Borough Park, NY – Jo Lazar Addresses Lack of Affordable Housing In Campaign Kickoff

    45

    Jo Lazar is a NYC Council Candidate on the seat that will be vacated by Simcha Felder due to term limitsBorough Park, NY – At a packed fundraiser at the home of Yankel Hass in Boro Park, Hasidim from all sects showed their support of Joe Lazar. The fundraiser which had over 150 attending throughout the evening addressed one of the most important issues facing the Boro Park Jewish Community: lack of affordable housing.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    “Our community rests on how we get housing for our young families,” Chaim Israel, a prominent community activist said. Israel spoke of his long history working with Joe Lazar and how time and time again, Joe Lazar proved invaluable getting housing for the Boro Park community and how no bureaucratic red-tape could stop Joe Lazar from serving his community.

    He mentioned the buildings on 15th Avenue (15th Avenue Gardens), once abandoned drug-infested houses, which thanks to Joe Lazar were demolished and rebuilt, and have housed thousands of Boro Park residents.

    Assemblyman Dov Hikind also spoke of his history with Joe and how Joe delivered millions of dollars to local Boro Park organizations to help kids-at-risk.

    Yankel Haas introduced Joe. “It is Joe Lazar that will understand how to provide enough housing and how to stop the entire housing shortage in our neighborhood,” he said. Finally, between bouts of applause, Joe Lazar spoke.

    He switched easily between fluent Yiddish and English, and discussed his relationship with both late Satmar Rebbes, and why he’s running for the city council seat.

    “I’ve been serving this community for 40 years. I know what you have to know to get government to work. I’ll do whatever it takes to meet the needs of our community.” Lazar said, “And some things that can’t be done, we’ll get done as well. ‘Can’t’ is not in my dictionary”.
    People listen as Jo Addresses the crowed at the home in Borough Park of  Jacob Hass
    A brief question and answer period followed the speeches. One community residents asked about council members developing projects against the decisions of community boards. Joe Lazar responded that the community needs a stronger voice in affecting decisions and one that it will have when he wins the City Council election. “I was appointed to Community Board # 12 in 1972 and we had a say in the planning process. That process has been diluted, and I will restore community participation in the planning process”, Lazar said to resounding applause.

    “The community knows what it needs,” Joe Lazar said. Benny Stern, a local resident cited this as one of the reason he’s voting for Joe Lazar, “He will fight to give the power to the community.”

    Alexander Rapaport said: “The reason why everyone likes Joe is, they see him as one of their own. Everyone who was introduced to Joe said, ‘er iz a heimishe yid!’”


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    45 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    We Want Joe
    We Want Joe
    15 years ago

    Joe – we need more of your type in government.

    Yours is the experienced type of leadership we need.

    As the old saying in all the community organizations you’ve helped goes:

    Call Joe…

    He’ll bring in the Dough

    But why is there a campaign kickoff? Who in the community can actually successfully run against Joe?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Not just Boro Park. My crowd in Flatbush are all supporting Joe.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    He mentioned the buildings on 15th Avenue (15th Avenue Gardens), once abandoned drug-infested houses, which thanks to Joe Lazar were demolished and rebuilt, and have housed thousands of Boro Park residents.

    *****************************

    “thousands” ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    SomethingNiceInBoroughPark
    SomethingNiceInBoroughPark
    15 years ago

    Go Joe Go! It is very refreshing to have a real hemishe yid, a mensch who is running for the BP seat.

    HATZLUCHE RABBA

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    yes if you dont know, SEBCO has an office on 18th Ave. for several dacades, where THOUSANDS of people have been placed in apartments and housing.

    VIN Junky
    VIN Junky
    15 years ago

    Finally someone looking to return the power of the people!!! Lets find more politicians that are looking to represent our community’s beliefs as opposed to telling us what our beliefs should be.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Guys stop being Lemmings, pull that mask off your eyes. I dont know Joe but will vote for hime, but what housing project was built in BP for the last 15 years? Yidden are live in nooks paying $2100 and all the politicians claim they they helped with the hosing crisis. Show me where, my kids are sleeping two in a Bed.

    I dont have a solution, but stop fardrien a kup. Last night was a good lesson for politicans that we are smarter than that.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    SEBCO????????

    Who lives in SEBCO houses? Their own children, ask rabbi weinberger. What did we in boro park have from SEBCO?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Hey the guy on the right side of the picture works for sebco

    Cheskel
    Cheskel
    15 years ago

    Oh DOV HIKIND trying to keep his power in Boro Park. Simcha Felder didn’t listen to him to much and Dov was scared that he won’t be the king anymore so now he took revenge and endorsed Parker.

    I remember the 2001 election when everyone was screaming that Felder is a Hikind poupet nu IY”H we will have Joe, a Hikind poupet, that will be very busy in saving Israel.

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    Could someone show me where Joe is planning to build any type of housing? I’m looking for vacant lots in Boro Park that I will be able to build.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Unless I am missing something, I understand that Lazar will try to change the zoning on certain commercial areas like 13th or 16th Ave. so builders will be able to built hi rise building, now get this: WITH the consent of the neighbors!

    This sound actually interesting and doable. Since Felder was able to pick a single lot on Dahill Rd. and increase the zoning despite a strong opposition of the neighborhood, I think if we elect Joe Lazar he definitely would be able to do the same for all of us.

    AMG
    AMG
    15 years ago

    The community must get together and move to new areas like they did in Israel they build elad near Petach tikva beit shemesh betar and other new areas in america the problem was discused and nothing serious was ever done to give the community not just a few lucky individuals acces to affordable housing

    Sadtheist
    Sadtheist
    15 years ago

    About time we got someone in that seat who cares about the community and not the pigeons!

    anonymos
    anonymos
    15 years ago

    I know Joe Lazar not personally but he’s helped every moisad with the beuracracy chasidish, litvish& sephardic but they don’t have to promise housing cause there is nothing they can really do. But the idea of upzoning 16 & 13 ave sounds pretty good to me but pls underground parking for every apt.

    esti47
    esti47
    15 years ago

    If there is enough low income housing, tell me about it, whoever i talk to say they cant find an apartment for rent under 2000 dollars. Also we need more affordable housing in Willy.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    15 avenue Housing was built over 20 years ago, and was built the cheapest way possible, living there and having to paint my windowsills every years because after every rain the paint bubbles up, The houses where never built properly, The Agudah hasn’t donr much since they finished those buildings, All I know is that they have an office and many sitting on nice wages.

    All these organizations know how to take money from individuals and from government which is tax payers money too.

    Cheskel
    Cheskel
    15 years ago

    Upzoning 13 Avenue? Not enough traffic in that area?

    Wonder what the guys on Dahill Rd think? are they for it? are they going to protest the same way they did when zoning change took place by them? Oh forgot we only think of our selfs, Not In My Backyard.

    favish
    favish
    15 years ago

    One community residents asked about council members developing projects against the decisions of community boards. Joe Lazar responded that the community needs a stronger voice in affecting decisions and one that it will have when he wins the City Council election. “I was appointed to Community Board # 12 in 1972 and we had a say in the planning process. That process has been diluted, and I will restore community participation in the planning process”, Lazar said to resounding applause.

    *****************************

    I will always remember what you said Joe, AFFORDABLE HOUSING and you will “restore community participation”. I don’t see how you could do this 2 together. It didn’t work at Dahill RD so it won’t work anywhere in Boro Park.

    Remember JOE a promise is a promise. I vote and will hold this against you as long as you serve.

    Prediction: This will never happen – AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

    How I know: Where was this fundraiser held? The event was held at the home of Raizy Haas, the senior vice president for Project Management & Development at Extell Development Company, which touts on its Web site that its main goal in the residential market is “to help make your vision of luxury living come to life.”

    How does this go with Affordable Housing?

    Boro Parker
    Boro Parker
    15 years ago

    I have the picture now, Boro Park is going to be screwed again, by developers and SEBCO.

    “I will restore community participation”

    Wait and see: He never said it, He was missunderstood.

    Is there a REAL Heimeshe guy, that lives in BORO PARK, WORKS IN BORO PARK that could please stand up to the plate and run for this seat? Enough with all these outsiders coming to run our life.

    RebYoel
    RebYoel
    15 years ago

    What a chutzpah! This guy has a “fundraiser” to discuss affordable housing?!? Maybe Bikur Cholim should start charging people for hospital visits.

    A shanda!

    thruth sayer
    thruth sayer
    15 years ago

    favish Says: RebYoel Says:

    WOW!!! David, welcome back, I guess you were too busy licking your wounds and tilting at windmills this morning for a Joe bashing session. Do you really believe our community stupid enough to believe that you can take legal action against Im not sure who to allow people to vote for representation outside of their EDs? Besides, I thought you had to be member of the bar to call yourself an attorney – not that that really matters.

    Onto more important matters… Dahill Project… a project that was unanimously voted down by CB 12… a project that took no consideration for the community’s needs… a project that swindled its way into our community w/ traffic studies at phony hours & invisible fire safety studies … a project that is completely surrounded by commercial and residential properties creating crazy bottlenecking & safety hazards… So Jacob Haas has the nerve to stand up against the project and his seat on the community board is conveniently taken away & given to David Greenfield. Oh don’t tempt me or I’ll keep going. This project is a disaster – its not creating affordable housing, its creating trust funds for some lucky children!

    Since you don’t seem to understand where affordable housing can come from, let me educate you a little just in case by some tragedy you make it to the council. The state released 10,000 units of housing to the city this year, additionally HUD puts hundreds of millions of dollars annually out every year to pay for housing, Have you seen it? Neither have I. Stupid statutes in the city law completely restrict these funds from reaching our community. Bloomy’s 5,10,15,20-year plan to rid the city of chronic homeless (which has not worked a lick) put certain requirements on the funds that completely disqualifies us from applying for them. If we could shake some of this money loose, our community would be much much better for it.

    One man should not be able to affect these kinds of decisions. If the community says no (unanimously) the project doesn’t happen. This property could have been made fiscally viable w/o throwing hugh profits – and then the community would have accepted it. Changing the nature of a property to throw crazy profits to developers cannot be done at the expense of a community.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I am so happy to see someone Real running for office. Joe lazar is not a politician. he truly likes to help people, as many as possible as much as possible. He has helped me in the past receiving NOTHING in return. He is a baal chessed.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    What type of crap is being published here. The blogs aint deciding the election gentlemen.

    All you geniuses know Agudas’great work.

    Just because you are a luxury developer in Manhattan doesn’t mean you don’t want affordable housing in BP.

    One thing your campaign cant falsify. Joe is a mensch, a greta honest guy with a stellar reputation in goverbment, unlike some power hungry kiss $%#$ shnook who thinks he;s G-D and is cauding Klal yisroel a big chillu HASHEM. Davey my boy, the truth shall set you free.

    Nice try guys!

    favish
    favish
    15 years ago

    Mr. Truth Sayer, I don’t know who you are But my name is not David Greenfield.

    I live next to the Dahill Project and I was against it. I’m against upzoning 13 & 16 Avenue area for the same reason, so if Joe says that he will bring AFFORDABLE HOUSING and listen to what we in the community have to say, aint going to work.

    Another thing with your affordable housing, geuss what if a project gets approved by the Goverment for AFFORDABLE HOUSING how can you make sure that other elements won’t get to purchase those units?

    One thing I agreed with the Dahill Project that there was no AFFORDABLE HOUSING so no undesired elements get to purchase the appartments.

    Again I don’t know who you are but I was at CB12 hgearing regarding the Dahill Project, there was no unanimous vote by the board to disapprove the project. If I remember correctly the no vote won by 2 votes and there are 51 members on the board.

    Again who ever you are don’t make up stories.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    sounds great (sic.) But is it affordable when the price of an apartment is >$500,000 or mantenance is almost $1,000. What about parking? as it is in most of Boro Park you have to the luck of the Irish to find a parking space. Get rid of illegal driveways. Get busses off the streets at night. Make the developers make parking w/o taking away on street parking, in some of the new houses in Boro park the builder knocks down 2 or more houses – 20-60 feet and makes the entire front of the house a driveway. Disgusting.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I wonder why people are so bitter here. No one lost, not even Felder. And definitely not the community either. The same senator the represented Borough Park for the last few years, will continue to do the same. I don’t get the histeria campaighn. Life is good, and will be better. Cheer up every one. Let’s try not to attack any individuals by name please. Private people should not be dragged in to this stuff. In a few months Felder will be a private citizen, and people will love him all over again. Elul is here, Rosh Hashana is around the corner, we may all regret it!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Lazar’s opponent comes across to aggressive. I wish he would mellow down, and put a smile on his nice face. I believe he will make it one day, but he may not be ripe yet. The fact that he dosn’t speak yiddish does not necessarily disqualify him.

    King David
    King David
    15 years ago

    “Assemblyman Dov Hikind also spoke of his history with Joe and how Joe delivered millions of dollars to local Boro Park organizations to help kids-at-risk.”

    HA-HA!!! No one in Boro Park knows who Joe Lazar is..not to many people heard his name before, I have asked some principals of well known organizationsthe and mosdes that Dov Hikind had said that Mr. Lazar brought “Millions of dollars”, WOW only Dov knows;-) (I just wonder why they all complain there is no money if Felder and Lazar brought so many millions for the Mosdes?:-)

    Dov Hikind!! its Time to GO!!!

    What is your record for Boro Park? you picked Simcha Felder lest time as your candidate, so Boro Park knows how effective your candidates are. we are really sick and tired of the same old crap.

    ITS TIME FOR CHANGE!!!! HIKIND MUST GO!!!

    Mr. Lazar could be and he is a real nice guy (some one told me in the name of the Boro Park Biker Cholim that he helped some people with Medicaid) but he is to old, we need some young and fresh blood! that is only Reb DAVID GREENFIELD a reformer and has the experience, he worked for Joe Lieberman and for some other elected officials city and state level including Dov Hikind. He is a big Talmud Cucham and very beloved in Flatbush, Boro Park and even by none Jews. a real yeshiva boy and Hamish guy.

    He has the real endorsements of Rabbonim Askonim of BP and Flatbush with no political motive like Mr…. Hikind.

    Remember!!! GO GREEN!!!

    Moshe
    Moshe
    15 years ago

    You so dam right King David i heard that Mr. Greenfield has loads of money and BIG TIME backers.

    EnoughSaid
    EnoughSaid
    15 years ago

    Gentlemen,

    These blogs speak volumes about the state of affairs in our community bein odom l’chaveiro.

    Greenfield – Lazar who cares?!

    This guy’s a talmid chochom, and this guy says BORUCH HASHEM alot, this guy is Sephardi, and this guy is Ashkenaz, and this guy develops luxury apartments and this guy is for tax credist, this guy is a lawyer, and this guy is in bed with the catholic preists…………………… this crap goes on and on and on. The people of BP are sick of all the shmutz!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get a life everyone.

    Anti King David
    Anti King David
    15 years ago

    OK Simcha doesn’t help your campaign any longer so you’re cutting him loose. Let me tell you something you arrogant sob!!! Say what you want about simcha & dov, but deep down they are very good people who’s heart lies in boro park. I’m not about to jump on the david bandwagon, he’s an opportunist and a fraud. David’s ENTIRE election is being financed with Sephardic dollars and you’re going to tell me he’s one of ours. I’m not sure who this joe lazar is but from what I’m seeing here it doesn’t look like a Sephardi takeover of boro park.

    Jo Lazar you have my vote

    jack
    jack
    15 years ago

    faivash says he was at the CB12 vote regarding Dahill if u were there than u saw that there was not a SINGLE vote in favor it was the first time in history that CB12 unianomosly rejected the project. every member that was present voted against it cause the enviormental studies were flawd the fire saftey issue was not resolved traffic study flawd

    BP
    BP
    15 years ago

    Both candidates seem eirlich but why are we putting so much money and effort into a frum seat. My vote will go to the candidate that wastes the least amount of Jewish money.

    go joe go
    go joe go
    15 years ago

    BP u r rite I think we should petition Simcha to get greenfeld to drop out. Joe is a honest guy & did in the past what Greenfield will never be able to accomplish. But kmowing Simcha he will never back off so we will have to go through a tough primary with so much yiddish money go down the drain which can rather b used 4 tzedakah so all the mosdos won’t waste OUR money through earmarks

    A friend
    A friend
    15 years ago

    TO King David   2:27AM

    How well do you know this David Fella? I am assuming not to well. Unless you are David and are writing this….

    You say he is a reformer, What has he ever done?

    You say he has endorsements, please just list one ashkenaz Rabbi (I know he has sefardik “asakanim” backers) and let us see who

    Until this it was David who? and after the election it will remain the same………

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    If this is something that can really be accomplished I’m with you joe. I’ve lived in boro park all my life and own a home on 14th avenue 54th street. I bought my house 25 years ago for $150k and it is now worth well over a million. I make a decent living but there is no way I can afford to buy my four children homes anywhere in boro park. The rent here is very high and my kids have been forced to live in marine park. they always wanted to live where they grew up, they feel like they just dont fit in where they are now. I’m glad to see that someone is recognizing this problem even if you cant truly tackle it. I would like to see a clear plan toward taking care of the problem but the first step is at least addressing it. thank you Mr. Lazar

    Chiam
    Chiam
    15 years ago

    Mr. Hass wife works for Hikind.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    So move out of Brooklyn.

    I did and I am extremely happy.

    Ben
    Ben
    15 years ago

    David Greenfield, the Executive Vice President of the Brooklyn-based Sephardic Community Federation, was honored recently by the Public Advocate for the City of New York, Betsy Gotbaum. Greenfield was presented with a formal proclamation from the Public Advocate declaring him an “Extraordinary Citizen” for his continuing work on behalf of New Yorkers, specifically, his success as a driving force behind the $600 million tax credits for school-age children that provide perpetual tax relief to millions of parents throughout New York.

    **The ads displayed by Google are in no way associated with Image and are only generated by a word association with the article’s contents.The award comes on the heels of several other awards that Greenfield has received for his work on behalf of the community and particularly for his achievement in promoting education issues in New York. He has received awards from Assemblyman Dov Hikind and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz for his extensive work advocating on behalf of yeshivah parents.

    He has been one of New York City’s most outspoken education activists for many years. He became aware of the financial challenges that parents of school-age children face, as well as the issues that are hindering the ability of children to receive the education that is appropriate for them, at an early stage of his career.

    His strong commitment, reflected in his political activity, activism and leadership, has strengthened the ongoing struggle for increased government funding for not only yeshivahs but for yeshivah parents, as well. In proclaiming him an “Extraordinary Citizen,” Public Advocate Gotbaum recognized Greenfield as one of a select group of individuals, who have created a greater awareness and understanding about the needs of yeshivahs, students and their parents.

    He is widely regarded as one of New York’s preeminent authorities on education policy, and is recognized as a leading advocate on behalf of school children. He was a founding board member of TEACH-NYS, a statewide education advocacy organization that has successfully secured tens of millions of dollars in new funding for yeshivahs, including historic funding for new computers. Greenfield is also an active member of the New York City Department of Education Non-Public School Standing Committee. The committee, which is comprised of leaders from the non-public school community, who are experts in the field of education, serves as the liaison between New York government and the non-public school community. As a member of the committee, he plays a critical role in addressing important issues affecting New York’s children who attend non-public schools and advocating on their behalf.

    He recently launched his much-anticipated campaign to succeed Councilman Simcha Felder in New York’s 44th Council District, with Felder’s enthusiastic endorsement and the support of a diverse coalition of respected community leaders.

    Greenfield has already made history by being the first candidate for New York City Council in 2009 to raise all of his campaign funds, thereby freeing him to continue his full-time work on behalf of the community.

    Zevy
    Zevy
    15 years ago

    I remember when he kicked off his campaign he had the backing of Bobov Reb Hershy Dembeitzer Satmar BP and Rabbi Neederman of UJO, Belz Rebbi Eagal, Shomrim Reb Yankey Daskal and other askinim..

    Abe911
    Abe911
    15 years ago

    Zevy, Mr. Greenfield also have the endorsements of the askonim and billionaires of Boro Park like Libel Rubin, Ziggy Brach, Aaron Noe and Yossi Reader they are all Ashkenazim

    Yossef Hatzadik
    Yossef Hatzadik
    15 years ago

    Ben Says: bla bla bla

    Wow seen here first. I can’t believe he’s leaking this here. Has it gotten so bad that the only place he can get picked up is on the comments section of a blog. David Greenfield is a tool that politician’s use to extort money from the sphardic community. I’m not sure who is anticipating this, but w/o any community support he’s going to lose by way more than 12 points. Ben my boy, tell David to tuck his tail between his legs and admit defeat or he will lose by such a landslide that it will make vesuvius look like a drizzle.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I KNOW PERSONAL JOE LAZER AND MR GREENFELD AND THEY ARE BOTHE GREAT AND NICE PEPOLE BUT I THING DAVID GREENFELED IS REAL YOUNG GENARIC GUY AND WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN I AM WHISING DAVIDD GREENFELS A LOT OF HATLOCHE I KNOW THE HE HELPED THE SCHOOL A WHILE AGO WITH THE UPK PROGARM AND HE WILL MAKE BROOKLY A BETTER PLACE TO BE IN

    Me Too
    Me Too
    15 years ago

    I KNOW PERSONAL JOE LAZER AND MR GREENFELD AND THEY ARE BOTHE GREAT AND NICE PEPOLE BUT I THING JOE LAZAR IS REAL EXPERIENCED GUY AND WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN I AM WHISING JOE LAZAR A LOT OF HATLOCHE I KNOW THE HE CONTINUES TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY IN EVERY ASPECT OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND GENERALLY ADVOCATING ON OUR BEHALF AND HE WILL MAKE BROOKLY A BETTER PLACE TO BE IN 🙂