On August 13, 2024, alternate side parking will be suspended in recognition of the Jewish holiday Tisha B’Av, thanks to legislation passed last year by Council Member Lincoln Restler.
Tisha B’Av, observed on the Hebrew calendar date of 9 AV (July/August in the Gregorian calendar), is a day of communal mourning in the Jewish faith. It commemorates the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem as well as other tragedies. On this day of mourning, it is customary for many members of the Jewish community to fast, pray and avoid work.
“Tisha B’Av is one of the holiest and most mournful days of the Jewish calendar,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “From early in the morning until late at night, observant Jews spend Tisha B’Av at shul. I’m grateful to have helped pass this legislation that will remove the burden of moving cars on such a meaningful day.”
Former Council Member David Greenfield first introduced legislation to suspend alternate side parking on Tisha B’av in 2013.
“Our goal is to make life easier for New Yorkers,” said Councilman Kalman Yeger. “On Tisha B’Av, when so many New Yorkers are occupied with observance and fasting, it’s fair and sensible to suspend alternate parking rules. Recognizing the religious diversity of our city, alternate parking rules are already suspended for more than two dozen holidays of all faiths. Adding Tisha B’Av to this list is common sense, and I was proud to be Councilman Restler’s first co-sponsor on this wise law.”
“Tisha B’Av is one of the most important and meaningful days of the year and this legislation will help ensure that we remain focused on the significance of the day rather than frantically searching for parking,” said Assembly Member Simcha Eichenstein. “Thank you Council Members Lincoln Restler and Kalman Yeger, and all those who helped make this happen.”
“Councilman Lincoln Restler is intensely listening to the concerns of the communities he’s representing, and works tirelessly to address them. Tomorrow, numerous New York City Jewish residents will benefit from his hard work and listening ear, by not having to worry about moving their vehicles or being ticketed while in synagogue for Tisha B’av,” said Rabbi David Niederman, President of the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn. “Thank you Councilman Restler for solving this decade-long problem and for tirelessly working to improve the lives of your constituents.”
“This year as we prepare to commemorate the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by fasting and praying, there will be one less thing to worry about,” said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of New York Government Relations, Agudath Israel of America. “Thanks to this common sense legislation passed last year, Jews observing the day will not have to concern themselves with moving their cars. We thank Council Member Restler for leading this effort.”
“We appreciate the hard work our Honorable Council Member Lincoln Restler is doing on behalf of the entire district, especially his deep caring to accommodate the community with every detail even with the parking regulation on the day of Tisha B’Av,” said Rabbi Moishe Indig, W.J.C.C. “Thank you Lincoln for your commitment and great representation.”
Shkoyach