08/06/2026
“An agreement between Hasidic Jews and Hispanic residents to rehabilitate an apartment building to be shared by the two groups may be in jeopardy after 200 squatters took over a new housing project last weekend, saying they feared most apartments would go to Hasidim.
Leaders of the Southside Housing Development Fund Corporation, or Los Sures, and the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg began discussing the joint housing venture a year ago after tempers flared over a Hasidic proposal to seek Federal money to convert two housing projects into cooperative projects.
But because a Los Sures worker, Cathy Herman, joined the protest, the deal may be in danger.
Administrator David Pagan of Los Sures and City Councilman Kenneth K. Fisher spoke early last week with Rabbi David Niederman, director of the United Jewish Organizations of
Williamsburg. Both said he expressed dismay about Ms. Herman’s participation in the protest. Mr. Fisher said the rabbi felt the two groups might not be able to continue the project.
Rabbi Niederman was unavailable for comment last week because of his observance of Jewish holidays.
“He was upset,” Mr. Pagan said on Friday. “But as far as I’m concerned we’re moving ahead in the joint venture. “(TNYT) #1993
