Vaad Hakohol Releases Plans in First Newsletter

Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Newsletter
Serving the Heart of the Chabad Movement
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz –

Dear Members of the Crown Heights Community,
We are delighted to provide you with an update on our progress at the CHJCC and Vaad Hakohol Board after our first month of service. Our commitment to enhancing our community’s welfare and addressing its challenges is steadfast, and we are pleased to share the significant strides we have made thus far:

Community Updates:
Relocating the CHJCC Offices:
We are excited to announce that we are exploring options to relocate the CHJCC offices to a more accessible location to better serve our community. Stay tuned for more details on our new address and opening date.

DOT Announcement:
The Department of Transportation has announced upcoming street changes. The CHJCC has been actively engaged with the DOT, Community Board 9, and local schools to represent the interests of the Jewish community. A special thank you to Yaakov Behrman for his involvement and dedication.
News, Updates & Announcements:
Sign up our email mailing lists and whatsapp broadcast to receive updates and announcements from the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council at https://forms.gle/vZicXxMiERkW9eeH9

Recent Accomplishments:
Rabbonim Compensation:
We are proud to have paid our Rabbonim a full salary this month, ensuring they can continue their vital spiritual leadership without financial stress.

Section 8 Sign-Up Tent:
We set up a tent on Kingston Avenue to assist community members in signing up for Section 8 housing. The initiative was a great success, helping many families secure affordable housing options.

Staff Meetings:
We met with all current staff at the JCC to discuss their roles, responsibilities, and ideas for improving our services. This collaborative effort is key to our success.
Housing Project Committee:
A new committee has been formed to ensure that the housing project in South Crown Heights serves the best interests of our community. Their work will focus on securing affordable and quality housing options for our residents without compromising on safety.

Upcoming Events:
Monday, July 8th, 8pm-9pm
Gimmel Tammuz on the Parkway:
Join us for the Gimmel Tammuz event on the Parkway. On Eastern Parkway between Kingston and Brooklyn. Separate seating for Men and Women. A big thank you to all the organizers and corporate sponsors.

Sunday, July 21st, 10am-5pm
One Crown Heights Event:
We are participating in the One Crown Heights event, a celebration of unity and diversity. For more information, visit One Crown Heights Event. A special thank you to Rabbi Eli Cohen and Arna Lipkind for their dedicated involvement in the planning of this event.

Goals and Initiatives:
Clean Up Kingston Crown Heights:
Our neighborhood is a gem, and we are dedicated to keeping it polished. We are working on solutions to keep our streets clean and beautiful. Look out for upcoming community clean-up days.
Updated Website:
We are revamping our website to bring it into the 2020s. The new site will be more user-friendly and feature updated resources and information.
Political Engagement:
We are increasing voter registration efforts and establishing a Political Action Committee (PAC) to amplify our community’s voice in local and state political arenas. Your participation is crucial.
Enhancing Shul Security:
Ensuring that our shuls have access to essential security infrastructure and services is a top priority. We are working on plans to safeguard our community.
Transforming the CHJCC:
We aim to enhance funding and expand services to cater to all income levels, improve internal and external community representation, and make our council more accessible and user-friendly.
Community Representation in Discussions:
Ensuring that our community is robustly represented in city and state discussions, particularly those impacting our infrastructure and community services, is critical. We will continue to advocate for our needs.
Improving Vaad Hakohol Management & Resources:
We are working on improving the CHK Hechsher and increasing its profitability. Additionally, we are establishing a Kupas Hakohol to cover Hakohol expenses, ensuring economic stability and resource availability.
Economic Stability:
Helping community members find viable jobs is a key focus. We are bringing in city resources and making job training more available to ensure economic stability for our residents.

Current Services:
We are proud of the services already available through the CHJCC, including:
Social services
Educational support
Housing assistance
Emergency financial aid
Job placement
Homeowner programs
For more information on these services, please visit our Kingston Ave. storefront or contact us at 718-771-9000.

A Message to Our Community:
Crown Heights is not just a community; it is the heart of the Chabad movement, a beacon of strength and unity. As we continue this journey together, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life in Crown Heights and ensuring that our community flourishes.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Warm Regards,
The Board of Directors of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC)
Berel Hildeshaim, Chairman – bhildeshaim@chjcc.org
Shmuel Rosenstien, Vice-Chairman – srosenstein@chjcc.org
Meir New, Treasurer – mnew@chjcc.org
Yitzie Kamman, Secretary – ikamman@chjcc.org
Zalman Friedman, Director – zfriedman@chjcc.org
Dovid Halon, Director – dhalon@chjcc.org
We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to us with any comments, ideas or requests.

For more updates and information, follow us on x.com/CrownHeightsJCC and visit our website at CHCentral.org.