Rochel complex related that he had come played over a sound system — so anyone crew installing traffic lights at an their cars at the entrance of the village and to Kiryas Joel as a young who comes to enjoy a snack in this room is intersection. This is only one of an array of take a bus into New York City. Two- child of seven. Even at such a instantly treated to words of inspiration. federally funded projects geared toward hundred-fifty parking spaces are planned young age, he absorbed the On the same floor is Heichal Rosenberg, upgrading safety services available to for this federally funded project. values of the shtetl and understood another beautiful section of the shul that is village residents. Since the Satmar Rebbe strongly held that its purpose was to provide an dedicated to learning and resonates We drove by the headquarters of that the women in his community should be unspoiled environment where constantly with kol Torah. Chevrah Hatzolah, the heroic group of given the opportunity to be full-time Following our meeting in the dedicated volunteers who serve as first mothers to their children while parnassah Mr. Szegedin receives plaque from 12 Hamodia Magazine August 12, 2009 Hamodia delegation. Hamodia Magazine 22 Av 5769 13 should mainly be her spouse’s complete. engaging in special exercises with a devoted The Fire Department a steep hill known as the Yeshivah responsibility, there are dozens of buses that The Satmar chasunah takanos have become therapist; and a third, who was injured in a After our extended visit to Shaarei Mountain, at the top of which we entered the shuttle the men to their workplaces in New a groundbreaking revolution in the Jewish car accident a few months ago, appeared to Chemlah, we continued our tour, admiring gated beis hachaim where the Satmar Rebbe, York City. These buses are like shuls on world as families, rich and poor alike, now be receiving intensive rehabilitation therapy the well-maintained homes, most of which Harav Yoel Teitelbaum, his wife, Rebbetzin wheels, with regularly held minyanim for save thousands of dollars that were as he recuperated at Shaarei Chemlah. are surrounded by lawns and set apart by Alte Faiga, and the Satmar Rebbe, Harav Shacharis, Minchah and Maariv. A hachnasas previously spent on superfluous luxuries. The older children and bachurim bushes, and the clean streets in both the old Moshe Teitelbaum, zy”a, are interred. sefer Torah for the sifrei Torah used for leining On high, the Rebbe must surely be deriving served by this facility, who occupy an and new developments. Surrounding the Rebbe’s ohel, like a circle on the buses was an unforgettable event. nachas from the fact that his chassidim’s upper floor in the spacious building, We reached Chevron Street, where the of sentries, are the final resting places of The Satmar Rebbe, Harav Yoel Teitelbaum, One might think that commerce in a financial burdens are lightening, thereby greeted us with a genial shalom aleichem. Kiryas Joel Fire Department, known as individuals who were very close to the farhering talmidim in the early days of Kiryas Joel suburban enclave that is dedicated to enabling them a measure of harchavas hadaas One of them told us excitedly that his Matzilei Eish, is located. We met the fire Rebbe, among them his longtime gabbai Reb serving G-d, such as Kiryas Joel, would take while focusing on the spiritual aspects of brother had just become a chassan and chief, Mr. Yehoshua Blumenthal, and some Yossel Ashkenazi, and the devoted roshei a back seat. The huge building housing the their lives. showed us a mazel tov sign he had of the firemen, all of them village residents. kehillah Reb Leibish Lefkowitz and Reb Kiryas Joel Business Center puts that notion Bais Rochel Paradise wedding hall, created. One of us farhered a charming We enjoyed peeking into a fire truck and Sender Deutch. to rest. The center, completed eight months another popular village venue that hosts little boy suffering from injuries he examining its sophisticated equipment. The A palpable aura of holiness enveloped us ago, is a pulsating business hub, with the weddings five nights a week, is located in sustained several years ago during a fire department was established to fill an as we entered the resting place of the holy first floor housing shops and the upper one of the several girls’ school buildings, terrorist suicide attack on a Jerusalem urgent need for a local fire levels filled with offices that provide all of which are beautiful edifices. Kiryas bus in which his mother and younger squad, especially in this rural residents with all types of services and Joel schools put tremendous emphasis on brother were killed. The child displayed setting, where most of the employment opportunities. tznius, modesty, a topic that the Rebbe excellent knowledge of the parashah, and homes are built from wood and found important enough to talk about staff members showed us a special present a grave danger in case The business center From Satmar to Satmar during many of his Kol Nidrei addresses Chumash that facilitates the children’s of a fire. Elderly natives of the town of Satu-Mare, on the holiest night of the Jewish year, Torah learning. All of us enjoyed Hungary, colloquially called “Satmar,” still Yom Kippur. watching other children enjoy a The Eishes Chayil fondly remember the charming look of the On our tour, we passed several yellow swimming session at the indoor pool. Kimpaturin Home town’s young boys, who sported buses, part of the fleet of forty-five that daily As we walked through this The beautifully appointed suspenders, caps, and long curly peyos. They transport a total of 7,000 children to and impressive building, its floors and walls Eishes Chayil Women’s Services also recall the little girls with their trademark from school and cheder. White village buses gleaming with cleanliness, we learned Center welcomes mothers from long braids and long-sleeved dresses. Hitler, provide transportation to residents that the 44,000 square-foot structure cost all over New York State, who ym”sh, in his lunatic brutality annihilated throughout Kiryas Joel. $15 million and that the school district’s come to regain their health and many tens of thousands of Hungary’s annual budget is $25 million. The strength after birth or illness in innocent children. But lest anyone think he Shaarei Chemlah institution serves 250 this luxurious establishment. emerged victorious in his plan to wipe the Kiryas Joel’s municipal children, some full-time and “It’s called a kimpeturin image of Hungarian-Jewish children off the leaders take the slogan “No some part-time, under the home,” says Mr. Szegedin, “but Davening at the tziyun of the Satmar Rebbe, Harav Yoel Teitelbaum, zy”a. face of earth, let them visit Kiryas Joel and child left behind” very combined supervision of the it’s really much more than a facility catering to mothers’ of newborns.” The shopping center watch the thousands of adorable boys and seriously. Just as they had made school superintendent, Mr. founder of Kiryas Joel. We recited Tehillim, lit girls playing on grassy lawns, riding “big sure to provide top-quality Joel Petlin, administrator The Eishes Chayil Center is the most candles, and placed kvittelach on the wheels” down sloping streets, as well as chinuch and general education Joseph Hartman, and Rabbi comprehensive women’s convalescent home impressive tombstone, asking that Hashem learning and davening with enthusiasm — to the community’s children, Yedidya Fisher, who shower in any Jewish community. Its services answer our prayers in the zechus of these the boys in their chedarim under the tutelage they were determined to do no these special neshamos with include pre- and post-natal care, health and tzaddikim. Leaving the ohel, we noticed the of their devoted melamdim and the girls in less for children with special warmth, love and a variety of hygiene courses, and a senior program yeshivah building where hundreds of their schools under the care of their needs. A complex framework was built to services. where elderly women meet each day for bachurim sit and learn Torah — a fulfillment dedicated teachers. When we visited it was accommodate these children, and to provide Rabbi Fisher explained that many of the lunch, Tehillim, lectures, and exercise. On the of the Rebbe’s wish to have a yeshivah right summertime and a large number of the them with an environment of love and children attend special education classes drawing board are plans to add the services near his kever. villages’ children were away in summer warmth where they can blossom to their and receive necessary therapy for only part of a nutritionist who will help women with As we drove out of Kiryas Joel, we were camp. However, the numerous, huge school maximum potential. of the day, and that a transportation system weight control, and a special wing that will filled with admiration, nostalgia, and buildings attest to their presence during the Emotions ran high during our visit to the shuttles them from cheder or school to be reserved for a complete medical center perhaps even a drop of envy of these school year. state-of-the-art building that houses the Shaarei Chemlah, where they receive the dedicated to women’s health needs. We were Yidden, who lead such peaceful lives in this also shown the center’s beautiful idyllic haven. The medical center Our guide next pointed out the new Kiryas Joel school district, known to the extra help they need. multipurpose hall, which is used for the Eckstein Wedding Hall, in which the Satmar locals as Shaarei Chemlah (which means We were very moved when we * * * brissos chasunah takanos, initiated and strongly Gates of Compassion), an institution that witnessed the teachers’ joyous reaction to of newborn clients. Thirty years have elapsed since the The fire department encouraged by Harav Aharon Teitelbaum, serves special-needs children. a seven-year-old child who was singing, Rebbe’s petirah, but his sacred spirit shlita, Satmar Rebbe, have been Though we didn’t photograph any of the “Hamalach Hago’el.” The teachers At the Rebbe’s Kever continues to hover over his followers, and implemented. The total cost of a wedding at children there in order to protect their explained their unusual excitement: this After an uplifting day of observing the the seeds he planted are blossoming this hall amounts to no more than $6,000 for privacy, their images will be forever was the first time in two years that the fulfillment of the Rebbe’s dream shtetl, where exponentially. The shtetl that he founded both sides combined; the price includes a embedded in our memories. One little boy child had opened his mouth to utter a even mundane, day-to-day routines are with the purpose of eternalizing his religious festive catered meal, music, a badchan, and all wore a unique “cage” that protects his body sound. Their “never give up” attitude had marked by an almost-tangible spirituality, principles bears his name and remains a the other amenities that make a simchah from injury when he falls; another was finally paid off. we reached a climactic ending. We ascended glorious tribute to his saintly life. •• 14 Hamodia Magazine August 12, 2009 Hamodia Magazine 22 Av 5769 15