L’Shanah Tovah tikatev v’taihatem! A sweet and happy new year to our Bronx Jewish friends and family!
Rosh Hashanah is considered to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve by God according to the Jewish religion.
Today at sundown, local time, millions of Jews around the world will be celebrating their new year.
There was a point in time in Bronx history when there were more synagogues than you could shake a stick at in our borough when the population was majority Jewish. So Jewish that in fact that our borough once had the highest number of Jews in the five boroughs of New York City.
As the decades rolled by, many migrated to the suburbs as they moved up the socioeconomic ladder or escaped the escalating burning of the South Bronx where many once lived.
So in honor of the High Holy Days which are upon us, we’d thought to share some links around the Web on the Jewish history of The Bronx.
Angle Luis Juarbe, Jr a Bronxite and firefighter who lost his life on 9/11 is immortalized not just in the hearts of his loved ones but in a South Bronx schoolyard mural by Tats Cru
On a day like today we should stop the xenophobia that is plaguing our communities and country and love each other. Today is a day for love, not hatred and if you sow hatred in your hearts for those different than you then let today be the day you yank those weeds and replace it with seeds of love for your fellow humans. Do it for those no longer with us.
We can never forget that morning, that day 14 years ago. It was a picture perfect day, warm and not a cloud in the sky.
It was a day we lost 156 Bronx residents and thousands more in our city not counting the tragic losses in Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon.
To date, the casualties from 9/11 continue to increase as the number of 1st responders and people who lived or worked in the area continue to die as a result of cancer from all that toxic dust.
The Bronx’s casualty number is now at 157 as Bronxite Leon Heyward passed away from exposure to the toxic cloud of dust in 2008 becoming the 2,752nd casualties that day (that number now is 2,753).
“Leon Heyward emerged from the subway just as the second plane struck, piercing the south tower. As others fled, he helped evacuate disabled employees from 42 Broadway, where he worked for the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs, and when the first tower fell, he was caught in the churning plume of contaminated dust and smoke.
Within months he started to feel sick. A father of two who prided himself on being fit, Mr. Heyward found himself overcome with fatigue. He had seizures; his memory slipped. Once, while working undercover as an inspector, he forgot where he was.
“It was hard seeing him go from being strong and muscular and running around to watching him sit there,” said his ex-wife, Monique Heyward.
Last October, after developing lymphoma, Mr. Heyward died at age 45 in the Bronx, where he was born and had formed one of the earliest rap groups. He became, officially, the latest casualty of the Sept. 11 terror attack, and just after 10 on a gusty, dreary Friday morning, the name Leon Bernard Heyward was read for the first time at ground zero as the nation paused again to remember its losses.”
The numbers are expected to grow and so will the casualties keeping the wounds of this terrible day alive.
Our hearts are with everyone today whether we lost someone directly, or indirectly or are suffering from mental health issues, medical conditions as a direct result from 9/11.
This is a wonderful opportunity to check out The Bronx’s filmmaking talent, an often overlooked segment of the artistic circle of our borough.
Plus you get to see films shot exclusively or mostly in our borough!
The Q&A portion will be moderated by myself and WelcomeToTheBronx couldn’t be happier in doing so to help promote these creative minds.
From The Bronx Filmmakers:
About the films:
“The People Watchers” by TBxF member Zef Çota (Alphabet City-Films)
Things aren’t quite what they seem when two teenagers make observations of people walking down the street from a stoop in New York City.
“Write With Me…” by TBxF founder Hannah Leshaw (Hannah Leshaw, Filmmaker)
A woman longs for a songwriting partner but, terrified of the vulnerability inherent in the act of creating, retreats into the safety of her mind.
“Isa: A Brief Portrait” by TBxF member Álvaro Franco (Above The Noise)
A queer woman of color commutes to school while trying to conceal the fact that she is homeless.
“Blindsided” by TBxF member Mark Cabaroy
When fate traps a blind psychic and a dangerous career criminal in the same hotel room they match wits to see which one of them will get out alive.
“With This Kiss” by TBxF member Harri “Indio” Ramkishun (GuyaRican Productions) was the Director of Photography, the Editor and co-Producer.
Guilt is the devil that remains when a couples’ relationship comes to an end.
“The Velvet Devil” by TBxF member Estefania Chavez
Based on a true story, the film follows the quick journey of a girl who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
The Bronx Documentary Center is located at 614 Courtlandt Avenue at E 151st Street and is easily accessible by public transportation including the 2&5 trains at 3rd Ave and 149th Street.
Barely a year since we reported properties on either side of the Third Avenue Bridge approach were purchased for obscene and speculative amounts, three of the lots have had recent plans filed for three 25 story residential towers which, if approved, will bring what appears to be 1,661 market rate units to the area.
101 Lincoln Avenue, just across from The Clocktower and purchased for $32 million last November, is planned to be a massive mixed ground floor commercial 784,176 square foot 25 story tower with 826 residential units while across the Third Avenue Bridge ramp is 2401 Third Avenue which sold for $26 million this past January is also planned to house 370 residential units in 25 story 344,736 mixed-use commercial building.
These two developments are spearheaded by The Chetrit Group and Somerset Partners who have teamed up to develop the Harlem River Waterfront in The South Bronx.
Meanwhile on the same block as 2401 Third is 198 E 135th street (which fronts the Major Deegan Expressway and sold for $15,470,000 in May) and 465 residential units with ground floor commercial space will be built in a 352,543 square foot 25 story building as well with Cheskel Schwimmer as the developer.
Upon looking at the NYC Department of Building applications for the 3 developments, we noticed one error on all 3: All properties are located on Tidal Wetlands yet all 3 applications checked off that the site was not located on Tidal Wetlands.
Filing in error? 198 E 135th declares that the site isn’t on Tidal Wetlands yet Department of Building records indicate otherwise. The same goes for the other 2 filings.(click to enlarge)
If all of this is approved as is, it will forever change the landscape of The South Bronx in an area dominated by NYCHA developments and where 61% of the population receives some sort of public assistance. These buildings will be constructed within the Special Harlem River Waterfront District thus further creating a tale of two cities since the area is separated from the rest of the population by the Major Deegan Expressway.
Port Morris and Mott Haven is in dire need of better schools, health care, and cleaner air but we’re focusing on housing for a community that doesn’t exist yet while the existing community continues to suffer.
4 out of 5 major sales have occurred on just one block in Port Morris. / Map Via PropertyShark
Welcome2TheBronx is conducting research on individuals who have been infected with Legionnaires’ during New York City’s largest outbreak in history in the South Bronx which has claimed 13 lives and hundreds infected.
Please email us a info@welcome2thebronx.com or call 917.532.7504. All information will be kept strictly confidential and you will not be identified if you choose not to.
Since the beginning of New York City’s largest Legionnaires’ outbreak in history which infected hundreds and killed 13 individuals in The South Bronx (including a teacher who worked in the area who passed away in April), Welcome2TheBronx has been insisting that the city tests our drinking water supply systems since study after study and the EPA and CDC clearly indicate that the majority of cases originate within such systems.
Now, two weeks after the outbreak was declared by Department of Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett as contained, the drinking water supply systems at one NYCHA building at Melrose Houses at 681 Courtlandt Avenue has tested positive for Legionella where 4 people have become ill including one before the “official” outbreak.
We have been reporting the scientific facts about this deadly yet curable disease since the beginning. Facts and data found on the EPA, CDC, OSHA, websites.
How is it possible that the drinking water supply systems can be declared safe yet they hadn’t been tested—until now?
Now we have a building who’s drinking water supply systems have tested positive for Legionella, where people were sickened and the city continues to tell people that there’s nothing wrong?
Yummy Morris Perk Special Blend which will be sold at the new XM Café at The Bronx Museum
Not only is the long anticipated Bronx Museum café (XM Café, which will feature coffee from Bronx based Morris Perk and keeping things local!) opening next Wednesday, September 9th but the Museum is also extending their hours and open on Wednesdays again after many years of being open only 4 days a week.
A local café is something many in the area have been clamoring for and XM Café delivers not only as a home grown café by a Bronx-based cultural institution, but will be supporting two mom and pop shops in our borough.
Morris Perk, the popular café which is currently popping up all over our borough until it opens its brick and mortar location, gets their special blend of coffee right here in The Bronx from Cerini in the heart of Arthur Avenue aka the REAL Little Italy of NYC.
This is a beautiful synergy of 3 Bronx institutions collaborating together to offer a unique experience that a chain can’t offer.
XM Café will also have sandwiches, salads and pastries to go along with that great Morris Perk Bronx Blend many have grown to like and will be operated by Fountain House, “…who will engage locally sourced vendors and hire local Bronx residents through their nationally recognized employment program.”
Fountain House, an organization founded right here in New York City back in 1948 and was created with the belief that people living with mental illness, “can be active participants in their own and each other’s recovery…” has helped many such Bronxites.
“Fountain House has touched my family’s life in a deeply personal and powerful way. When my brother was diagnosed with a mental illness five years ago, my family’s world was turned upside down. My mother and I did not know where to turn for help in understanding the unique challenges my brother would now be facing.” said Samelys Lopez, an active Bronx community resident.
Lopez continued about her family’s and brother’s personal journey with Fountain House:
“At Fountain House, my brother is part of a nurturing community that I credit with giving him a newfound sense of confidence, belonging, and hope for his future. My brother says that Fountain House has become his home away from home.
“What I love most about Fountain House is that they make members feel valued because they are called on to help run the clubhouse with everything ranging from crafting newsletters, cooking nutritious meals, and organizing holiday events for members in addition to their families.
Fountain House not only cares about their members, they also care about the families of individuals recovering from mental illness to make sure they have a support network to give their loved ones the courage to share their stories to combat stigma.”
“I believe the arts are a great way of breaking down barriers so that people can speak more openly about the importance of community mental health so I am thrilled that the Bronx Museum of the Arts and Fountain House are partnering on XM Café!
If you or a loved one is recovering from mental illness, please consider enrolling in Fountain House – it has made a difference not only for my brother, but for our family as well.”
So you see, this is not your run of the mill café but one with a big heart in our community.
As if the news of the café opening couldn’t get any better, The Bronx Museum of the Arts will now be open on Wednesdays extending their days and hours of operation due to community response.
The new museum hours along with café hours are as follows:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11AM to 6PM and on Fridays from 11AM until 8PM.
The Bronx Museum, along with XM Café will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The museum is located at 1040 Grand Concourse and hope to see you all there!
Oh and did we mention that The Bronx Museum said:
“In celebration of the café opening the Bronx Museum will offer the first 50 guests a free small coffee, cappuccino or espresso on Wednesday September 9, Thursday September 10 and Friday September 11.”
Who’s needs Starbucks when you have such a great local space!
Bronx educators are bringing in meditation into the classroom to help with kids’ emotions and even help improve their attention. Check out what they’re doing to help our youth succeed.
An article in The Atlantic says:
A five-minute walk from the rickety, raised track that carries the 5 train through the Bronx, the English teacher Argos Gonzalez balanced a rounded metal bowl on an outstretched palm. His class—a mix of black and Hispanic students in their late teens, most of whom live in one of the poorest districts in New York City—by now were used to the sight of this unusual object: a Tibetan meditation bell.“Today we’re going to talk about mindfulness of emotion,” Gonzalez said with a hint of a Venezuelan accent. “You guys remember what mindfulness is?” Met with quiet stares, Gonzalez gestured to one of the posters pasted at the back of the classroom, where the students a few weeks earlier had brainstormed terms describing the meaning of “mindfulness.” There were some tentative mumblings: “being focused,” “being aware of our surroundings.”Gonzalez nodded. “Right. But it’s also being aware of our feelings, our emotions, and how they impact us.”
The article goes on to say:
Jon Kabat-Zinn, the biologist who first coined the term “mindfulness” in the ’70s, defines it as a state of mind: the act of “paying attention on purpose” to the present moment, with a “non-judgmental” attitude. But mindfulness is really a secular philosophy and set of techniques adapted from thousands-of-years-old Buddhist meditation traditions—ones that only recently landed in mainstream Western consciousness. It was Kabat-Zinn who first formally brought mindfulness into a medical setting; he developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, which used specific exercises to help patients dealing with chronic pain and is now widely applied in other therapeutic contexts, and founded the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School.
3 years ago, several budding filmmakers from The Bronx decided that it was time to form a group for Bronxites where they could talk shop as well as support each other however best they could.
They reached out to The Bronx Documentary Center and ever since them they have been meeting at the space for 3 years.
Although originally not conceived as part of their anniversary event, on Thursday September 10th from 7pm to 9pm you definitely don’t want to miss their second part of the celebration as they will hold a 6 indie short film screening and panel discussion—films all made in or mostly in The Bronx, about The Bronx, and by Bronx filmmakers. This event will also be held at The Bronx Documentary Center.
We already know that our borough is full of creative talent from all disciplines and yet the filmmakers of our borough rarely got a y of the spotlight or a collective so that’s where Hannah Leshaw, founder of the group and an award-winning and Bronx-based filmmaker decided it was time to get this folks together.
After 3 years, founder Leshaw says that since their first year, the biggest difference today is that, “we’ve finally fine-tuned our structure. In the beginning we had an open membership and now we have membership requirements some of them being that you must be living in The Bronx, having completed at least one project and to commit to continue on working on projects.”
This has led to “…being able to show a rough cut of a film and have an intelligent conversation about the film making process where we can all talk about different aspects where everyone has a particular strength or interest.” added Leshaw.
Harri “Indio” Ramkishun, one of the first members and lead members who helps with the organization says that “We’re trying to use each other in a way that would benefit everyone, your expertise, your skills, constructive criticisms.”
“It’s interesting I will say, is how we all have this invested interest in how The Bronx is portrayed and I don’t know that that’s true for other collectives in the city and I don’t feel that they’re as consciously connected to this physical space but we’re very aware of that all the time.” Hannah Leshaw told us.
Harri added, “You know we have the constant generalizations of, we’re in the poorest congressional district in America, The Bronx is burning, decades later we still have that stigma and always felt that we’re the underdog.”
The duo also talks about how they wouldn’t be here if they didn’t have the incredible support of The Bronx Documentary Center and Mike Kamber who agreed to let the group meet at the BDC and that it was only a natural relationship considering the nature of The BDC.
The Bronx Filmmakers Group currently has about 12 strong, active members and during their meetings they give each other updates on their own projects since each member is a filmmaker in their own right. They’re able to offer a support group of sorts to these intrepid filmmakers.
The group also challenges each other with small exercises to try to keep the group moving and fresh and they are designed to help folks get out of that rut that can hit creative individuals.
Tomorrow night is an excellent time to come out and meet the members of The Bronx Filmmakers Group for their 3rd year anniversary event which will run from 7pm-9pm
As for the film screening on Thursday September 7th, this is also a MUST for all Bronxites to come out and celebrate our own filmmakers and watch these 6 great shorts as well as enjoy a panel discussion following it so make sure you save the date for that as well!
Coming Soon: Starbucks. There goes the neighborhood?
Since we posted about Starbucks coming invading the South Bronx and opening up shop in Melrose, many folks have spoken for or against its opening in the neighborhood. So far the vast majority across all social media networks have overwhelmingly commented that they are not happy with the corporate giant opening up in the South Bronx.
So we’re turning to YOU to take a quick poll and see where your loyalties are. This survey is in no way scientific, we just want to know how YOU feel.
Saturday, August 29th, The Bronx Documentary Center will hold an opening reception for ‘Here There, Acá Allá’ which explores the experiences of living between two cultures and although the subject focuses on the Mexican-American experience, this is something that the majority of Bronx residents can relate to being that we are a borough of immigrants.
Whether you were raised in an Italian, Albanian, Jewish, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Irish, or any immigrant household, this is an exhibition that many of us can relate to some capacity.
ON VIEW
August 30 – September 13, 2015
Thursday through Friday 3–7PM
Saturday and Sunday 1-5PM
Here There, Acá Allá
Photographic dialogues between generations and cultures
Curated by Susana Arellano and Rafael Gamo
Here There, Acá Allá was possible through a collaborative effort between Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders and Masa, with the goal of making art accessible to children in the South Bronx.
Here There, Acá Allá is an intergenerational photography workshop that brings together the first and second generations of participating Mexican-American immigrant families. The title refers to the dual experience of growing up and living between two cultures, using two languages and developing an enriched identity.
Calientito is not only cozy but offers excellent food and in my opinion, the best Puerto Rican and Dominican food in The South Bronx.
New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito continues her popular Follow Me Friday series of highlighting small businesses and cultural spots in her district which covers parts of Mott Haven and Port Morris as well as El Barrio in Manhattan.
Today from 5PM to 7PM she’ll be at one of our favorite local spots, Calientito Restaurant which has some of the best Puerto Rican and Dominican food in the South Bronx hands down.
Not only is the food delicious but the ambiance of the space is great with doors that open wide onto the street and decor from back home in the Caribbean giving it a very cozy, home style feel to it.
The arroz con gandules (yellow rice with pigeon peas) is the best I’ve ever had outside of my grandmother’s kitchen, the maduros or sweet plantains are perfect and the pork is just divine.
The restaurant was opened back in 2013 when Eva Diaz and her husband Wascar Santos took a generic looking deli and transformed it into this quaint, wonderful spot with truly authentic and fresh home cooked meal whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. (Check out their gallery and it will have you DROOLING).
Look at all that goodness…yummy!
What’s great about this place is that even a vegetarian can happily eat here and walk out satisfied and with a bellyful.
Follow Me Fridays is a great way for one of our local politicians to show support for our small businesses and highlighting what makes our neighborhoods so special.
Hope to see you there today and enjoy some great conversation with awesome people and even better food!
If you don’t come out today, do place Calientito on your ‘must try’ list. We promise you that you won’t be disappointed.
Calientito is located at 141 Lincoln Avenue in Port Morris Section of The Bronx at 134th Street.
