Riverdale’s ONLYLocally Owned

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Volume XIX • Number 15 • April 26 - May 2, 2012 • FREE!

Continued on Page 12

Local kid, chef on the rise, killed for his phone

Hyun Sub Yang, breaks down after laying her only son to rest after last Monday’s funeral mass.

By MIAWLING LAMand ALLISON SUMMERSThe leafy neighborhood of

Riverdale has been rocked by the grisly murder of an aspiring chef who was shot and killed during a cold-blooded robbery last week.

Police say Hwang B. Yang, a Korean national who lived at 3261 Johnson Avenue with his family, was gunned down for his iPhone on West 232nd Street near Cambridge Avenue at 12:30 a.m. last Thursday.

Commanding officer of the 50th Precinct Captain Kevin Burke said Yang, 26, was heading home after clocking off work at the Modern restaurant in Man-hattan and was blocks from his house when he was shot.

“We think the victim gets off the train at 231 and Broadway, cuts through Ewen Park and gets up to 232 and Cambridge, where he is confronted by the suspect,” he said.

“We believe there was a struggle over the iPhone, a firearm is produced and a shot was fired.”

Captain Burke said a single bullet from a .38-caliber pistol was fired during the altercation, piercing the victim’s heart and lungs.

Yang was immediately rushed

to Columbia Presbyterian Hospi-tal but was pronounced dead on arrival. Yang is the 50th Precinct’s first murder victim of 2012.

According to family members and friends, Yang’s headphones were still in his ears when police arrived at the scene. His iPhone was missing, but his wallet re-mained untouched, they said.

According to an eyewitness, the gunman was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and fled the scene in a silver minivan bearing New York State license plates.

As of press time, no arrests had been made and there were no real leads. Police are continu-ing their investigation and have appealed for more witnesses to come forward.

Detectives have obtained surveillance footage showing the victim walking from the subway but have no images of a suspect matching the witness’ description.

“It’s going to be a challeng-ing case,” Captain Burke said. “As you can imagine, it’s a very important case, so it’s getting all the necessary resources.”

Dozens of reward posters have been plastered near Ewen Park, while a makeshift memorial com-plete with candles, flowers and rosary beads has been erected at the crime scene.

The NYPD Crimestoppers ho-tline is offering a $2,000 reward, on top of a $10,000 bounty of-fered by the NYPD’s Chief of De-tectives for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

A family friend, who works alongside the victim’s mom at Petite Petite Lounge, a nail salon at 5661 Mosholu Avenue, said the case was tragic because Yang had his whole life ahead of him.

The woman, who declined to provide her name, said the man came from Seoul, Korea, and was incredibly upbeat about life prior to his death.

“He was a really nice, hard-working guy,” she said. “He worked two jobs to try and save money, and he was determined to make it on his own without getting money from his par-ents.

“He was excited because he had just gotten his green card, and he was looking forward to

getting his driver’s license. He was scheduled to take his test on April 30.”

The woman said the victim’s mother has been inconsolable since her only son was killed.

“She clings to the T-shirt he was wearing the morning before he was killed,” she said.

When contacted on Friday, Yang’s distraught sister, Sunah Yang, 24, declined to provide further comments.

Hedy Adler, who works along-side the victim’s uncle at Alad-din Cleaners at 3528 Johnson Avenue, described Yang as a true gentleman.

“He was one of the finest young men I’ve ever known,” she said. “He was a nice person, hard-working, never smoked or drank, and was careful with his money. I imagine he would have liked to eventually open his own restaurant.”

Yang had been working as the full-time garde-manger at the

Modern, an upscale restaurant owned and operated by famed restaurateur Danny Meyer, since early February.

Union Square Hospitality Group spokeswoman Jee Won Park said Yang oversaw prepara-tion for the amuse-bouche and cold dishes at the restaurant, located inside the Museum of Modern Art.

“He was quiet, professional and friendly and seemed to really enjoy working with our team,” she said on Friday.

“We’re just incredibly dev-astated and shocked by this news. It will take some time for all of us, especially those at the Modern, to really absorb what’s happened.”

Colleagues have not planned any specific tributes to honor their fallen comrade, Park said, but that was subject to change.

“At this time, we are working with the family to see if there’s

Family file photo of Hwang Yang, 26, who lived on Johnson Avenue.

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2 Espaillat’s challenge to Rangel gains some endorsementsBy MIAWLING LAM

The endorsements are starting to roll in for state Senator Adriano Espaillat, who is trying to depose 21-term veteran politico Charlie Rangel for a seat in Congress.

Fellow state Senator Gustavo Rivera and New York City Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association president Norman Seabrook are the latest heavyweights to throw their support behind the Washing-ton, D.C. hopeful.

Both leaders vowed to campaign along-side Espaillat and drum up local support as he seeks to unseat incumbent Rangel.

Rivera, whose district represents a por-tion of the newly drawn congressional boundaries, became the first local elected official to break ranks when he endorsed Espaillat last Thursday.

The Puerto-Rican, who currently rep-resents Kingsbridge, University Heights and Norwood, said he was compelled to support Espaillat because of his leadership and energy.

“I have a lot of respect for Congress-man Rangel. Forty-two years of public service is a fantastic achievement, but I think Adriano and Adriano’s energy needs to be in Congress,” he told the Review last week.

“This is a great opportunity to have someone who represents Bronxites, and I think he will show the same leadership and forward-thinking he has shown in the Senate, in Congress.”

Seabrook also touted Espaillat’s leadership as a driving force behind his endorsement.

“From his support of New York’s work-ing men and women to his commitment on issues like affordable housing, job

creation, and civil rights, Senator Espaillat has been a strong, progressive leader for all of us,” he said in a statement.

“He will bring change to Congress and be the partner that President Obama needs in the House of Representatives.”

The NYC Correction Officers’ Benevo-lent Association is the largest municipal jail union in the nation and the second largest law enforcement union in the city.

Noted fashion icon Oscar de la Renta, former Rangel aide Vincent Morgan and Manhattan community activist Ruben Dario Vargas have already endorsed the Dominican-American.

The latest endorsements come a week after Espaillat’s campaign committee re-portedly collected nearly 10,000 petition signatures—well above the 1,000 needed to qualify for the ballot.

Espaillat, who currently represents a large section of Riverdale in the state Sen-ate, officially launched his campaign on April 1. If successful, he will become the first Dominican-American to be elected to Congress.

Under newly drawn political boundar-ies, the 13th District will cover Washing-ton Heights and Inwood in Manhattan, as well as Bedford Park, Norwood, Kings-bridge Heights, and parts of Kingsbridge and University Heights in The Bronx.

Census data shows the district will also be 55 percent Hispanic, 27 percent black and 12 percent white—playing right into Espaillat’s hands.

Meanwhile, Espaillat turned up at Man-hattan College’s Latino Alumni Club’s “Three Senators” event last Thursday and offered his thoughts on controversial is-sues including President Barack Obama’s

healthcare reforms and mayoral control of schools.

Appearing alongside Manhattan Col-lege alumnus and state Senator Jose M. Serrano and state Senator Gustavo Rivera, Espaillat said he stood behind Obama on the healthcare issue.

“I think the healthcare industry has spiraled out of control and that it is a criti-cal reason, among others, for the current economic crisis,” he said.

“The Obama plan offers, at least, some solutions to the bigger problems. I don’t think it’s a panacea. I don’t think it’s an answer to all the problems, but I think it should be a national plan.”

Espaillat also said he would vote to retain mayoral control of schools if the issue came to the floor for another vote, arguing it was

needed for accountability purposes.“It may not have worked with this

mayor, but it does not mean it cannot work with another mayor,” he said.

“To have a system that is totally like a runaway system without one figure that’s accountable for its success or failure is a mistake.

“If the mayor is responsible for educa-tion, you as constituents and as voters have a chance every four years to say he’s doing a good job, let’s re-elect him, or he’s doing a bad job and dump him.”

Espaillat’s congressional run represents a win-win proposition. Even if he loses his bid to unseat Rangel in the June 26 primary, he could still keep his job and seek re-election in the Senate in the Sep-tember primary.

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ril 26, 20123PS 24 hit by $5 million lawsuit

By MIAWLING LAMA student from P.S. 24 was severely

injured after an unruly classmate hurled a pair of scissors that got embedded in her neck, court papers reveal.

Riverdale mom Myriam Murphy, who is suing the Department of Education for $5 million, claims her daughter Caitlyn was attacked while she sat in the classroom on March 23, 2011.

According to a lawsuit filed in Bronx Supreme Court last week, Murphy blames the school for failing to provide adequate student supervision and accuses admin-istrators of negligent behavior.

It is not known what grade the child was enrolled in or whether she was in a special education class.

Murphy claims her daughter required medical aid and attention after she sustained severe injuries “when she was impaled in the neck with a pro-jectile—scissors—thrown by another student.”

The freak accident allegedly left the child “severely injured, bruised and wounded,” and the child allegedly “suf-fered, still suffers and will continue to suffer for some time physical pain and bodily injuries.”

When contacted earlier this week, at-torney Casey Fundaro from the law firm John C. Dearie, who is representing Mur-phy, declined to issue a statement.

“At the end of the day, I just never make any comment on cases,” he said. “I love the press, but I just don’t comment on cases.”

As of press time, calls to the school were not returned.

However, P.S. 24 interim acting assis-tant principal Manny Verdi reportedly downplayed the incident when contacted by the New York Post.

“The student wasn’t impaled like we had to call an ambulance,” he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Department of Education officials declined to comment on the pending lawsuit.

This latest incident comes on the heels of a similar incident at P.S. 24 nearly a year ago when a male fifth grader suffered a broken arm.

Department of Education officials con-firmed that two classmates attacked him during a recess break in Seton Park, under the supervision of school personnel.

The young man was taken to Monte-fiore Hospital for treatment.

By ALLISON SUMMERSThe Department of Transportation

has cancelled plans to close any south-bound lanes of the Broadway Bridge on Saturdays through May 31 to perform structural repairs.

The DOT had originally planned to close one southbound lane from 10 p.m. on Fridays to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and close two southbound lanes from 11 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. on Saturday. However, it chose to abandon the idea after Councilman G. Oliver Koppell alerted officials to the fact that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority often uses shuttle buses to replace the No. 1 train on weekends.

Over the past couple of months, weekend service on the No. 1 train has been periodically suspended in both di-rections between West 168th Street and West 242nd Street. As a result, shuttle buses must travel over the bridge to get from Inwood to Marble Hill.

“Commuters inconvenienced by ser-vice changes to the public transportation system shouldn’t be doubly inconve-nienced by road repairs,” Koppell said.

Although they decided to cancel weekend work, the DOT will still close a single southbound lane on week-nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and two southbound lanes from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. to complete necessary repairs on the bridge.

Workers are slated to repair the con-crete structural deck, remove the exist-ing deteriorated deck and install a new concrete deck.

Weekend work abandoned on Broadway Bridge

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4 Around the schools...

P.S. 24Fifth-graders led a school-wide fund-

raiser this spring for the nonprofit “charity:water.” The nearly $8,000 col-lected through a read-a-thon and other activities will fund well-building projects in developing countries. “Our read-a-thon not only helped raise money but also motivated our students to read more. This is the best possible combination: taking something academic and using it to help benefit a great cause,” said fifth-grade teacher Stephanie Walms-ley, who organized the fundraiser.

P.S. 81A school tour for parents of incom-

ing kindergarteners will take place on Wednesday, May 3, at 9 a.m. The tour, originally scheduled for Friday, April 27, was rescheduled because of state math exams for grades 3 through 5 this Wednes-day through Friday.

“The Cadoo Game,” an oil pastel draw-ing by second-grader Diego Villaronga, will be shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art throughout the summer as part of P.S. Art, an annual Department of Education competition that recognizes outstanding artwork created by students in grades pre-K through 12. Villaronga’s piece, selected from more than 800 entries, will move to a display at the Tweed Courthouse in the fall.

In an extended cel-ebration of Earth Day, parent Shari Gilligan will work with kindergarteners and first-graders to plant bulbs around the school.

M.S./H.S. 141—Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy

The community is invited to enjoy the Riverdale Community Center production of “Fame” on Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the RKA auditorium at 660 West 237th Street. RKA students in grades 6 through 12—actors as well as behind-the-scenes support staff—have worked toward these performances since January under the direction of English teacher Charles Stahl. The suggested donation is $5.

The parents association invites the community to its first-ever RKArnival, booked for Friday, May 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the yard behind the school. Participants can look forward to carnival-style attrac-tions, music, dancing, prizes and fun. Barbecued foods and other refreshments will be available for purchase.

Saint Gabriel SchoolStudents recently made their mark at

three academic competitions last month. At the Mount St. Michael Academy Olym-pics, a fifth-place trophy was earned by team members Cheyenne Brooks, Isabelle Hasslund, Courtney Manniello, Grace McGrath, Ian McNamara, Liam McSwee-ney, Sommer Queally, Tabitha Rosa, Tiana Segers, Kelly Williams and Peter Winiarski. Kellie Williams also won a gold medal in English; Grace McGrath, a gold medal in science; Cheyenne Brooks, a silver medal in history; and Ian McNamara, a bronze medal in English.

At the Bronx Catholic Schools Science Fair, also held at Mount St. Michael, sixth-graders Julien Alonso, Grace McGrath and Robert Meo won fourth-place for their

project, “Finding the pH of Substances Us-ing Red Cabbage Juice”; seventh-graders Cheyenne Brooks, Isabelle Hasslund and Tiana Segers won second-place for their project, “Mindworks”; and eighth-grader Courtney Manniello won first-place for her project, “Are You a Looker or a Lis-tener?” These students were led by science teacher James Moran.

Multitalented sixth-grader Grace Mc-Grath placed third in the poetry category for her recitation of “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes in a forensics competition held at The Ursuline School.

Horace Mann SchoolThe Horace Mann Theatre Company

invites the community to its season finale, “Guys and Dolls.” Troupe produc-tions are the culmination of students’ work in performance courses offered by the theatre, dance and film studies department. Performances are in the Alfred P. Gross Theatre at 231 West 246th Street on Thursday, April 26, at 3:30 p.m. and on Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. Admis-sion is $10 or $5 for students and seniors. To reserve, contact 718-432-4150 or hmtcboxoffice@horacemann.org. Tick-

ets are also available at the door.

This is Spirit Week at HM. The garb for Sports Day on Monday was jeans and a favorite team’s jersey. Twin Day on Tuesday featured

friends or groups dressed alike for the day. Neons were recommended for Krazy Kolor Day on Wednesday. Middle School teams should feel a surge of support on Thursday, Maroon and White Day. Friday, Middle Mania Day, is for wearing the school team colors head to toe.

Manhattan CollegeThe college has moved up on Payscale.

com’s annual Return on Investment rankings, placing 19th among 850 U.S. colleges and universities as compared with last year’s rank of 37th. The survey cited a 30-year return on investment of more than $800,000 for the college by calculating the average salary of a graduate after deducting the net cost of a four-year degree. “Our presence, year after year, on this list testifies to the great value of a Manhattan College education; our steady rise reflects our constant efforts to combine excellence and affordability,” President Brennan O’Donnell said.

College of Mount Saint Vincent

The college will host its annual Scholar-ship Tribute Dinner at the New York Public Library on Monday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds go to scholarships for talented and deserving students. Honorees will be C. Edward “Chuck” Chaplin, president and CFO of Municipal Bond Insurance Association and William J. Fishlinger, founder, chairman and CEOof Wright Risk Management America Indemnity Corporation. Tribute Dinner honorees are recognized for their business acumen, commitment to education and support of the college’s mission. To purchase a ticket or to support the event, visit mountsaint-vincent.edu/tributedinner.

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ril 26, 20125Gifted programs will increase here, but shrinks Bronx-wide

By MIAWLING LAMMore local students qualified for com-

petitive gifted and talented programs this year, but Bronx children continue to lag behind their city counterparts.

New data released by Department of Education officials reveals a total of 103 kindergarten students from District 10—which covers a large swath of the northwest Bronx including Riverdale and

Kingsbridge—qualified for seats in the prestigious program.

A breakdown shows a total of 61 local kids snared themselves a spot in district classes, while an additional 42 students gained admission to the uber-competitive citywide program.

The results represent a marked improve-ment from last year’s record low, when just 68 kindergarteners made the grade and from 2009-10, when 88 students qualified.

Children must sit for two entrance ex-ams and must score at or above the 90th percentile to qualify for a district program or at least in the 97th percentile to be considered for five citywide programs.

The screener tests measure verbal, quantitative, cognitive and figural reason-ing—skills that are most closely related to scholastic achievement.

Locally, there are district-wide gifted and talented programs at P.S. 24 and P.S. 7, while five citywide programs include three in Manhattan, one in Brooklyn and one in Queens.

Citywide, 4,912 kids, or 34 percent of all test-takers, qualified for either a district or citywide gifted programs this year, up from 4,027 incoming students in 2011.

Across the 32 city school districts, District 10 was placed 16th in terms of how many kindergarten students landed a seat. It was also the highest-ranking school district in The Bronx.

However, District 10’s 103 figure pales in comparison to the numbers racked up in other areas.

District 2, which runs from lower Manhattan and through parts of midtown and the Upper East Side,

accounted for the bulk of admissions with a staggering 949 kindergarteners qualifying.

District 3, which covers the Upper West Side, came in second with 505 successful applicants, while District 20, which encompasses the south-west corner of Brooklyn including Borough Park, Bay Ridge and Sunset Park, racked up 333 successful ap-plicants.

At the opposite end, just six kids in District 7, which covers the South Bronx, qualified for enrichment class slots, while a dozen students in Brooklyn’s District 32 made the grade.

Education officials will begin to send out placement offers starting Monday, May 21. Parents are given until Monday, June 4, to accept the offer.

By MIAWLING LAMAfter several delays, the long-awaited

opening of Oregano Bar & Bistro has fi-nally been set for the first week of May.

The Riverdale Review can reveal the French-Latin restaurant, located at 3524 John-son Avenue, will open with a limited dinner menu and cocktails on Thursday, May 3.

Patrons will initially be offered only cold dishes and cocktails such as salads, char-cuterie and raw bar items including caviar, oysters, dry-cured Spanish ham and pate.

The restaurant will offer their full din-ner menu a couple of days later.

Restaurateur Erick A. Caceres said open-ing with the “Cocktails & Cold” portion of the menu was a deliberate move as it allows the service team to iron out any kinks.

“We wanted to do 50 percent because you want to make sure the whole training gets done properly,” he said.

According to a copy of the dinner menu obtained by the Review, Oregano’s dishes are grounded in traditional French cuisine, with Latin, Portuguese and Spanish influ-ences sprinkled throughout.

There will be an extensive selection of house-cured meats, cheeses and seafood, supplemented with hot dishes including a Merguez spicy lamb sausage burger with Vidalia onion rings, oregano aioli and Parmesan truffle matchstick fries ($14); sea bass in a brown butter, caper, parsley and lemon sauce with steamed vegetables ($25); noodles in Nicoise olives and toma-toes topped with chevre ($15); and a duck and seafood paella ($28 per person).

Other offerings are raw oysters ($16 for six), shrimp cocktail ($15), red and gold beets with goat cheese, walnuts and Oregano’s vinaigrette on a homemade mini baguette ($6), a tri-color salad with melted Montrachet cheese ($12) and grilled sardines over wild arugula ($12).

Meanwhile, the food will be comple-mented with beer and cocktails from an ex-tensive list including drinks dating from the pre-Prohibition era that have been renewed by Stilo, Oregano’s director of spirits.

Caceres said executive chef Claude Alain Solliard will spend the rest of the week per-fecting each dish and will be ready to serve hungry diners once its doors open.

The Swiss-born chef boasts an impres-sive resume, having worked in the kitch-ens of Le Cirque, Raoul’s and the now-defunct San Domenico and L’Espinasse, and he brings a depth of experience rarely seen outside Manhattan.

Asked about the delays that have plagued the restaurant—it was supposed to open last fall—Caceres apologized but assured residents the end result would justify the wait.

He also admitted he would be “relieved, excited, elated and all of the above” come next Thursday.

“I know it’s been a long time coming, but they won’t be disappointed,” he said. “It’ll be worth the wait.”

Oregano will finally open next week

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Artists’ Talks at Lehman Art Gallery

Lehman College Art Gallery, in col-laboration with The City and Humanities Program, will present Artists’ Talks featur-ing Priscila de Carvalho, Michael Ferris Jr. and Sean McCarthy on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 12:30 pm.

Michael Ferris Jr: The Bronx Series and Other Works

Under the Influence: The ComicsLaylah Ali, Luis Cruz Azaceta, James

Barsness, Priscila De Carvalho, Enrique Chagoya, Sue Coe, Felipe Galindo, Steve Gianakos, Red Grooms, Pablo Helguera, Dan Hernandez, Darren Lago, D. Dominick Lombardi, Sean McCarthy, Gary Panter, Tom Otterness, Lázaro Saavedra, Peter Saul, Mark Dean Veca, John Wesley, William T. Wiley, H.J. Ward, and Sandy Winters

Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. Lehman College Art Gallery is located at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West. For more information, visit www.lehman.edu/gallery or call 718-960-8731.

Presentation of orchids at Riverdale Y

Senator Klein, Assemblyman Dinowitz, Catherine Pisado (Senator Klein’s assis-tant) will be presenting orchids to the Simon Senior Center at The Riverdale Y on April 27 at 12 pm. The orchids were donated by The NY Botanical Gardens. Anyone who is attending the Simon Senior Center luncheon will be receiving a raffle ticket and may be the lucky recipient of one of these beautiful orchids.

The Y is located at 5625 Arlington Avenue. For more information contact Vicki at 718-548-8200 ext 224

WCS Run for the Wild 2012 is dedicated to saving lions

The 4th annual WCS Run for the WildTM at the Bronx Zoo is right around the corner, and the restaurants on neigh-boring Arthur Avenue are rallying behind this year’s runners and walkers by offering a feast fit for a lion and a chance to carbo-load the night before the big event.

On Friday, April 27 from 3 to 9:00 p.m., the Belmont Business Improvement District will host Pasta for the Planet at Mario’s Restaurant that will feature special pasta dishes from eateries throughout the historic Little Italy in the Bronx. Runners, walkers,

wildlife supporters, and anyone interested in the best Italian pasta that New York has to offer, can feast for only $10. All proceeds from Pasta for the Planet will be donated to the WCS Run for the Wild 2012.

Participating restaurants will create signature Pasta for the Planet dishes for the feast. Everyone can enjoy a taste of neigh-borhood favorites including Antonio’s Trattoria; Arthur Avenue Trattoria; Cerini; Full Moon Pizza; Gerbasi Restaurant; Gino’s Pastry Shop; La Dolce Vita; Mario’s Restau-rant; Mike’s Deli; Modern Food Center; Zero Otto Nove, and more. In addition, neighborhood businesses will be donating a percentage of sales of specialty items to WCS Run for the Wild throughout April.

This year’s 5k-run/walk takes place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 and is dedicated to saving lions, their habitat and other wildlife. The Wildlife Conservation Soci-ety works across Africa and in the native range of lions in places such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, and Nigeria’s Yankari National Park.

Participants are encouraged to seek indi-vidual sponsors for their run, and all adult (and senior) participants are required to raise a minimum of at least $30 in order to participate. Prizes will be awarded to those who meet various fundraising goals with the top prize being a breakfast at the Bronx zoo and a special animal experience. Visit www.wcs.runforthewild.org for the details.

Chabad series on the Art of Marriage

A provocative new series of classes on the secrets of successful marriage will take place, Sunday, April 29th - June 10th, at Chabad of Riverdale, 535 West 246th Street. Regardless of marital status, all are invited to attend the six-session course, presented by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) and taught by Rabbi Levi Y. Shemtov, spiritual leader of Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale and Director of the JLI Riverdale Chapter.

The Art of Marriage will go far beyond platitudes, to cover topics at the heart of modern marriage. Does marriage still serve any purpose at all? How far should one go to make a marriage work? When is divorce the best option?

Included as well are Jewish bedroom secrets, from ancient texts, on how to in-crease intimacy in marital relationships.

Like all JLI programs, The Art of Mar-

riage is designed to appeal to students at all levels of Jewish knowledge, includ-ing those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

Chabad of Riverdale has secured a spon-sor who will assist in funding anyone who needs a scholarship to attend this course. Please call 718-549-1100 x 10, or visit www.myJLI.com for registration and other course-related information. JLI courses are presented in Riverdale in conjunction with Chabad-Lubavitch of Riverdale.

Rabbi Levi Y. Shemtov of Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale will conduct the sessions on Six Sunday Mornings, 9:45 - 11:15am, Apr 29th - Jun 10th (No Class May 27 - Shavuot).

Free Yoga, Tennis & Fitness Walking Instruction in the Bronx

City Parks Foundation welcomes all New Yorkers, 60 and over, to participate in CityParks Seniors Fitness. The Spring 2012 season of Seniors Fitness programs will begin the week of April 30, 2012, and will offer free tennis lessons, yoga instruction and fitness walking in 14 parks across the city.

All activities in this eight-week fitness program take place twice a week at each location through June 22nd. Participants are encouraged to maintain regular atten-

dance to maximize health benefits.CityParks Seniors Fitness has served

over 3,400 participants since it began in 2006 and aims to keep neighborhood parks a great place for community activity. The program encourages New Yorkers to maximize the health benefits of staying ac-tive at all ages. Even in moderate amounts, exercise can help participants feel better, maintain or lose weight, reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, and minimize the symptoms of arthritis.

For more information about City Parks Foundation’s free Seniors Fitness programs, please call the Sports Depart-ment at (718) 760-6999. All equipment and instruction is provided free of charge. Sessions are one hour, twice a week.

The following is a detailed schedule for CityParks Seniors Fitness for Spring 2012

Pelham Bay ParkYoga - Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9AM

- Middletown Rd & Stadium AveSoundview ParkWalking - Mondays/Wednesdays at

9AM- Lafayette Ave between Boynton & Colgate

Yoga - Mondays/Wednesdays at 10AM- Lafayette Ave between Boynton & Colgate

Van Cortlandt Park/WoodlawnYoga - Mondays/Wednesdays at 9 AM

- Woodlawn Tennis Courts Jerome Ave & E 233rd St

Walking - Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9 AM -Woodlawn Tennis Courts Jerome Ave & E 233rd St

As in all of its programming and activi-ties, City Parks Foundation partners with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to improve neighborhood parks and the communities they serve.

For more details, please visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.

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ril 26, 20127

Music scholarship awards available

The Riverdale YM-YWHA is accepting applications for David Froehlich Music Scholarship Awards for the 2012-2013 school year. To qualify, students must be between 8 and 15 years old and either live or study in Riverdale. The scholarship honors the memory of David Froehlich, who had a passion for many genres of vocal and instrumental music. His ap-preciation inspired his family to create an endowment that would provide financial assistance to other gifted students as they pursue their own musical destiny.

The Riverdale Y manages the endow-ment. The application packet, available at RiverdaleY.org., must be submitted by May 14 to Allen Sher, director of the Y’s Rhoda Grundman Music School. Eligible students will be contacted about a prelimi-nary screening or audition in early June. Final auditions will be held on June 10, and scholarship winners will be notified by the end of June. Funds will be distrib-uted in the fall of 2012.

The David Froehlich Scholarship Award program has helped hundreds of musical enthusiasts continue their les-sons and become more skilled on their chosen instruments. For more informa-tion, contact Allen Sher at 718-548-8200, extension 256.

Service to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day

On Friday, April 27th at 7:30 p.m. Congregation Shaarei Shalom’s Shabbat evening service will be enhanced with special music and song to mark Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.

This celebratory service will be led by Rabbi Steven D. Burton and Cantor Daniel Pincus. Rabbi Burton will speak about Israel on this sixty-fourth anniversary of its founding. Cantor Pincus will play his guitar and tof (middle eastern drum) as this especially joyful and participatory service will be infused with the sounds of Israel.

The service will be conducted in the congregation’s sanctuary at 5919 River-dale Avenue. The community is warmly invited to Join the Experience!

Congregation Shaarei Shalom is a Reform Jewish synagogue. It offers a contemporary and participatory worship experience and prides itself on its inclu-siveness of all members of the Riverdale

community, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, race, age, or creed. It is dedicated to embracing the diversity within the Reform Jewish movement.

For further information about the congregation, this service, membership, its Religious School, or any of the many adult program offerings, please contact the congregation at (718) 796-0305, e-mail the congregation at: shaareishalomriverdale@gmail.com or visit its website at www.shaareishalomriverdale.org

St. Margaret’s Church to hold Special Eucharistic Adoration

Special Eucharistic Adoration will take place at Saint Margaret of Cortona Parish, 6000 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY on Friday, May 4 to Saturday, May 5. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed after the 12 Noon Mass on Friday for a twenty four hour period concluding on Saturday, May 5 prior to the 12 Noon Mass.

This is a special spiritual time for the par-ish. Sign up sheets for adoration time will be available in the vestibule of the church. It is a fitting way to celebrate the month of Mary and the special Easter season.

For further info contact Saint Marga-ret’s Rectory at 718 549-8053.

Israel Independence Day at Hebrew Institute

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., in conjunction with The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, invites the community to attend Israel Independence Day Festival on Thursday, April 26, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The festival, with the theme ‘Exploring Israel,’ will be held on the grounds of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway.

Join in for a day full of food, music, rides and lots of fun. In case of rain, all the fun moves indoors. For more informa-tion, call 718-590-6116.

Adoption Support Meeting at Riverdale Y

The Adoptive Parents Committee, a non profit all volunteer informational educa-tional parent support group for couples and singles who have adopted and for those seek-ing information about adoption, will hold their next support meeting on Wednesday, May 2 at 7pm at the Riverdale Y. The Y is located at 5625 Arlington Avenue.

They will discuss the path to a suc-cessful independent adoption. Topics to include emotions and legalities in dealing with birth parents, advertising, red flags, waiting periods and cost. Anyone who is interested in adoption is invited to this meeting.

For further information call 212 304 8479 or go to www.adoptiveparents.org

Pianist Stewart Goodyear to perform with BAE

Before embarking on his Beethoven sonata marathon in Toronto, pianist Stewart Goodyear will headline the Bronx Arts Ensemble’s Sunday, April 29th 3 pm chamber music concert at the home of Dr. Peter and Ute Gouras at 5225 Sycamore Avenue in the Bronx, where he will play Beethoven’s “Archduke” Trio in B Flat Ma-jor, Op. 97. The concert will also feature the world premiere of “a/part” by Adam Himes. Tickets to the April 29 concert are $25 and include an intermission reception to meet the artists. http://bronxartsen-semble.org or 718.601.7399.

Known for imagination, a graceful, elegant style and exquisite technique, Stewart Goodyear is an accomplished young artist whose career spans many genres - concerto soloist, chamber musi-cian, recitalist and composer. Stewart has been noted for his innovation and is one of the rare classical musicians to always improvise his cadenzas when performing concertos from the classical period. He has been repeatedly praised for both the

inspiring individuality and appreciation of the composer’s own style that he con-veys in every performance.

Adam Hines has been passionate about music since he was a young boy. Adam be-gan studying piano at age 6, added violin at age 10 and started composing when he was 12. He has had his work performed by the Ethel String Quartet, American Composers Orchestra, Boston University Tanglewood Institute Orchestra, Cleve-land Chamber Symphony, Atlantic Music Festival Orchestra and the principals of the New York Youth Symphony, among oth-ers. Adam currently attends the Oberlin Conservatory of Music for composition under the instruction of Lewis Nielson, where he received a Conservatory Dean’s Scholarship Award. He also attends Ober-lin College, where he studies creative writing. Adam is a member of ASCAP and Society of Composers Inc.

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Thursday, April 26RiverdaleSINGING & READING11:30 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

Emily Ellison introduces readers to the great world of exciting picture, story, and song books full of music and sound. Children will revel in the joy of reading while singing, dancing, and stomping their feet, and experiment with various rhythm instruments. For children ages 2 to 6 years old with parent/caregiver. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

RiverdaleCINEMA THURSDAY2 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

Cinema Thursdays at the Riverdale Library presents poetic films in recognition of National Poetry Month. Featuring the film Shakespeare in Love on April 16th @ 2:00 p.m. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

RiverdaleCB8 MEETING7:30 p.m. Community Board 85676 Riverdale Avenue

Meeting of the Education Committee of Community Board 8. For more information, call 718-884-3959.

Friday, April 27RiverdaleTAI CHI10 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

This tai chi (Sun Style) includes agile steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. Tai chi has been show to reduce pain and stiffness, increase flexibility, enhance muscle strength, improve concentration and memory, and help people cope with stress and depression. This is an adult program. Registration is required. Please call the branch at 718-549-1212 or send an e-mail to Riverdale@nypl.org to reserve your spot. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

KingsbridgeBILINGUAL BIRDIES10:30 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library291 West 231st Street

A foreign language and live music program for children ages newborn to five years old with parent/caregiver. The bilingual musicians teach through live music, movement, puppetry and games. Each session ends with a lively bubble dance party! Children learn basic vocabulary and short phrases while playing with instruments and fun props. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Spuyten DuyvilMIGHTY ACTION THEATRE WORKSHOP3:30 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library650 West 235th Street

Takes young actors on an awesome, self-empowering theatrical adventure. Racing through a menu of voice and movement skills, actors write group texts, learn choral actions and become collaborators in an instant theatre company. Participants stand in an imaginary spotlight where they may clearly speak their own truths by writing lines and playing themselves. Each session includes a short performance. Recommended for ages 6 to 11 years old. For more informa-tion, call 718-796-1202.

RiverdaleSHABBAT PROGRAM7:30 p.m. Congregation Shaarei Shalom5919 Riverdale Avenue

Shabbat evening service will be enhanced with spe-cial music and song to mark Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Rabbi Burton will speak about Israel on this sixty-fourth anniversary of its founding. Cantor Pincus will play his guitar and tof (middle eastern drum) as this especially joyful and participatory service will be infused with the sounds of Israel. For more information, call 718-796-0305.

Saturday, April 28RiverdalePOETRY AND TEA2:30 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

Come and join us for an afternoon of poetry and treats. Bring your favorite poem to share or impress others with your original work. Sign up is at 2:20pm. Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be available. For ages 13 to 18 years. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Sunday, April 29RiverdaleVICTIMS’ SERVICE1 p.m. St. Gabriel’s Church Walsh Hall3250 Arlington Avenue

Saint Gabriel’s Prison Ministry will be sponsoring a Victims’ Service. Members of the community are invited to attend. For more information, call 718-548-4470.

RiverdaleARTIST RECEPTION2 p.m. Ethical Culture Society4450 Fieldston Road

Elaine Eklof Drootin and Carol Frank, members of the Riverdale Art Association will exhibit their paintings during April. The Reception will be Sunday, April 29. For more information, call 718-548-4445 or visit www.riverdaleartassociation.org

Monday, April 30RiverdaleCOFFEE HOUR10:30 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

Start off your week with a cup of coffee at the Riverdale Branch. Read newspapers , catch up on current events, or just enjoy a friendly game of Chess. All in our Community Room. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Spuyten DuyvilBOOK TALK11 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library650 West 235th Street

An Adult Reading Club. Come share your reading experi-ences with other readers. Each participant talks briefly about a book, fiction or non-fiction recently read. Titles and ideas are the result of this happy exchange. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

RiverdaleARTHRITIS BASICS FOR CHANGE12 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

The New York Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation will be at the Riverdale Branch to give a one hour talk, covering the basics of arthritis, exercise, diet, talking to your doctor, types of medications and alternative therapies. As the conclusion of the program, participants will receive a free ABC workbook. To register, call 718-549-1212 or email Riverdale@nypl.org.

Van CortlandtBIG TOP SCIENCE3:30 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library3874 Sedgwick Avenue

Come one, come all and behold: the science circus is about to begin. Step into our three rings of fun as we present a series of chemistry and physics demos that explain how a bed of nails can provide a great night’s sleep or how important balance can be to a tight rope walker. For ages 5 and older. For more information, call 718-543-5150.

Tuesday, May 1KingsbridgeNOISE COMPLIANCE WORKSHOP3:30 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library291 West 231st Street

An informational presentation on compliance with the New York City Noise Code, including: requirements for commercial music, construction, air conditioning & ventilation equipment and more. To reserve your space, call (718) 884-3959 or email brxcb8@optonline.net

Wednesday, May 2Van CortlandtARTS & CRAFTS3:30 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library3874 Sedgwick Avenue

Come to the Library and participate in our Arts & Crafts projects. Parental supervision is required for children 5 years and under. For more information, call 718-543-5150.

RiverdaleADOPTION SUPPORT MEETING7 p.m. Riverdale YM-YWHA5625 Arlington Avenue

The Adoptive Parents Committee, a non profit all volunteer informational educational parent support group for couples and singles who have adopted and for those seeking infor-mation about adoption, will hold their next support meeting. For further information call 212 304 8479 or go to www.adoptiveparents.org

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By MIAWLING LAMThe $54 million Broadway Plaza shop-

ping mall has moved a step closer to reality after the Bronx Borough Board gave the project a unanimous tick of approval.

All 10 members—local elected officials and the Community Board 8 chairman—approved the sale of the 80,000-square-foot parcel at last Thursday’s meeting.

The two-story mall, to be built by na-tional developers Equity One, is slated to open in mid-2014 in the busy corridor of West 230th Street between Broadway and the Major Deegan Expressway.

CB8 chair Robert Fanuzzi said he was compelled to vote in favor of the land sale because it was an “intelligently sized project” that would enhance the retail offerings in Kingsbridge.

“It’s very much complementing the scale of Broadway, and furthermore, it does not bring in businesses that will over-run existing businesses that have made substantial investments here,” he said.

“It really will be an anchor for the revitalization of upper Broadway, which has been waiting for this for a very long time—12 years, to be exact.”

The unanimous vote now paves the way for the real estate transaction to proceed, with city officials projecting the deal to close within two months.

In the meantime, Equity One executive vice-president of development Michael Berfield said he was forging ahead with negotiations to recruit four national big-box merchants to the mall.

“A lot of retailers are interested, so we’re very comfortable that the leasing will move at a good pace,” he told the Review before proceedings kicked off.

“I’m very confident we’ll be able to announce something before construction starts [in the fall or early next year].”

The latest developments come two weeks after the community expressed grave concerns about the site’s proposed traffic arrangements.

Under the controversial plan, three lanes of westbound traffic on West 230th Street will be brought to a complete stand-still while 72-foot-long tractor-trailers back into the loading dock.

But Berfield once again defended the traffic proposal. He has previously said he expects future tenants to receive a total of 12 deliveries each week, all processed during off-hours.

“The reality is, we’ve been fortunate enough to have done this a few times and seen what happens in reality, as op-posed to what everyone thinks is going to happen,” he said.

“Nine times out of 10, it’s signifi-cantly less than whatever everyone an-ticipates.”

Equity One currently owns around 165 properties, most of them shopping centers.

As a compromise, Berfield said Depart-ment of Transportation authorities have committed to conducting a comprehen-sive traffic study in 2015—once the mall is opened—when issues concerning the loading dock and the streets surrounding the site will no doubt be addressed.

Currently, the intersection at Verveelen Place and Broadway—which will be the entrance and exit for the mall’s 130-space parking garage—is unregulated.

“Until it’s operating, you really can’t

Broadway Plaza gets OK from Boro Board

Continued on Page 19

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Continued on Page 12

Are you searching for the career of your dreams or do you just need a change? Check out our Winning Wednesday series that offers the essential tools to help you land your dream job. All events are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.

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COURSE OVERVIEW: Bedroom Secrets Sacred Space: No Trespassing! Make Up or Break Up Understanding Your Partner's Needs

By PAULETTE SCHNEIDERDebates on Israel can get pretty hot,

but the tone will be cool and reasoned when journalist Ronen Bergman and Rabbi Irving Greenberg discuss “Israel vs. Iran: Is War Imminent?”at the Riverdale Y’s inaugural Rose Dialogue Series event next Tuesday, May 1.

The talk begins at 8 p.m., followed by a 9 p.m. dessert reception. Seats are still available for an exclusive pre-dialogue dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Yeshiva University president Richard Joel will moderate the discussion.

Dr. Bergman, an award-winning in-vestigative journalist who promotes free-dom of information, is a senior political and military analyst for the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot and a New York Times contributor who tackles controversial is-sues like Israel’s release last year of more than a thousand Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit, a soldier held captive by Hamas.

Bergman’s books have topped the non-fiction best-seller lists in Israel, and his 2008 “The Secret War With Iran: The 30-Year Clandestine Struggle Against the World’s Most Dangerous Terrorist Power” was translated into English.

His January 25 Times magazine section cover story, “Will Israel Attack Iran?” has been widely quoted. It details three conditions Israel’s defense minister Ehud Barak said must be met before a decision to attack.

“After speaking with many senior Israeli leaders and chiefs of the military and the intelligence,” he states, “I have come to believe that Israel will indeed strike Iran in 2012.”

In an April 11 Times article, “Beware of Faulty Intelligence,” Bergman warns that “both Israel and America should acknowledge that scraps of information cannot serve as the basis for action against Iran, and they should find new criteria for such a decision,” concluding that “a miscalculation could be the worst pos-sible outcome.”

In a Times blog entry, he revealed that he doesn’t discount political motives on the part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the timing of a possible attack on Iran.

Bergman and Rabbi Greenberg will be discussing this topic for the first time next Tuesday.

Riverdalian Rabbi Greenberg is a revered, influential and clearly open-minded thinker in the Jewish community. His scholarship on the Holocaust as a pivotal point in history and his analysis of religious pluralism have yielded exten-sive writings, including his 2004 book, “For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter Between Judaism and Christianity.”

He has enriched the Jewish community through his work in far-reaching educa-tional and cultural institutions. A Harvard Ph.D., Rabbi Greenberg was chairman of the United States Holocaust Museum from 2000 to 2002. He founded the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (CLAL) in 1974 and served as its president until 1997. As president of the Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation, he was involved in the development of Birthright Israel, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education and the 92nd Street Y’s

Israel vs. Iran dialogue at the Y

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ril 26, 201211Precinct expects boost in police ranks

By MIAWLING LAMAround 12 new police officers could

be joining the ranks of the 5-0 next month.

Commanding officer of the 50th Precinct Captain Kevin Burke revealed the projected boost in manpower at this month’s Community Council meeting.

He said although the figure was subject to change, he was quietly confident the precinct would receive a dozen new officers from the NYPD’s Impact Unit.

“Impact Unit are cops who have come out of the police academy,

go to high-crime areas and are cops you see on the street,” he explained.

“They go in there for about two to three years, then new cops come in and replace them, and cops who have been doing that assignment get sent to different precincts. So we’re projected to receive 12, which would be a nice bump to us.”

Captain Burke said he has not yet decided how to deploy the possible new recruits but predicted the bolstered ranks would make a real difference and improve the quality of life for residents.

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iPhone murderanything in particular that they need,” she said.

Relatives said Yang, who is a graduate of the Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy, also volunteered as a former Sunday school teacher at the St. John Nam Parish on White Plains Road in The Bronx.

A memorial was held at the church last Saturday, while a mass was held on Monday.

The funeral service, which attracted more than 65 family members and friends, was conducted in Korean and lasted an hour before a patrol car from the 50th Precinct led the procession down White Plains Road.

Family friend and St. John Nam Parish secretary Mark Lee said the victim’s par-ents tried to call their son when he didn’t

arrive home at the usual time.“There was no answer,” he said. “About

12:40 a.m., the police came and told them what happened.

“There is a lot of crime in The Bronx. But he lived in Riverdale. It’s a little better over there….It’s shocking.”

Meanwhile, locals have also expressed disbelief over the shooting, with many saying such crimes rarely occurred in Riverdale.

“Why, why, why?” asked a tearful Leslie Maron, who lives across the street from the crime scene and said she would often see Yang in the neighborhood.

“What a shame, all for an iPhone. I would have guessed this would have hap-pened anywhere but here. I don’t know what goes on in this world anymore. I really don’t.”

Neighbor Sophie Reitzes described the case as a real tragedy. “They took his life for that junk? I’ve lived here for 55 years

and nothing like this has ever happened before,” she said.

“It’s sad what we’ve become, and all over a stinkin’ little gadget.”

Councilman G. Oliver Koppell said the slaying was definitely an unusual case for the peaceful neighborhood.

“It’s very distressing. It’s the first time that I can remember anything like this ever happening,” he said by phone last week. “We’ve had robberies and street robberies but never where someone has died.”

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said he was “shocked and saddened by the sense-less murder” and urged police to step up their patrols in and around Ewen Park, while Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. condemned the shooting and re-iterated his pledge to take as many illegal guns off the city’s streets as possible.

According to the NYPD, iPhone and Ipad thefts have soared 44 percent this year. As of Sunday, April 15, 1,196 people had reported

their devices stolen in 2012, compared to 831 cases reported to authorities over the corresponding period last year.

Legislators are already devising ways to combat the crime wave and bring the thefts to a screeching halt.

Earlier this month, U.S Senator Charles Schumer teamed up with NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and announced that major cell phone carriers would set up an integrated database of unique cell phone identifiers.

Under the plan, cell phone companies would be able to disable stolen cell phones permanently by accessing the device’s individual 15- to 17-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity number.

A similar industry program, rolled out in Australia in September 2003, rendered stolen devices worthless as the phones would no longer work on the nation’s networks.

--Additional reporting by David Greene

Continued from Page 1

Israel vs. IranContinued from Page 10

Makor/Steinhardt Center.He was also Riverdale Jewish Center’s

rabbi from 1965 to 1972. Rabbi Greenberg said he considers Berg-

man “guarded” about his personal views on whether Israel should attack Iran.

“[Bergman has] done important re-search and publication in this matter, but he’s been much more guarded about where he personally is. You could argue that the implications of the research are that it’s not the ideal or right thing for Israel to do now. But he has not been outspoken,” Greenberg said.

“I think it’s fair to say that my posi-tion is—no one can be in favor of or happy about going to war—but I think I’m more sympathetic to the concerns about Israel.”

Rabbi Greenberg considers Iran’s threats very real, not rhetorical.

“I find it beyond troubling—outra-geous in some ways—that sixty years after the Holocaust, this could be a plausible scenario…. I feel somewhat resentful that the world let it get this far—to think of the fact that such a government can have a bomb and come to power with such claims that Israel be wiped out.”

He noted Bergman’s reporting on charges that Netanyahu and Barak are really motivated by political concerns.

“From my point of view, politically and militarily, this is a real threat, and it’s a form of trivializing and dodging the issue to impute political motives as the main factor.”

He disputes the image of Netanyahu as “a wild and crazy unscrupulous per-son who’s looking for an excuse to go to war.”

On the local level, Rabbi Greenberg praised the Riverdale Y for creating the Rose Dialogue Series and said that this and future offerings would likely stimulate further conversation in the community.

“The Y wants to be a place where there will be a serious ongoing exchange between people,” he said. “Riverdale is about as serious and sophisticated and cosmopolitan a community as you can get in New York City.”

“I think the Y is a place not just for Jews,” he continued. “It’s a place not only for gym and for children and old-age programs, but a place where people can have active and exciting dialogues or arguments about important issues.”

For tickets, visit riverdaley.org. To at-tend the dialogue and dessert reception only, admission is $72. To attend the dinner as well, admission is $250.

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Thursday, April 26YonkersKEEPING BEES IN THE CITY6:30 p.m. Beczak Environmental Education Center35 Alexander Street

Did you know that city bees are healthier and produce better honey? Come learn why, meet beekeeper Douglass Decandia of the Food Bank of Westchester and find out if beekeeping is legal in your city. Features Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us - and award-winning film about the global bee decline and the philosophy of sustainable beekeeping. Cosponsored by Beczak Environmental Education Center, Groundwork Hudson Valley / Science Barge, Slow Food, and The City of Yonkers Green Policy Task Force. For more information, call 914-377-1900 x 13.

TuckahoeITALIAN CINEMA6:30 p.m. Westchester Italian Cultural CenterOne Generoso Pope Place

Enjoy some of the best productions of Italian cinema. Refreshments are provided prior to the screening. Considered by many to be Frederico Fellini’s most powerful film, La Strada tells the story of the bubbly, waiflike Gelsomina who is sold to the gruff, bullying circus strongman Zampanò as a servant. Treated no better than an animal, Gelsomina nonetheless falls in love with the brute Zampanò. After joining a small circus they meet Il Matto (the Fool), a clown who enchants Gelsomina and relentlessly taunts Zampanò, whose inability to control his hatred leads to the film’s fateful end. In Italian with English subtitles, 108 minutes. Black and white. Must register in advance and prepay. Members $10, Non-Members $20. For more information, call 914-771-8700.

Friday, April 27White PlainsMUSICAL7:30 p.m. Archbishop Stepinac High School950 Mamaroneck Avenue

Drama Club’s 101st production, “The Phantom of the Opera,” the longest running Broadway classic by Andrew Ll-loyd Weber. Performances will be on Fridays and Saturdays, April 27 and 28 and May 4 and 5. There will also be a matinee performance at 1:30 PM, Sunday, May 6. Ticket Cost: $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and children under the age of 12. To order tickets, call (914) 946-4800, Ext. 243.

Saturday, April 28OssiningSPRING CLEANING10 a.m. Teatown Lake Reservation1600 Spring Valley Road

Nature has awakened from a long winter’s nap and is sprucing up for spring! On this walk and talk discover some rituals of spring. Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to make a reservation.

BronxvilleMUSIC1 p.m. Sarah Lawrence CollegeMarshall Field Room 1

Senior Recital showcasing jazz vocalist and pianist, Kris-tiana Holt. For more information, call 914-395-2412.

BronxvillePOETRY READING7 p.m. Sarah Lawrence CollegeHeimbold Visual Arts Center

Ed Hirsch and Brenda Shaughnessy will read their works. For more information, call 914-395-2412.

Sunday, April 29ScarsdaleWEEKEND STORYTIME11 a.m. Greenburgh Nature Center99 Dromore Road

Join Naturalist Greg Wechgelaer for Storytime, based on our popular Nature Bugs class held weekly on Monday afternoons. If you haven’t been able to make it during the week, here’s your chance. The hour includes a story, animals, craft, and activity, all based on a common nature theme. Recommended for children ages 2-6. Members $5, Non-Members $8 ($25 for family). For more information, call 914-723-3470.

BronxvilleTHEATRE1 p.m. Sarah Lawrence CollegeRengers Garden

An outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night,

as part of Mayfair. Directed By Michael Early. Jealousy, mistaken identity, cross-dressing, fights and duels. One of the great Shakespeare comedies. For more information, call 914-395-2412.

IrvingtonCHORAL CONCERT3 p.m. Irvington High School40 North Broadway

Brahms’ “Ein Deutsches Requiem”, Two-Piano Version, will be performed by the Westchester Choral Society, Frank Nemhauser conductor, in celebration of their 70th Anniversary season, to be followed by a gala reception. Tickets at door or in advance are $25/Students with ID$10. For tickets and information go to: www.westchesterchoralsociety.org

BronxvilleMUSIC6 p.m. Sarah Lawrence CollegeReisinger Concert Hall

Sarah Lawrence Chamber Choir and Women’s Vocal En-semble performs Holst’s “Spring and Summer”, “The Pelican” by Randal Thompson, and more. Patrick Romano, director. For more information, call 914-395-2412.

Monday, April 30SomersCONCEPTUAL ART6 p.m. Somers Library80 Primrose Street

Illustrated with numerous and beautiful photos of conceptual art pieces, this presentation will challenge and expand one’s preconceptions about beauty and art, and will open up new possibilities for what can be considered art. Register online at www.somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717.

BronxvilleMUSIC7 p.m. Sarah Lawrence CollegeMarshall Field Room 1

Sarah Lawrence’s finest jazz ensembles swing in Marshall Field. Glenn Alexander, director. For more information, call 914-395-2412.

Tuesday, May 1BronxvilleMUSIC1:30 p.m. Sarah Lawrence CollegeReisinger Concert Hall

The Cygnus Ensemble, Artists in Residence and award recipients from the Library of Congress, perform composi-tions by SLC student composers. For more information, call 914-395-2412.

Wednesday, May 2OssiningSPRING BIRDS7 a.m. Teatown Lake Reservation1600 Spring Valley Road

The sounds of spring are all around us. Join Charlie Roberto, Teatown’s own birding guru, to look and listen for the bright birds of spring. Please note this program is for adults only. FREE. For more information, call 914-762-2912 x110.

YonkersBOOK CLUB MEETING1 p.m. Riverfront LibraryOne Larkin Center

The Riverfront Book Club will meet. Join Librarian Jody Maier in a discussion of Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas. For more information, contact Jody Maier, at 914-337-1500, ext. 492.

Mt. VernonJAZZ1 p.m. St. Paul’s Church897 S. Columbus Avenue

Please come to St. Paul’s N.H.S. for a spirited performance by the Jazz Quartet of the Music Conservatory at Purchase. For more information, contact David Osborn, 914-667-4116.

BronxvilleMUSIC17:30:00 Sarah Lawrence CollegeSouth Lawn

Sarah Lawrence’s talented Bluegrass group, Marshall Field & Company, plays open air on the South Lawn. Jonathan T. King directs. For more information, call 914-395-2412.

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Hebrew Home at Riverdale seeks volunteers

The Hebrew Home at Riverdale, located at 5901 Palisade Avenue in Riverdale, is currently seeking volunteers who would like to share their talents and time to help others. Available opportunities include, but are not limited to, reading to residents, administrative office tasks, helping with crafts projects and much more. Volunteers are also needed to assist with pro-grams of the Derfner Judaica Museum, Hebrew Home Art Collection and Archives. Hours are flexible and assignments can be short term or ongoing. The Home provides orientation, train-ing and continuing education for all volunteers. Volunteers who commit to three hours per day will be provided with a free lunch.

For further information, please contact the Volunteer Department at 718-581-1404.

CB8 offers noise compliance workshop for businesses

How does the New York City Noise Code Affect Your Business?

An informational presentation on compliance with the New York City Noise Code, including: requirements for commercial music, construction, air conditioning & ventilation equipment and more will be held on Tuesday, May 1, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Kingsbridge Library, 291 West 231st Street.

All business owners in the Bronx Com-munity Board #8 area are invited.

Sponsored by Bronx Community Board #8, NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), NYPD 50th Precinct, and Kingsbridge Business Improvement District

NYPD 50th Precinct Community Affairs officers will be in attendance and a Q&A session will follow the presentation.

To reserve your space, call (718) 884-3959 or email brxcb8@optonline.net

Dinowitz endorses raising the minimum wage

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has again endorsed raising the minimum wage in New York. Legislation to do so is expected to pass the Assembly shortly. Neither the State Sen-ate nor the Governor have yet committed to raising the minimum wage.

‘The minimum wage in New York, among the most expensive places in the country to live, is the same as the federal minimum wage of $7.25. This is unac-ceptable. The minimum wage in New York has not kept up with inflation. The minimum wage enacted in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the administra-tion of Franklin Delano Roosevelt was intended to ensure that low-wage workers would earn enough to be able to afford at least the most basic necessities. The

minimum wage no longer does that.‘New York should be a leader. We should

have the highest minimum wage in the country, not the lowest. Putting a few more dollars in the pockets of low-wage earners not only helps them, it also helps the economy because this is money that will be spent and put back into the economy. Currently, a person earning the minimum wage makes around $15,000 per year, hardly enough to live on. The Assembly’s bill not only would raise the amount to $8.50 but would also index it to inflation.

‘Many business interests as well as most of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have opposed raising the minimum wage, us-ing the false claim that it would hurt business. This is simply not the case and never was. I would suggest that those CEO’s and other executives who oppose this legislation might want to consider lowering some of their own outrageous salaries. That would be an excellent way to cut down on business expenses.’

New direction for the Simon Senior Center

Senior Services at Riverdale YM & YWHA have taken a new direction with the hiring of a new Director for the Simon Senior Center, Sharon Asherman. Ms. Asherman served as the Senior Center Director at the YM & YWHA of Washing-

ton Heights and Inwood for the past ten years. By hiring a licensed social worker with twenty-five years of experience in health care and community based social work, the Riverdale YM & YWHA hopes to revitalize the Senior Center.

According to Ms. Asherman, ‘the key is to enhance the quality service to our current constituents while making the Se-nior Center an inviting place for the next generation of older adults.’ Currently, the average age of participants in our senior center is 85 years old. Ms Asherman is hoping to change that. According to Ms Asherman, ‘we need to continue to serve the frail elderly while providing age and generation appropriate activities to younger people.’ The Senior Center will have an improved lunch program, an in-creased emphasis on health and wellness, and full-time social work services.

The Riverdale Y has formed an affilia-tion with the YM & YWHA of Washing-ton Heights to exchange ideas and share services. The agencies will soon share a UJA funded program offering personal care and housekeeping services for its homebound clients on a fee for service sliding scale basis.

For more information about programs and services at the Simon Senior Center please call Vicki Matalon, Assistant Di-rector at (212) 548-8200 x224 or Leora Garritano, Social Worker at x204.

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JOEL PAL CECILIA McNALLY Production Manager Office Manager

ROBERT NILVA MIAWLING LAM Marketing Director Associate EditorNote our New Address:

5752 Fieldston RoadBronx, New York 10471

(718) 543-5200FAX: (718) 543-4206

STAFF: Robert Lebowitz, Brendan McHugh, Richard Reay, Paulette Schneider, Lloyd Ultan, Daniel R. Wolf

ANDREW WOLF, Editor and Publisher

Hail, Hail: Livery cabs coming to a street near youBy MIAWLING LAM

Bronx residents will be per-mitted legally to hail livery cabs as early as June, following a his-toric vote to approve the city’s outer-borough taxi plan.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission approved the creation of a new class of livery cars following a 7-2 vote last Thursday.

Under the plan, the city will sell 18,000 outer-borough livery hail licenses, permitting those drivers to pick up street hails in northern Manhattan and in the four other boroughs.

The first 6,000 licenses will be sold for $1,500 each in June and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Each license will be valid for three years.

Participating drivers must be affiliated with a base, which in turn needs to purchase a separate base license for $3,000.

Currently, black cabs can legally pick up only passengers who call ahead and arrange for service—a rule that many openly flout despite the threat of a hefty $350 fine.

According to the TLC, around 100,000 illegal street hails occur each day in New York, including 19 every hour at the intersection of Grand Concourse and East 149th Street.

The vote of approval came a day after TLC officials appeared before Community Board 8’s traffic and transportation com-mittee last Tuesday to present details of the plan.

TLC external affairs and analyst Justine Johnson said the change means New Yorkers would be able to legally hail livery cabs just as they currently do with yellow taxis.

“The goal of the five-borough taxi plan is to expand street hail service in northern Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island,” she said.

“We are trying to meet that mid-dle ground of allowing the yellows that have invested lots of money in their medallion and are giving them their protected rights.”

Johnson said once the licens-es are granted, licensed livery cabs will be able to pick up street hails in the outer boroughs and

in Manhattan, only areas north of West 110th Street and East 96th Street.

They will not be permitted to offer prearranged or hail service elsewhere in Manhat-tan, as it is prime yellow cab territory. Livery cabs will also be banned from picking up street passengers at JFK or LaGuardia airports but will be allowed to offer prearranged service.

Officials estimate there are currently 50,000 livery cabs on the road, and although only 18,000 licenses are being made available, the city is unfazed.

“Because it’s a voluntary program, we see some people are going to want to see what happens first,” Johnson told the modest crowd at last week’s meeting.

“We don’t think that every-one is going to want to purchase these.”

Before the newly licensed outer-borough cabs hit the streets, they will be forced to install credit card and debit card readers, meters, GPS units and a roof light. Vehicles must also be painted in a uniform color, which officials have not yet decided upon.

Yellow cab owners, who typically pay more than $1 million for their medallions, have already filed a lawsuit, claiming the city’s plan is un-constitutional.

According to city officials, 97 percent of yellow taxi trips begin in Manhattan and at airports.

Murder most foul‘In the nearly twenty years that this newspaper has been published,

we can recall no incident as tragic, no crime so despicable as the cold-blooded murder of Hwang Yang. That there are seemingly no clues or clear path to resolving this case is doubly disturbing.

Hwang Yang was a graduate of the Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, the school that this newspaper was largely responsible for creating. So in a way he was our child. In fact he could be anyone’s child here. He was a good kid coming home late at night from his job working at one of New York’s premier restaurants. From all appearances, Hwang Yang was a striving go-getter from an immigrant household, at the cusp of fulfilling his and his family’s American dream.

This could be any young person in our neighborhood, returning perhaps from his or her job, maybe a date, or visiting with friends. Wearing, as so many of us do, the telltale earbuds that signal the presence of an iPod or iPhone, he became a target to a predator so cold-hearted, that he was willing to end this promising young man’s life over an iPhone.

The scene of the crime was a quiet block on a residential street, in what is presumably one of the city’s safest and most desirable neighborhoods. If so much blood can be shed here over so little, is anyone really safe?

Good public policy suggests that this awful crime was totally avoidable. We can’t understand why stolen cell phones aren’t immediately and permanently disabled, making them valueless, much as stolen E-Z Passes are. This is the question rightly raised by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and apparently has been raised repeatedly by Senator Chuck Schumer.

More must be done. A priority must be the capture and conviction of the murderer. Until that happens, none of us are truly secure. Consideration should be given to raising reward money to provide incentive for those who might have information that could lead to the capture and conviction of Hwang Yang’s killer to come forward. And a suitable memorial should be established so that this promis-ing young life is not forgotten.

Betrayal of TrustMuch has been written in these pages these past two weeks about

the efforts of the Kingsbridge/Riverdale/Van Cortlandt Development Corporation (KRVCDC) to interfere in the civic and political life of our neighbors in the Woodlawn community.

No matter how benign they appear, this incident reveals the reality of a partisan political group attempting to co-opt commu-nity organizations and concerns to advance their own agenda. And everyone that this group has touched has become contaminated by the stench of political corruption.

We take State Senator Jeff Klein at his word that he was not a participant in the failed hostile takeover of the Woodlawn Taxpay-ers group.

Klein was convinced to help in efforts to organize a merchants group in Woodlawn, only to see these efforts subverted and tuned into a naked grab of political power by KRVCDC. When the coup attempt went sour, Klein was left holding the bag. Now the recipi-ent of much of the community’s ire, he insists that he supports the incumbent leadership in Woodlawn, led by president Christine Sheridan, which if true, shows how his attempts to be cooperative were turned against him and someone he insists he supports.

So insidious is KRVCDC that folks in Woodlawn were left with the impression that KRVCDC Executive Director Tracy Shelton was actually employed by Klein, rather than a political operative with her own agenda.

KRVCDC is similarly trying to organize merchants in Riverdale and their agenda is the same – starting with the election of Clifford Stanton to the City Council. This group poisons everything they touch. They have managed to create a climate of fear in our local schools, and now they are attempting to use our shopkeepers to further their political agenda. Our advice? Touch the third rail of political corruption and deception at your own risk.

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Israel at 64: ‘Chutzpah is the Key’By MICHAEL STEINHARDT

As Israel prepares to begin its 65th year of modern-day independence, there can be no disputing that this nation remains confronted with a myriad of challenges and threats to its very existence. But despite the perceived pall of fear and ten-sion which seem to hang eternally over Israel, I can confidently say, as someone who has been blessed to contribute to its modern renaissance, that Israel’s daily reality is one of hope and promise for a brighter future – a reality in which most Israelis live.

Recently, I appeared in a new film which will soon be showing across the world: “Israel Inside: How a Small Nation Makes a Big Difference.” The film attempts to pin down the elusive key characteristics that make modern Israel a nation unlike all other nations.

I’ll name a few: Chutzpah, Transform-ing Adversity to Advantage and Powerful Family Links. While many explanations have been offered as to why our nation has accomplished so much in such a short amount of time and in a challenging and hostile environment, I believe that the issue of national character and personal determination shouldn’t be overlooked.

Undoubtedly, there is an underly-ing Israeli (or many would say Jewish) characteristic that can only be defined as chutzpah. To the uninitiated, this term is often mistranslated as brashness or even rudeness. Yet, those who truly ap-preciate what motivates chutzpah know that this is a character trait driven by an unwavering determination to get things done – and ensuring that “no” can not be the answer. Chutzpah can also be used positively to challenge the status quo and look for new ways to do things better and reject the skepticism of the naysayers. This is a big part of what makes Israel so successful and unique.

I can certainly relate to this character trait – it’s what made me push ahead when I founded Birthright Israel and since then, it’s a vision that I have been blessed to share with hundreds of thousands of young people since the program’s launch.

In the spirit of this film, Israel’s 64th anniversary should be used to dismiss the notion of a modern Israel solely defined

by the conflict that surrounds it. In little more than half a century, a country has been created that is a burgeoning haven of scientific innovation, a marketplace of ideas that attracts the world’s leading minds and a center of some of the world’s most contributive medical discoveries.

An arid land of desert and harsh climate has literally been transformed into a lead-ing international exporter of thousands of products to the majority of ports around the globe. Despite the global economic downturn, the Israeli export industry continues to grow and in 2011 recorded $89 billion in sales, a 4.5 percent increase over the previous year.

As clichéd as many might think it to be, the truth is that all of Israel is one big family – in times both good and bad. The

concept of a national collective that motivated the establishment of the state demonstrates itself today in the ethos of a national responsibility for fellow citizens and has penetrated into all aspects of Israeli society.

I chided the Jewish establishment when I founded Birthright. My theory was that Jewish identity among American secular Jews would surge if that group felt connected to Israel. And I was right.

Here, I will chide again: Israel’s identity at 64 must be linked to our collective pride in Israel’s accomplishments, and the confidence that we have only revealed a portion of the country’s full national potential. It is for this reason that I threw my lot in with the makers of Israel Inside, JerusalemOnlineU.com, a group of in-

novative American Israelis dedicated to upping the connection of unaffiliated American Jews through paradigm-shifting film education.

Israel gives us many reasons to look forward to another year of our beloved nation’s independence. But most of all we need to remember that now is the time to embrace a new outlook on the Jewish State and ensure that we begin to view her for what she truly is – a nation of remarkable progress, innovation and the very best of downright chutzpah.

Michael Steinhardt is the Founder of Birthright Israel and a member of the advisory Board of JerusalemOnlineU.com. He is featured alongside other leading Jewish and Israeli personalities in the film Israel Inside, produced by JerusalemOnlineU.com. This article was reprinted by permission from the website algemeiner.com.

predict what happens,” he said.“People change traffic routes and peo-

ple adjust and all sorts of things happen, and the traffic jams never materialize. I think it’s one of these things where you’re better off waiting to see.”

The highly anticipated mall is poised for a groundbreaking later this year, with construction scheduled for an early 2014 completion.

Tenants would then have six months to stock their shelves, install fixtures and hire employees before the center opens to eager shoppers in the summer or early fall of that year.

City officials estimate the project will create more than 250 new full-time and part-time jobs as well as 500 construc-tion jobs. The developer will try to fill as many of these positions as possible with Bronx residents.

As part of their contract, Equity One will be required to submit annual employ-ment reports to the city and detail exactly how jobs have been filled and how they were generated.

Equity One purchased the site, which is currently a city-owned 75,000-square-foot parking lot, for $7.5 million.

Broadway PlazaContinued from Page 9

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Israel vs. Iran - Is War Imminent?A one-night only open dialogue event with

Dr. Ronen Bergman and Rabbi Irving Greenberg

Tuesday, May 1st ∙ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pmThe Riverdale YM-YWHA

Dialogue and Dessert Reception tickets now available for $72. Please visit www.RiverdaleY.org or call (718) 548-8200.

Only at The Riverdale Y. Join the conversation.

The Riverdale YM-YWHA Presentsthe Inaugural Event of The Rose Dialogue Series

5625 Arlington Avenue ∙ Bronx ∙ New York ∙ 10471 ∙ www.RiverdaleY.org

Moderated by Yeshiva University President Richard Joel

Dr. Ronen Bergman,renowned political and military analyst

for Yedioth Aharonoth

Rabbi Irving Greenberg,seminal author and post-Holocaust scholar