A Manhattan civil suit claims that a newly constructed 58-story condominium tower in Manhattan’s Financial District has a three-inch tilt as a result of a skewed foundation — a defect that could cause bits of the tower to fall to the street, according to claims.

The alleged tilt of the tower at 161 Maiden Lane was caused by cost-cutting measures on the part of the developer, Fortis Property Group, claims the lawsuit, filed by project contractor Pizzarotti.

According to a story in the New York Post, “Fortis allegedly opted not to drive piles into the soft ground of the site by South Street Seaport on the East River before it laid the foundation, saving them $6 million, the suit alleges. “The building structure has settled and moved to such a degree that the structure is encroaching on a neighboring property line,” according to the papers filed last month in Manhattan Supreme Court. The lean on the 670-foot-tower could cause windows to plummet, the suit claims.”

A structural-engineering expert reportedly told the newspaper that the lean “could also cause doors to open randomly, leaks or uneven floors. All of this will only get worse as the weight of the building — which is currently unoccupied and under construction — increases when water, tanks and fixtures are added, the documents claim.”

The story adds, “Pizzarotti wants to break their contract with the developer, arguing it’s unsafe for workers or future residents to step inside. But Fortis argues this is just a last-ditch attempt by Pizzarotti to pass off blame for their own shoddy work.”

Pizzarotti’s web site (pizzarotti-usa.com) describes the building this way: “New construction of the first all-glass residential tower on the waterfront in the Historic Seaport District in Manhattan. Rising 670 feet, the tower will accommodate 99 luxury apartment and amenities. Overall the construction site is very tight, approximately 4,200 square feet. The site is built on landfill over the original piers along the East River. The curtain wall system is a custom engineered, prototypical design providing maximum glazing heights with narrow site line framing.

“The construction of the foundation would have required extensive dewatering and deep piles, due to its proximity to the East River. Instead, the Owner opted for a foundation design of soilcrete and piles, whereas the subgrade was injected with formulated grout to a depth of 30’- 50’. Perimeter piles were formed/poured to a depth 50’ to create a bathtub to minimize groundwater flow. The top 12’ of soilcreted grade was excavated to enable the pouring of the 12’ thick foundation mat slab. Specific perimeter piles have embedded steel rods which will tie into the mat slab, and post-tensioned when the superstructure height reaches 48 floors. The foundation also contains (4) steel rods, anchored into bedrock, at a depth of approximately 200’. These rods are surveyed monthly to measure calculated settlement of the soilcreted subbase, and building structure as a unit.”

The New York Jets have new uniforms – and they are Gotham Green, Spotlight White and Stealth Black.

Before a crowd of 400-plus Jets fans and both local and national reporters at Gotham Hall in Manhattan, the Jets staged their long-anticipated uniform unveiling, the team reported on its web site. The evening was emceed by actor/comedian/writer J.B. Smoove and was set to music by artist MAX performing his signature “Still New York.”

“But the stars of the show were the Jets players — Sam Darnold, Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Chris Herndon for the offense, Leonard Williams, Avery Williamson and Jamal Adams for the D — modeling the different variations of the new uniform, which feature a new number/nameplate font and “Jet Edge” design elements, on the short Gotham catwalk that they will wear into battle for the 2019 season.”

It didn’t take long for Jets players themselves to weigh in on their new mode of dress.

“We’ve been waiting all offseason for it,” said Williamson. “We knew they were going to be nice. I can’t wait for this fall. Oh, yeah, we’re excited to change this thing around. Jet up, baby.”

Added Anderson, “Man, I felt like new money. It felt great. I’m excited.”

“These all blacks, obviously, this new color wave is crazy,” said Williams. “I’m proud to be the first one wearing it, and I’m happy for all my guys, too.”

The event included opening remarks from Jets owner Christopher Johnson and president Neil Glat, who according to a team release “were in the forefront of the process of working with the NFL and with Nike since 2014 to design these uniforms as one of the key pieces in the rebranding of the organization, the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center and MetLife Stadium.”

“Can you tell that I love this team? I love the hell out of this team,” Johnson said. “This is not only a big moment for us but for our fans. When you see the new uniforms, you’ll notice two words stitched across the chest — ‘NEW YORK.’ They represent the identity of the franchise moving forward: tough, hard-working, resilient, determined.”

“We are definitely delighted with the results,” Glat said. “Our new uniforms are built to perform on the world’s biggest stage and are designed to be both modern and innovative.”

In addition to the implementation of black into the overall color scheme, the team said on its web site, the Gotham Green “was a shade developed exclusively for the Jets. The font will be edgy and unique, and the city that inspired it all — NEW YORK — will be stitched across the chest of each jersey.”

“It’s a statement about the future. I think it’s a statement about how we want to be perceived as a little bolder, a little more innovative and a little greater,” Glat said. “I don’t want to interpret too much into uniforms and logos but we think that’s what we’re trying to capture and hopefully that gets reflected on the field.”

Among the last Chassidic Rebbes born in pre-war Europe, the passing of the Skulener Rebbe at the age of 95 on Monday afternoon draws ever closer the conclusion of a torturous era in the narrative of Jewish history—the dispersion of Chassidic courts from the Eastern European villages, towns and cities where they had shaped Jewish life for centuries. Known for his kindheartedness and prolific composition of Chassidic melodies, Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom Portugal, of blessed memory, was a beloved fixture of Brooklyn’s Boro Park neighborhood.

Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom was born in 1924 in the village of Sculeni (Skulen in Yiddish) on the border of present-day Moldova and Romania, and moved to the Ukrainian city of Chernowitz shortly before World War Two.

His father, Rabbi Eliezer Zusia Portugal, the first Skulener Rebbe, was a prominent follower of the Shtefanesht Chassidic group, itself a branch of the famed Ruzhiner dynasty, and only became a Rebbe in his own right later in life.

Prior to World War II, Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom assisted his father in caring for Jewish orphans. Shortly after the war, they were able to relocate to the city of Bucharest, Romania, managing to take a number of orphans with them.

In Bucharest they expanded their activities, opening an orphanage and encouraging the children to practice Judaism scrupulously. Romania was by then a Soviet-satellite Communist republic, and their work raised the ire of the Communist authorities. Starting in 1949, Rabbi Eliezer Zusia was arrested on several occasions, although each time his release was secured with minimal effort. However, in 1959, the regime arrested both the father and Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom, himself a 35-year-old leader, charging them with treason.

An immense international effort ensued to secure the release of the Rebbe and his son. Instrumental in these efforts were Mr. Harry Goodman, vice president of Agudath Israel; Rabbi Eliezer Silver, President of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the U.S and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory. Rabbi Silver traveled numerous times to Washington to intercede on their behalf, but was unsuccessful. However, after a personal telephone call from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he agreed to travel one last time to Washington. A short while later, the Skulener Rebbe and his son— and eventual successor—were released.

The bond between Chabad and Skulen did not end there. When the Skulener Rebbe and his son reached the shores of the United States in 1960, they opted to reside in the neighborhood of Crown Heights, close to the headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Rabbi Eliezer Zusia had numerous audiences with the Rebbe and attended farbrengens led by the Rebbe on various occasions.

When he would visit the Chabad synagogue for morning prayers, the Rebbe would insist that Rabbi Eliezer Zusia be called to the Torah in his place. Indeed, in a private audience with the Rebbe in 1974, the Rebbe contended that the Skulener Rebbe had the power to actualize the final redemption. When the Skulener Rebbe resisted, the Rebbe remarked, that he was displaying “uncalled-for humbleness.”

When, due to rising crime rates, the broader Jewish community of Crown Heights started to flee, the Lubavitcher Rebbe strongly encouraged the local Jewish population to stay. In deference to the Rebbe, and even after most of his followers had already moved away, the first Skulener Rebbe stayed put. In his last years in Crown Heights, Chabad students would ensure he had a minyan for prayer.

After settling in the United States, the first Skulener Rebbe continued his work on behalf of Romanian Jewry. He struck a deal with British businessman Henry Jakober—for $2000 a head, the Romanians would grant exit visas for Jews. The Skulener Rebbe needed to raise a significant sum, fast. He asked the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (“The Joint”) for assistance, but they were reluctant to come onboard, fearing that the Romanians would not keep their word. The Skulener Rebbe turned to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, asking him to pull any strings he could. The Rebbe called Rabbi Binyamin Eliyahu Gorodetsky, head of Chabad in Europe and enlisted his help. Rabbi Gorodetsky was able to meet with Moses Leavitt of the Joint, eventually convincing him that they could trust the Romanians to follow through. These efforts of the Skulener Rebbe together with Chabad activists facilitated the rescue of thousands of Jews from Romania. This project was eventually taken over by the Israeli government and resulted in the rescue of hundreds of thousands of Jews from Romania.

After the passing of the first Skulener Rebbe in 1982, his son Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom Portugal took over the mantle of leadership, becoming the second Skulener Rebbe. He continued in the ways of his father, running the charity Chesed L’Avraham that his father had established for disadvantaged children.

After the passing of the Rebbe’s wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Skulener Rebbe paid a shiva call to the Rebbe. The Rebbe remarked on the special bond between Chabad and Skulen.

The Skulener Rebbe was laid to rest on Wednesday with tens of thousands in attendance at his funeral.

             (Chabad.org)

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman to Head Delegation of US Ambassadors and White House Representatives Joining 31st International March of the Living, Which is Set to Highlight the Launch of Youth-Led Anti-Semitism Campaign and Commemoration of Greek Holocaust Victims

On Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom Hashoah), Thursday, May 2, more than 10,000 Jewish and non-Jewish youth from around the world will participate in the 31st annual International March of the Living to pay tribute to all victims of the Holocaust and call for an end to anti-Semitism. This year, for the first time, the event’s main ceremony will honor Greek Jewry, which was almost completely annihilated by the Nazis and their collaborators, and will include a performance by singer Yehuda Poliker, the son of Holocaust survivors from Salonika, Greece, who recently marked 30 years since the debut of his album “Ash and Dust.”

In response to the torrent of anti-Semitic events and growing trend of hate crimes against Jews around the world over the last two year, the March of the Living will host the first-ever ‘Emerging Leadership Conference’ in Krakow ahead of the march for hundreds of youth from around the world who have been impacted by anti-Semitism. During the conference, 20 youth representatives – Jewish and non-Jewish – will sign an official declaration to launch the campaign, a rallying and defiant call to other youth to commemorate the Holocaust and help put an end to anti-Semitism before history repeats itself. The youth leaders will then heavily promote the campaign via social media platforms under the hashtag #SayNoToAntisemitism.

“Unfortunately, anti-Semitism has been rearing its ugly head quite a bit lately. To make things worse, studies have shown that about half of US and European youth have never even heard of Auschwitz before, which stands as a symbol of the destructive power of anti-Semitism,” said Dr. Shmuel Rosenman, Founder and Co-Chairman of the March of the Living. “One of the March of the Living’s longstanding goals is to combat anti-Semitism by promoting Holocaust education. We are here to say in a clear voice: ‘Never again.’ We march to remind the world of the horrors that occurred during the Holocaust and to lead a global movement to combat anti-Semitism in all its forms.”

A special delegation of US Ambassadors and White House representatives headed by the US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, and including US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, US Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher, and Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr, will join the thousands of young international participants and dozens of Holocaust survivors on the 3-kilometer march from Auschwitz to Birkenau. To honor Greek Jewry, Greece will also send a distinguished delegation to the march, headed by His All-Holiness Bartholomew I Archbishop of Constantinople New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, the leader of tens of millions of Orthodox Christians around the world, and the Speaker of the Greek Parliament, Mr. Nikos Voutsis.

Other high-profile participants will include Prime Minister of Romania and President of Council of EU Viorica Dăncilă, Holocaust survivor and Former Israeli Chief Rabbi Israel Lau, who has accompanied every march since 1988, Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog, who will be leading the Jewish Agency delegation behind a far-reaching international campaign against anti-Semitism, and the New England Revolution, an American professional soccer club proudly supporting the #SayNoToAntisemitism campaign.

The International March of the Living is an immersive Holocaust education experience – the largest of its kind – that brings tens of thousands of individuals to Poland every year to examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance and hatred. Since its inception in 1988, more than 300,000 participants from 52 countries have marched down the same 3-kilometer path leading from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Holocaust Memorial Day as a tribute to all victims of the Holocaust. Over the last 30 years, high-profile participants have included Israeli Prime Ministers, Presidents, Members of Knesset, Chiefs of Staff, and Ministers, as well as Presidents, Ministers of Education, intellectuals, and educators from around the world.

Prior to the march on Holocaust Memorial Day, the participating youth delegations – comprised of both Jews and non-Jews – will visit ghettos, monuments and death camps to learn about life in Europe prior to World War II, the Holocaust and the suffering of its tens of millions of victims. Following the march, more than 6,000 participants will continue on to Israel for a week of study that will culminate in Israel’s Independence Day celebrations.

The International March of the Living (motl.org) is an immersive Holocaust education experience that brings individuals from around the world to Poland to examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance and hatred. Since its inception in 1988, more than 260,000 alumni from 52 countries have marched down the same 3-kilometer path leading from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah) as a tribute to all victims of the Holocaust.

Edited by: JV Staff