Potential Landmarking in Williamsburg Sparks Accusations of Anti-Semitism from Orthodox Jews

Potential Landmarking in Williamsburg Sparks Accusations of Anti-Semitism from Orthodox Jews

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In the historic enclave of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, a simmering conflict has erupted into a full-blown controversy, as the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) considers designating two blocks as a new historic district. According to a report in The New York Post, this potential landmarking, affecting Willoughby Avenue and Hart Street between Nostrand and Marcy Avenues, has sparked accusations of antisemitism from some Orthodox Jewish residents, who claim the move is a deliberate attempt to push them out of the neighborhood.

On May 21, the LPC voted to add the two blocks to its calendar for consideration as the Willoughby-Hart Historic District. The designation, if approved, would severely restrict homeowners’ abilities to renovate or expand their properties, the Post report said. While such measures are intended to preserve the architectural integrity and historic character of the area, they have been met with fierce opposition from the local Orthodox Jewish community.

The blocks in question are notable for their 100-plus homes, built around 150 years ago, and are praised by the LPC for “the quality of its architecture, strong historic character, and sense of place of its streetscapes,” as well as “its community history,” according to the information provided in The Post report.  However, for Orthodox Jewish families, who typically have large households and require more space, these restrictions pose significant challenges.

Orthodox Jewish residents argue that the landmark status would effectively force them to leave the neighborhood, as they often need to expand their homes to accommodate their large families. “We need big houses,” said Rabbi Shaya Saks, who owns a house on Hart Street. “We don’t have one or two children,” the Post report said. This sentiment is echoed by Herman Bodek, another Orthodox homeowner on Hart Street, who believes the landmarking effort is rooted in antisemitism. “This will have us moving out,” Bodek said.

The roughly 50 Jewish homeowners in the affected blocks have voiced their concerns, alleging that the landmarking is part of a broader scheme led by Councilman Chi Osse to displace them. Osse, a far-left politician representing Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, has a controversial history with the local Orthodox community, according to the Post report. The LPC also received a letter of support for the designation from pro-Israel Democrat State Assemblywoman Stefani Zinerman and State Senator Jabari Brisport, both representing Brooklyn. Brisport is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and Osse is a former DSA member, further complicating the political dynamics at play.

The sentiment is echoed by the community’s attorney, Adam Leitman Bailey, who labeled the move as “de facto discrimination against Jews,” the Post report said.

Bailey went further, accusing Councilman Chi Osse of leading an antisemitic effort. “By introducing this and being a leader of this, Chi Osse is committing the worst antisemitic act since Oct. 7,” Bailey asserted.

Councilman Chi Osse and State Senator Jabari Brisport are perceived by many in the Orthodox community as anti-Israel. Brisport, for instance, hosted a rally supporting an Assembly bill that aimed to cut off funding to pro-Israel charities. Osse has also posted pro-Palestine messages on social media, including one shortly after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israelis, where he criticized Israel’s military occupation and endorsed the Palestinian movement for national liberation, as was reported by The Post.  Despite his stance, Osse has also publicly denounced acts of antisemitism.

Orthodox residents believe that these political positions have emboldened some non-Jewish neighbors to engage in harassment. Peter Kohn, a resident of Hart Street, reported incidents of neighbors calling the Department of Buildings about legal construction, tearing down meeting signs, dumping garbage on doorsteps, and shouting antisemitic remarks, the Post report affirmed. Kohn alleged that these neighbors have allied with Osse to expedite the landmarking process.

Not all residents are opposed to the landmarking proposal. Michael Williams, a lifelong resident of Willoughby Street, supports the designation, seeing it as a means to preserve the unique beauty of the area. “If you look at all the tree lines and all the brownstones, it’s beautiful,” Williams remarked to The Post. He believes that landmark status would protect one of the best blocks in Bed-Stuy from overdevelopment and maintain its historical charm.