Around Brooklyn: Plaque commemorating Dodgers is back

December 18, 2020 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Jackie Robinson, right, pictured here in 1947 with teammates, from left, John Jorgensen, Pee Wee Reese and Ed Stanky, broke MLB's color barrier that year when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. Photo: Harry Harris/AP

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Pol’s mother hurt in synagogue fire

Fire broke out inside a 60-year-old building that includes a synagogue, and the Torah and other holy books were saved by firefighters. The blaze started just before 8 a.m. at 4901 18th Ave. in Mapleton on Wednesday and was put out by 60 firefighters within 45 minutes. The 101-year-old mother of State Sen. Simcha Felder, whose father founded the synagogue, was in her apartment on the first floor and safely made it out. The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire at the two-story building, which houses the synagogue as well as three apartments, according to the New York Post. A Torah scribe who lives in one of the other apartments, as well as his family, also made it out of the building.

Plaque commemorating Dodgers is back

A plaque in Downtown Brooklyn commemorating the former front office of the Brooklyn Dodgers, which was removed in 2019, has not been placed back onto its home outside 205 Montague St. The plaque was installed by the European-American Bank and the Brooklyn Historical Society. After being alerted to the memorial, the Brooklyn Heights Association worked with Midtown Equities to reinstall it, according to published reports. The office was not in the current building; it was inside the old Mechanics Bank Building, which was on the same site in the 1930s and ‘40s. In that building, fans used to line up for tickets, and Jackie Robinson was signed for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, according to published reports.

Brooklyn school performs `The Nutcracker’ outdoors

Normally, P.S. 9’s performance of “The Nutcracker” is presented in a 1,000-seat auditorium. However, this year, it was performed in an outdoor playground. Dance teacher Iris Wilson said, “The children look forward to it every year, so yeah, I had to make something happen for them.” This year’s performance mixes at-home and in-person dances. The show features Tchaikovsky’s traditional score in the first half and Duke Ellington’s version of the Nutcracker Suite in the second.

Investment firm pays hospital nurse managers’ debt

Alger, a growth investment management firm based in New York City, and its employees recently donated $400,000 to pay the outstanding student debt of The Brooklyn Hospital Center’s nurse managers. “While watching the news about the pandemic, I wanted to find a way to support our healthcare workers on the frontlines of this terrible crisis. Nurses are the backbone of a hospital, providing 24/7 care to patients, and too often are the unsung heroes of a crisis like this,” said Dan Chung, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Alger.

MTA to bring elevators to 8 stations

The MTA has announced an accessibility project including eight stations throughout the five boroughs that will result in 17 new elevators. This project is being funded by federal grant money already received by the MTA and highlights the Authority’s ongoing commitment to systemwide accessibility. “Our commitment to improving accessibility remains a priority despite the difficult financial situation the MTA is facing,” said Janno Lieber, President of MTA Construction & Development. In Brooklyn, 7th Avenue on the F and G lines will get three elevators, Grand Street on the L train will get 2 elevators, and Metropolitan Avenue-Lorimer Street on the G and L lines will get five elevators.

Nadler hails passage of crime bills

On Wednesday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-Brooklyn-Manhattan) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives unanimously passed two criminal justice reform bills within the Committee’s jurisdiction: “Creating a more just and fair criminal justice system has long been a priority for the Judiciary Committee. The bipartisan legislation passed today will improve law enforcement’s ability to resolve cases of missing persons, ensure incarcerated individuals get the holistic treatment they need, and reduce recidivism rates by providing individuals returning to society with the resources necessary to become productive members of their communities.”

Menchaca hails passage of courts act

City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) on Tuesday applauded Gov. Cuomo’s signing the Protect Our Courts Act (S00425A/A2176A) that prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from making warrantless arrests in New York State courts. “Today is a victory for due process and justice. Every New Yorker, regardless of their immigration status, deserves their day in court without the fear of being detained and deported by ICE,” said Menchaca, chair of the Committee on Immigration.

Colton: Stop the shutdown of small businesses

Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) doesn’t believe that shutting down restaurants for indoor dining is the sole factor in slowing the coronavirus spread. “The chart released by Governor Cuomo between September and November of 2020, clearly showing that out of 46,000 data points of Exposure the percentage of infection rate tracing data is concluding that 73.81% of exposure is from private household gatherings. The health care services are at 7.81%. Ironically, restaurants and bars are at 1.43%, which is far lower than private household gatherings and health care services.”

Compiled by Raanan Geberer