Activist Answers Our Recent Article On The Shrinking Jewish Community Here

Editor’s note: Gerry Weiner, the writer of the following letter, is president of Canarsie Cares and an avid civic activist. We thought her viewpoints should be shared.

Dear Editor:

It’s unfortunate that the respondents to Shlomo Greenwald’s interviews did not tell the entire story about “The shrinking but surviving Jewish community in Canarsie.”

In reality, what has happened in Canarsie has happened in many areas of New York, the city that takes pride in its diversity. However, in Canarsie, change did not happen naturally. The scare and steer tactic of the real estate firms frightened people, and no one helped.

While some people moved because they were racists, or worried about the value of their homes, some moved because they could no longer maintain their homes. Aged people moved to warmer climates, to senior housing developments, or to be near their children. But, there are still many Jewish families in Canarsie of every age group—old timers and newcomers.

Most are secular Jews who are not synagogue goers, though some might come on the High Holidays, or possibly to say prayers for a deceased family member.

What has the rabbinate of Canarsie done to reach out to the non-attendees? What effort have they made to advertise our viable community?

When a kosher bakery and luncheonette, near Waldbaum’s, was closed down by a local rabbi without reasonable cause, who spoke out? When the real estate people continued their steering, whose voices were heard? What happened to the concept of integration? When the newspapers ran brokers’ real estate ads that read “No Money Down,” and “No Income Needed,” where were the authorities to stop the dishonest and illegal tactics?

Because we are an affordable, safe community, there are new Russian Jewish families in every part of Canarsie. What synagogues have reached out to them, aside from Young Israel of Canarsie, who did so when Rabbi Weber officiated? Yes, Young Israel of Canarsie exists as does the Seaview Jewish Center, Congregation Beth Tikvah, Congregation Beth Abraham, Congregation AAA Canarsie, and the Young Israel of Redwood, in addition to those mentioned in the article. What efforts have the elected officials made to bring more Jewish people into the area as they have done to other neighborhoods in their power base? What efforts have the Jewish Community leaders made? Let them know we are an affordable, convenient community with a mikvah, erun, and lots of infrastructures.

With all the existing synagogues and the Hebrew Educational Society, why is there “no Jewish ambiance” here? What is being done to bring interesting events and life here.? Why wasn’t there a program to commemorate the freeing of thousands of Holocaust survivors at Auschwitz? There are Jewish survivors living in Canarsie.

While the HES offers a wonderful athletic programs, and does have periodic Hasidic and children’s entertainment, why doesn’t their board (most, if not all, do not live in Canarsie) suggest programs to give the Jewish residents here reasons to attend the facility? Restoring the Jewish Lecture Series and Chamber Music Concerts that once took place would be welcome. Why not programs for Jewish single people who live here?

Yes, there are new Jewish people in all parts of Canarsie, but reaching out is needed. Advertising is sorely needed to counter-balance the untrue, negative stories about our community.

We are a community of many ethnicities. We have an opportunity to be a true example of New York City’s diversity. Then, we won’t have to worry about whether the synagogues will survive.

Gerry C. Weiner