Letters to the editor

Issue of February 5, 2010/ 21 Shvat 5770

Not next to my house

To the Editor:

We have nothing against Hatzalah as an organization (Neighbor’s against Hatzalah garage; Jan. 29, 2010). However, here’s our message to all those who think it’s fine to put their garage in a residential area. We live next door to 752 West Broadway, and we don’t want ambulances speeding out of their driveway in front of our house 24 hours a day, blaring sirens.

There is barely enough parking for the current residents of the surrounding blocks, and the Hatzalah application for variance states that they’ll need 33 parking spots on the street (although the building occupancy is to be 97 people — why only 33 spots?), since their building will not have parking for their “events.”

We could go on and on, but if you still think it’s okay to build an ambulance garage on a residential block, build it next to your house, not ours!

Judy & Richard Nemes

Woodmere

Hatzalah is a good neighbor

To the Editor:

I would like to respond to this past week’s front-page article in The Jewish Star regarding the Hatzalah Garage (Neighbor’s against Hatzalah garage; Jan. 29, 2010).

For approximately the last 10 years I have been a neighbor residing about a half a block from the current Woodmere “garage” (in reality an outdoor driveway) located on a similar-sized street at Cong. Bais Tefilah on Edward Ave.

I am able to report that Hatzalah has been a considerate neighbor, with respect to the manner of operation and upkeep of their current facility.

The vehicles are driven considerately, quietly (no blaring sirens or excessive light usage) and in an appropriate manner. Sadly, other non-emergency drivers have raced down Edward Ave, recklessly, night and day.

As a liaison between Hatzalah and the Edward Ave. shul I have observed, first-hand, that the Hatzalah organization in general and Rabbi Kanner in particular have always been sensitive and immediately responsive to any concerns raised by the shul, which has donated the usage of the current driveway to this worthwhile organization, that benefits the entire community.

I am not a member of Hatzalah but, sadly, both of my recently departed parents were frequent “customers.” I have experienced, first-hand, the benefits Hatzalah represents to the community, as well as to the immediate neighbors who have access to Hatzalah, which outweigh any potential issues.

The concerns expressed may be that the proximity of this new building will affect the safety, aesthetics or property values in the immediate residential area. I have not seen any affect to those of us who currently live near those two ambulances.

All of us are sensitive to preserving the suburban, residential nature of this community. However, it is a purely demographic reality that the need for Hatzalah’s services will only continue to increase as the community grows and continues to age.

The concerns of the immediate neighbors should be recognized and addressed, along with balancing the entire community’s needs as a whole.

Herb Marek

Woodmere

Kudos for the New Jewish Star

To the Editor:

Just wanted to let you know that I LOVE the new look! The best part is the shorter pages — I hated folding the paper every page to read it. Now it’s kitchen-table-ready, and the typeface and color pictures are nice too.

Keep up the great work, the original reporting and fearlessness at reporting things as they are, and good luck with your expansion into other neighborhoods.

Nichie Fendrich

Far Rockaway

Remembering Bubby

To the Editor:

This coming Shabbos, February 6, 2010 — 22 Shvat 5770, is the 60th yahrtzteit of my Bubby Sarah (Dingenthal) Barcham, may she rest in peace. She arrived in New York City around 1900 with Zeide Avraham Zev Barcham. They came from Stanislav, Austrian Galicia. They struggled hard to keep Shabbos & all the other mitzvos. They came with two daughters, Malka and Esther, who strived to emulate her, as did Uncle Hershel. Among their other children were our Zeide Yaakov Dov and Uncle Kiva.

She left dozens of descendents, the majority of whom are observers of Shabbos and mitzvos. We should all try to strengthen our Torah and mitzvah observance on this coming Shabbos.

Reuven Bleich

(a great-grandchild)

Jerusalem