New York’s Jewish population is on the rise, thanks in large part to two Orthodox neighborhoods in Brooklyn. The UJA-Federation released its most recent demographic survey, which tallied up the population statistics in New York and its boroughs by the start of last year. The area is home to 1.54 million Jews, and the UJA-Federation broke those numbers down to look at observance level, education, family size, income and other data. The study found the largest areas of growth since a decade ago centered …More

An Orthodox vigilante group helped apprehend a bank robber masquerading in an early Halloween costume. The Shomrim, a Jewish watchdog group in Borough Park, ended the two-day crime spree of Kevin Crawford, 20. Crawford was terrorizing banks in the Brooklyn area while wearing a red skull mask. “Trick or treat, give up the cash or I will kill you, bitch motherf--ker,” he told a teller on the second day of his spree. On Tuesday, October 16, Crawford robbed the Dime Savings Bank in Williamsburg, walking …More

A 1 year old in Brooklyn drowned in a toilet Monday evening, while staying with relatives to celebrate the Jewish New Year. Mendi Altman was at the home of his aunt in Borough Park, where his 13-year-old sister discovered his body during the night. It appeared the young child had stumbled into the bathroom after being put to sleep. The Altman family—including Mendi’s six siblings--had traveled from Monsey, NY, for Rosh Hashanah. Mendi was taken by Hatzolah, the Jewish emergency response team in …More

The plight of an Orthodox American imprisoned in Bolivia is garnering media attention following an online petition aimed at President Barack Obama. Jacob Ostreicher, 53, was jailed a year ago on suspicion of money laundering, a claim he staunchly denies. The Brooklyn native was in Bolivia investing in a rice farm at the time of his arrest. As per Bolivian law, Ostreicher is held without charge, which the legal system allows for up to 18 months. Poor living conditions in the prison have seen the father of five …More