Woodmere, NY – Kids of Wonderland Crash Get Another Hanukkah Party, Meanwile Town Fines Owners of Building

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    Police investigate at the wreckage in Chanukah Wonderland, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008 in Woodmere, New York. A car slammed into a building where Orthodox Jewish families were celebrating Hanukkah, injuring 14 people, police said. (AP Photo / Charles Eckert, Newsday)Woodmere, NY – At first, Dan Smith wasn’t sure he wanted to bring his toddler, Judah, to another Hanukkah party.

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    Smith, 31, of Far Rockaway, said he, his wife, and their two children had been at Chabad’s Chanukah Wonderland party in Woodmere Thursday when a BMW sport utility vehicle crashed into the building. The SUV drove over the spot where, seconds before, Smith’s son had stood.

    But Smith and his family decided to venture out to another Hanukkah party today, held just blocks away at the Chabad Center of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst.

    “I definitely think it’s a good idea,” Smith said, as Judah, 2, played happily nearby. “Pick up and carry on – it’s a good idea to host an ending party.”

    The mood was joyous amid the dreidel-making, face-painting and two tables filled with toys reserved for children who had witnessed the accident.

    Children molded chanukiot – nine-branched Hanukkah menorahs – out of clay, while others danced to traditional Hanukkah music performed by live musicians.

    This celebration was a distinctly different experience for Smith, who said he was among the men who had lifted the BMW after it came to a halt inside the Chanukah Wonderland building. Smith said he pulled two men out from under the car, one able to crawl, but the other limp and bloodied. Fourteen adults and children ended up in the hospital.

    Smith remains shaken but said, “You have to be strong for the kids.”

    Today created happy memories to counteract last week’s, said Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, director of the Chabad center. “We decided to hold it so that children should have positive memories of Hanukkah,” he said.

    Police have determined that Thursday’s crash was caused when a floor mat interfered with the gas and brake pedals in Theodore Saretsky’s vehicle. Saretsky, 76, of Atlantic Beach, has not responded to requests for comment.

    Meanwhile, officials at the Town of Hempstead said that the Chanukah Wonderland gathering violated the town’s public assembly law, and that fines could be levied against the owners of the building. Tax records show the owners to be Philip and Norma Baker.

    Ray Schwarz, Hempstead inspections supervisor, said the building is zoned for general retail, not public assembly, and a special permit is required for more than 13 seats associated with dining. More than 100 people were at the party at the time of the crash.

    A notice of violation was posted on the building Friday. A second notice was posted today, requiring the building’s owner to comply with the law.

    Schwarz said the building did not have the required amount of parking to safely accommodate the event. The violation could result in a $350 fine against the Bakers, who could not be located.


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    35 Comments
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    smarts
    smarts
    15 years ago

    So a car crashes in a building and the buiLding get fined
    Hey its new york

    Like getting mugged in the street and then the give u a ticket for jay walking

    What a county

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    sure go ahead and add insult to injury…

    buidling inspector
    buidling inspector
    15 years ago

    we must inforce the law. if less people were there. there would be no tradgedy. the law must be inforced.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I heard that the Bakers had loaned the building to Chabad for free, so it would be awful if they now have to pay for the favor they did.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    More importantly, and apparently the posters are not grasping this, the insurance company will not cover the many claims associated with the injuries because the homeowner was not using the property as permitted by law.

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    Unfortunately, all permits would have done was make the party legal. It would not have changed the outcome.

    T S
    T S
    15 years ago

    I’m sure the $350 fine is a non-issue to either the bldg owner or Chabad, if it needs to be paid.

    But to the poster who wisely pointed out the insurance problem – The car driver is the one whose insurance could/should be billed.

    woodmere guy
    woodmere guy
    15 years ago

    $350… Don’t you think that is a little steep?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    The permit would have been issued, if the application would’ve been submitted and the county would’ve gotten their fee and they would be satisfied.

    The insurance company will not be off the hook in the end. Of course they will try to postpone paying the claim, which is what they always do even in the best cases.

    anon
    anon
    15 years ago

    “Ray Schwarz, Hempstead inspections supervisor, said the building is zoned for general retail, not public assembly, and a special permit is required for more than 13 seats associated with dining.”

    And 14 people were injured.

    “The law of the land is the law”. Unfortunately liability issues are a reality. Surely the owners had only the best of intentions in allowing their property to be used, and feel horrible that this happened. May all those injured merit a refuah shleimah, and have all their medical bills covered on way or another, as well.

    shmiel glassman
    shmiel glassman
    15 years ago

    event permits that are short dont need special parking detail especially when most guests are local
    the permit would not change the aacident
    the insurance would still have to cover

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    there we go. govt works to deflect anything by fining and saying see. what about the gas stations in woodmere hewlett and valley stream all within 3 minutes of the accident scene charging more for gas if you pay by credit card a blatant violation of ny state laws.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Sorry guys, but NY sucks. I’ve never seen properly permitted & zoned restaurants have a barrier in front of their glass storefronts to prevent accidental car crashes. But who knows, maybe Gov. Paterson will add such a law in order to protect us from ourselves…

    robroy560
    robroy560
    15 years ago

    CYA in action… Blame the floor mats for the crash. Blame the owners and Chabad for permits. The Town protects themselves if they get sued by issuing citations. This way the insurance companies may reduce their liability. Unfortuantely, as many people have pointed out, the permits would not haved changed the outcome.

    This was a terrible accident and I hope we learn from it.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    it says that you need the permit for more than 13.. with dining… was that the case at this event?? would a special permit be needed if say they were having a closing sale and the place was mobbed with 75 people???

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    BS”D

    The reason the town did this was to clear itself in case anyone sues the town for problems with the road, or signage, or whatever. This way they are protected. Who is to say that anyone knew a permit was needed? The notices of violation were posted AFTER the crash; they should have been posted the first day of the activity had the town really been concerned.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    it says they did not have permits for more than 13 people seated. I have been to Chabad Chanukah events before, maybe this one was different but usually they are not sit down affairs.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    reply to # 13
    what nonsense, you have the same sedom kup as the new yor officials.
    it was zoned for retail, so 100 people were aloud to stand there, but there were no rights for 13 people to sit there
    go figure how that would of saved them

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    chabad by holding this event without the proper permits put their guests in a makom sakana

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I just spoke to a zoning attorney familiar with Hempstead and there is no need to have a permit – there was no dining it was an exhibit with some games for kids, this is the usual response from the non Jewish or non orthodox of the five towns always claiming that the religious Jews don’t follow the laws. The towns and villages refuse to adapt to a changing community making it hard and expensive for schools shuls or the like. Not to long ago a girls high school was forced to close and sell a building it purchased with hopes of building. Other shuls have gone through expensive variance hearing and other hardships to pacify the few cry babies who feel the community is not “theirs” any more.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    for the record – the 5 towns chabad is well run with great staff and i dont believe they put anyone in danger.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    reply to # 13
    what nonsense, you have the same sedom kup as the new yor officials.
    it was zoned for retail, so 100 people were aloud to stand there, but there were no rights for 13 people to sit there
    go figure how that would of saved them