Hannah Senesh Day School Willingly Bought School Building Knowing There Was No Expansion Possibility

From The Acris Site

In our new state of the art facility we now have the physical space to grow in ways that were not previously possible. Dedicated spaces for technology, science, art, music, physical activity, and prayer, have made our already-strong programs even stronger.

Nicole Nash, Hannah Senesh principal

In June 2007, we moved to a beautiful, new home on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens. This spacious facility offers 22,000 square feet of space, which provides us with many opportunities to grow creatively and programmatically. A full-size gym, library with computer stations, science lab, beit midrash, rooftop playground, and art room are just some of the wonderful new spaces you’ll find at Hannah Senesh.

From Hannah Senesh Day School's web site

For those of you who have been following the controversy over the selling of publicly-owned land to a private school here in Carroll Gardens, I would like to add a few points to the discussion.

In 2005, Hannah Senesh Day School bought the former School Board 15 District office at 342 Smith Street from developer Bill Stein. The structure shares the same building lot as Bill Stein's 360 Smith Street development. When Stein sold the property to Hannah Senesh Day School, he kept the Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) for himself and transferred it to his 360 Smith Street development to get extra height. He also used the school's Community Facility Bonus and used that to bulk up his building as well. So in fact, Hannah Senesh willingly agreed to buy a building that had VERY LIMITED POSSIBILITY TO EXPAND and signed an agreement that places a meriad number of restrictions on the building.
(click here to see Acris site page 6 onward)

Also attached to the agreement between Bill Stein and Hannah Senesh Day School is a clause that would give Bill Stein half of any F.A.R. gained by an up-zoning of the lot.

Now, Hannah Senesh wants to expand "to give the school some flexibility." Since the building has no F.A.R. left, the school community is hoping to buy the courtyard next to it on First Place in order to construct a two story addition. The only problem is that the signature courtyards in Carroll Gardens are publicly-owned and are protected by a 150-year-old law. The law states that the courtyards can not be used for parking, nor can they be built on.

What to do?

Hannah Senesh claims that the school is just "exploring the possibility of expansion." However, the board hired lobbyist Ken Fisher as early as 2008, a mere 6 months after moving into their new facility. Fisher was paid $7,500 to lobby city officials on the school's behalf for the "acquisition of a lot currently owned by the city of New York" Now, surely, you do not need to hire a lobbyist if you merely want to explore the possibility. You hire a lobbyist to SELL an expansion.

Out-going Councilman Bill De Blasio was more than willing to help out. Without community input, he intended to introduce a bill which would have altered the old law to exempt the courtyard on First Place at Smith Street, thereby paving the way for Hannah Senesh to then buy the city-owned land.

When Carroll Gardeners found out, they were outraged and felt betrayed. How could our councilman abuse his power in such a way in order to facilitate this shameful land grab?

At a meeting with the community on Monday, December 7th, Amy Glosser, Vice-Chair of the school's Board Of Directors, stated that the school had no plans to increase their enrollment. "This is about making the school better, not about making it bigger."

The plans for the two story addition include a full size gym, a theatre as well as some additional classrooms.

For whatever reason, Hannah Senesh's Board of Directors bought the building knowing fully well that it did not provide any room for future expansion. That is not the problem of the Carroll Gardens community and the school should not expect us to compromise a zoning resolution that protects our front yards.



Related Reading:

Bill De Blasio Courtyard Caper Delayed

Carroll Gardens Protests "Bill": An Open Letter To De Blasio

Dear Bill De Blasio: A Reader Strongly Protests

In 2008, Hannah Senesh Paid Ken Fisher To Lobby For Acquisition Of Lot Currently Owned By City

Will Bill And Brad Attend Hannah Senesh's 'Brief' Meeting About Expansion Into Publicly Owned Courtyard?

Councilman 'Dollar Bill' De Blasio's Underhanded Move To Amend A 150-Year Old Law Angers Many In Carroll Gardens

Breaking News! On His Way Out, Councilman Bill De Blasio Sticks It To Carroll Gardens



For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read more

Official Statement From Hannah Senesh Day School Regarding Carroll Gardens Courtyard Expansion

As many of you no doubt already heard, Hannah Senesh Day School announced on Friday that they have decided not to pursue their proposed two-story expansion into the city-owned courtyard at the corner of Smith Street and First Place.

Below is the official statement by the school's lobbyist Ken Fisher:

Public Advocate Bill DiBlasio, City Council Member Brad Lander and the Hannah Senesh Community Day School announced today that the School has decided to pursue other space opportunities in Carroll Gardens and is not proceeding with plans to build on the adjacent courtyard.

The School had explored the possibility of such an expansion last year, including holding outreach meetings with community leaders and neighbors.

Said Board Chair Pam Kaplan: "Although we were encouraged by the support we received from then Council Member DiBlasio and the willingness of elected officials such Council Member Brad Lander and Assembly Member Joan Millman to review our proposal, we were also sensitive to the concerns of our neighbors. Over the past two months, our board has carefully considered our current needs and resources and has concluded that at present we should explore other alternatives."

Said Public Advocate DiBlasio: "I am pleased that the Hannah Senesh Day School has decided to come a resolution which works with the needs of the community. I support the decision to not infringe on the court yards will work closely with them on other opportunities to expand the school."

Said Council Member Lander: “I am very pleased with the decision by the Hannah Senesh Community Day School to withdraw their proposal to build on the courtyard. Many neighbors expressed strong feelings about the importance of preserving Carroll Gardens ' signature courtyards, and I very much appreciate that the Hannah Senesh leadership -- many of whom are also our neighbors -- took heed to those concerns. I was glad to play a role in helping neighbors hear each others' concerns, and I look forward to working with the school and the Carroll Gardens community to find ways for Hannah Senesh to continue to flourish and serve their students, and to preserve and strengthen what is great about this neighborhood.”

Said Assembly Member Millman: "I applaud the school for understanding the community’s concerns and deciding not to proceed with their proposed expansion. The courtyards are an integral part of Carroll Garden ’s charm and character and must be protected. I remain committed to identifying a potential solution which will meet the needs of both the community and the school."

Said Maria Pagano, President of the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association: " The Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association has welcomed the Hannah Senesh community to Carroll Gardens, enjoying a productive and hospitable relationship with the school administrators, Board and staff. The Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association applauds the Hannah Senesh community's decision to expand the school in some other way, rather than build in the courtyard facing First Place."

Added Ms. Kaplan: "While Hannah Senesh was conceived to be a small, quality institution, we know that we will need additional space in the future to provide the kind of educational experience for which we are known and will seek out such opportunities when available. We are, as a school, looking forward to being part of the Carroll Gardens community for many years to come."

About the School: Hannah Senesh Community Day School is a nationally recognized center of excellence in progressive Jewish education, serving a diverse community of children and their families from across the continuum of Jewish life. Founded in 1995, the school offers classes in the Kindergarten through 8th grades and moved into its current location in 2007.

Kenneth K. Fisher | Cozen O'Connor

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read more

Breaking News! Hannah Senesh Day School Backs Off On Its Plans To Expand Onto Carroll Gardens Courtyard

160 Year-Old Protection
For Carroll Gardens' Courtyards Stands:

I applaud the school for understanding the community’s concerns and deciding not to proceed with their proposed expansion. Their plan would have set a dangerous precedent. The courtyards are an integral part of Carroll Garden’s charm and character and must be protected. I remain committed to identifying a potential solution which will meet the needs of both the community and the school.

State Assemblywoman Joan Millman

In a just released letter to its parents, the Hannah Senesh Day School states that it will not pursue a highly controversial plan to expand into the courtyard next to its building at the corner of Smith Street and First Place.

In December 2009, the school had revealed its intention to construct a two-story addition onto the courtyard "to give the school more flexibility." The only problem was that the signature courtyards in Carroll Gardens are owned by the city and are protected by a 160-year-old law. The law states that the courtyards can not be used for parking, nor can they be built on.

The school's Board of Directors hired lawyer Ken Fisher to lobby city officials on the school's behalf for the "acquisition of a lot currently owned by the city of New York"

Out-going Councilman Bill De Blasio was more than willing to help out. Without community input, he intended to introduce a bill which would have altered the old law to exempt the courtyard on First Place at Smith Street, thereby paving the way for Hannah Senesh to then buy the city-owned land.

When this became known, Carroll Gardens activists organized, collected signatures and encouraged the community to send letters to elected officials. The prevalent feeling in Carroll Gardens was that no exceptions should be made and that the courtyards are such an integral part and unique feature of this neighborhood that everyone of them needs to be protected.

It is wonderful to hear that State Senator Daniel Squadron, State Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Councilman Brad Lander felt the same way. Daniel Squadron was the first to issue a statement against the courtyard extention.


It is not clear yet how the school intends to proceed. What is clear is that Hannah Senesh willingly agreed to buy a building that had VERY LIMITED POSSIBILITY TO EXPAND and signed an agreement that places a meriad number of restrictions on the building. (click here to see Acris site page 6 onward.)

The Hannah Senesh School shares the same building lot as developer Bill Stein's 360 Smith Street project . When Stein sold the property to Hannah Senesh Day School, he kept the Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) for himself and transferred it to his 360 Smith Street development to get extra height. He also used the school's Community Facility Bonus and used that to bulk up his building as well.

Also attached to the sales agreement between Bill Stein and Hannah Senesh Day School is a clause that would give Bill Stein half of any F.A.R. gained by an up-zoning of the lot.

What is also of concern is that Hannah Senesh has been unable so far to secure a permanent Certificate Of Occupancy for the building.

Moving forward, it may be more advantageous to the school to ditch lobbyist Ken Fisher, sit down with the community and be more forthcoming about its needs.


Read more

Bill De Blasio Courtyard Caper Delayed

Last night, at the Hannah Senesh Day School

Lobbyist and Legal Council for Hannah Senesh: Ken Fisher

Tom Gray, representing Councilman Bill de Blasio

Amy Glosser, Vice -Chair, Hannah Senesh Board Of Directors

Hannah Senesh's Architect Larry Horowitz

Hannah Senesh building with new addition as seen from First Place

Of course, Councilman Bill De Blasio was absent from last night's meeting at Hannah Senesh Day School to discuss the expansion of the private school into a city owned courtyard in Carroll Gardens. De Blasio had intended to introduce a bill on December 9th that would compromised a 150-year-old law protecting our Carroll Gardens courtyards, by exempting the school's courtyard at the corner of Smith Street and First Place. 

However, last night the community was told that De Blasio will not be introducing his bill at this City Council session. (I suppose the community's vocal opposition may have helped to change his mind.) Instead, Councilman-elect Brad Lander made an announcement that early next year, we can expect Hannah Senesh School to apply for a zoning variance and an amendment to the Administrative Code which will allow a transfer of city property to the school. Should their application meet with approval and proceed through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (U.L.U.R.P.,) Carroll Gardens will have to fight to keep its historical integrity and unique character intact. 

Pardon me for asking, but I can't help wondering why the Board of Directors of Hannah Senesh would spend several years planning and millions of dollars buying and constructing a facility which did not meet their needs and which they outgrew in less than a year.

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking Read more

A Conversation With Gloria Steinem At Hannah Senesh Community Day School

Hannah Senesh Community Day School at 342 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens is launching its new Steinhardt Speaker Series on Monday, March 27th at 7pm.  Gloria Steinem, the writer, lecturer, political activist, and feminist organizer, will be its inaugural speaker. the conversation will be moderated by Virginia Heffernan, Brooklyn journalist and Senesh parent.

Tickets will go on sale today at noon on the school's website: http://hannahsenesh.org/conversations-senesh.
The ticket price is $36.

From Hannah Senesh:
"With the support of Mr. Steinhardt, the eminent philanthropist, Senesh is launching the series to highlight the strong connection between timeless Jewish values and modern achievement that continue to improve the world. Gloria Steinem’s lifetime of campaigning for gender equality and human rights epitomizes that connection and echoes the School’s mission to foster a modern, meaningful and joyful approach to Jewish thinking and learning

“Gloria Steinem’s work as a feminist, activist and writer closely aligns with our School’s core values of Responsibility and Perseverance,” says Nicole Nash, Hannah Senesh Head of School. “It is especially meaningful to connect Ms. Steinem’s accomplishments to her underlying Jewish values and the work we do at Senesh.”

The evening will be moderated by journalist Virginia Heffernan, parent of two Senesh students and author of the highly acclaimed Magic and Loss: The Internet as Art, about the cultural potential and societal impact of the Internet."

This is bound to be a very interesting evening, so don't wait to get your ticket.

****UPDATE****
Well, that was fast! Tickets have sold out for this event, but Hannah Senesh will be offering a Facebook livestream on the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/143896189459446/.

So mark your calendars.

Read more

After More Than Two Years, Still No Permanent Certificate Of Occupancy For Hannah Senesh Day School

Just issued Temporary Certificate Of Occupancy # 7

Page 1

Page 2

to enlarge, click here

Back in December 2009, the Board of Hannah Senesh Day School drew attention to itself when it revealed its plans for a two-story expansion onto the city-owned courtyard next to the school. However, Carroll Gardens' unique courtyards are protected by a 150-year-old law, which forbids anyone from building or parking on them.

With the help of lobbyist Ken Fisher, Hannah Senesh was able to convince then-Councilman Bill de Blasio that this was a good idea. In his last days as this community's public elected official, de Blasio was ready to introduce to the Council a bill which would have altered the law by exempting the courtyard on First Place at Smith Street.

When it became known, the plan met with tremendous opposition from the Carroll Gardens community. The overwhelming sentiment was clear: not even one of our signature courtyards can be lost.

Why Hannah Senesh Day School needs to expand so quickly after moving into the building in September 2007, is unclear. The Board's Vice-Chair, Amy Glosser, was quick to say that the school did not intend on growing its enrollment. Glosser stated that the expansion was "not about getting bigger, but about getting better."

Could there possibly be another reason why the school is pursuing the expansion?

Since Hannah Senesh moved into their new location at 342 Smith Street in the fall of 2007, the school building has not been issued a permanent Certificate of Occupancy by the New York City Buildings Department.

So far, seven Temporary Certificates have been issued. That is rather an unusual amount. Between T.C. # 6, which expired in September 2008 and T.C. # 7 issued in January 2010, the school did not have ANY permit.
How could this be?

On January 19, 2010, the Buildings Department presented the school with a list of 14 open items needed before a permanent C.of O. can be issued. Amongst those items is a final plumbing sign-off, a fire alarm/signal system sign-off and Place Of Assembly sign-off.

There is also a special notation that there would be no more issuance of Temporary Certificates without a review.

The Buildings Department, I have heard, gives special consideration to schools to ensure that they have all the correct permits in a timely fashion. Why then has it taken Hannah Senesh Day School so long to get a permanent one?
And more importantly, why was the school able to operate without even a temporary permit between the end of '08 and the beginning of '10?

Whatever the problem with the D.o.B, one has to wonder if the expansion is a must rather than a need.

And are the school's parents aware of any of this?




To read previous posts about Hannah Senesh expansion, click here

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read more

Councilman 'Dollar Bill' De Blasio's Underhanded Move To Amend A 150-Year Old Law Angers Many In Carroll Gardens

Carroll Gardeners are fuming.

Just weeks before leaving the City Council to become NYC Advocate, Councilman Bill De Blasio gave the neighborhood the finger by announcing that on December 9th, he will introduce a change in the Administrative Code that would amend the 150-year old law protecting Carroll Gardens' unique court yards.

The change would chip away at the law by exempting the corner of Smith Street and First Place, where Hannah Senesh, a private school, wants to use the court yard to build onto their existing building. 

Hannah Senesh just moved to the location 2 years ago, but is claiming that it has already outgrown its current space.

The school has hired former Council Member and Attorney Ken Fisher to represent them. (Fisher, you may remember, represented the developers of the Dock Street/Brooklyn Bridge/school development project.)

The Carroll Gardens Community has fought for years to protect the neighborhood's wide front gardens. Just in 2008, the Wide Street Text Amendment was passed by the City Council, establishing once and for all that building and parking on the courtyards was forbidden.

Bill De Blasio's underhanded move would undermine all the efforts of the community which has worked so hard to protect the neighborhood. It is also completely contrary to the recently passed Text Amendment and re-zoning of the neighborhood.

Below is a statement on the issue from Maria Pagano, President of the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association: 

Hi All, 

Yesterday afternoon Tom Gray and the Hannah Senesh Board invited community members to a presentation of their plans to expand the school into the side yard (aka, front garden) at the Hannah Senesh Community Day School. The plan will extend the existing first and second floors of the building to the lot line at the fence along First Place and Smith Streets. Ken Fisher, legal counsel for Hannah Senesh, explained that the school has made all the necessary applications to move forward with their plan, which will add approximately 8 classrooms to the existing building. The project will add a solid two story extension for the length of the building and width of the front garden. It will be faced to match the main building.

Mr. Fisher stated that this plan and the necessary changes required in the new zoning will not apply to any other site in Carroll Gardens. It was announced that City Councilman Bill DeBlasio will present this project to the City Council next week for the first phase of the necessary approvals. 

We at the CGNA are concerned that this extension will not only challenge but eliminate the sight lines and streetscape standards established by the new zoning and the text amendment so recently passed. FYI- more to follow. 

Best, Maria

Read more

Hannah Senesh Day School On Smith Street Hosting A Hannukkah Community Art Festival

Hannah Senesh Community Day School, located at 342 Smith Street, is holding its annual Hanukkah Community Art Festival on Sunday, December 13th from 1:00-4:00pm.  The event will feature art workshops for the whole family. So mark your calendars and be sure to check it out.

From Hannah Senesh Community Day School:

The Hannah Senesh Community Day School is hosting its annual Hanukkah Community Art Festival on Sunday, December 13th. This holiday event is Brooklyn's most popular Hanukkah event featuring a variety of crafts and art workshops run by local artists and community organizations.

· Venue address: Hannah Senesh Community Day School, 342 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Carroll St. Stop on the F/G trains
· Event dates and times: Sunday, December 13th 1-4pm
· Event prices: $5 per person
· Age range: 2-10 yrs



Read more

State Senator Daniel Squadron Agrees: No Building On Carroll Gardens' Signature Courtyards

Bravo to State Senator Daniel Squadron for agreeing with Carroll Gardens' activists representing several neighborhood organizations, that our signature courtyards are an integral part of this community and that 160-year-old law, which protects them, should remain unaltered.

Back in December 2009, Hannah Senesh Day School at 342 Smith Street revealed their plans of buying the city-owned courtyard next to their school building in order to construct an extension on it.

Thanks, Daniel, for understanding that the loss of even one neighborhood courtyard would be a profound blow to the integrity of historic Carroll Gardens.
Here is his statement to those various activists:

Thank you for meeting with me last month about Hannah Senesh's proposed expansion. What a great, active community we have. As I told you then, I always appreciate your perspective on neighborhood concerns. And as I also said, I consider Hannah Senesh to be a valued member of the Carroll Gardens community.

I want to let you know that, after careful consideration, I do not believe that Hannah Senesh should be permitted to expand by building in its front courtyard.

The protections for Carroll Gardens' front courtyards, passed through the New York City Council nearly 160 years ago, and held to ever since, should not be modified now; making an exception to the protections would set too dangerous a precedent.

I am committed to working with Hannah Senesh and the community to shape a plan that meets the needs of the school and is more appropriate for the unique character of Carroll Gardens.

State Senator Daniel Squadron

Related Reading:

No Carroll Without The Gardens! Help Protect Our Unique Courtyards

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read more

C.G.N.A. Vows To Fight To Protect Signature Gardens In Carroll Gardens

Speaking for the Committee To Improve Carroll Gardens at their December meeting on Monday, Land Use Co-Chair Glenn Kelly reiterated the organization's strong opposition to any modification to the 150-year-old law which protects the signature front gardens from development.

Hannah Senesh Day School, a private school which moved to 342 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens two years ago, seeks approval to build an extension to their facility on the city owned courtyard which runs along at the corner of Smith Street and First Place.

The school has hired lobbyist Ken Fisher to influence political opinion on the matter. We can expect Hannah Senesh to apply for a zoning variance and an amendment to the Administrative Code which will allow a transfer of city property to the school. Should their application meet with approval and proceed through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (U.L.U.R.P.,) Carroll Gardens will have to fight to keep its historical integrity and unique character intact.

CGNA had fought for decades to protect the front gardens. According to Glenn Kelly, the organization can therefore not support Hannah Senesh' s expansion.
Other neighborhood groups, such as C.O.R.D., have voiced their opposition as well.







Related Reading:

*Carroll Gardens Organizes To Fight Assault On The Historical Integrity Of The Neighborhood

*Bill De Blasio Courtyard Caper Delayed

*Carroll Gardens Protests "Bill": An Open Letter To De Blasio

*Dear Bill De Blasio: A Reader Strongly Protests

*In 2008, Hannah Senesh Paid Ken Fisher To Lobby For Acquisition Of Lot Currently Owned By City

*Will Bill And Brad Attend Hannah Senesh's 'Brief' Meeting About Expansion Into Publicly Owned Courtyard?

*Councilman 'Dollar Bill' De Blasio's Underhanded Move To Amend A 150-Year Old Law Angers Many In Carroll Gardens

*Breaking News! On His Way Out, Councilman Bill De Blasio Sticks It To Carroll Gardens



For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read more

Bring The Kids To Hannah Senesh's Hanukkah Community Art Festival

Get into the Holiday spirit by bringing the children to Hannah Senesh Community Day School on December 11th for a Hanukkah Community Art Festival.
The event is perfect for kids 2-10 years old. The price per person is $5.
Below is more information:
The Hannah Senesh Community Day School in Carroll Gardens is hosting its annual Hanukkah Community Art Festival on Sunday, December 11th. This holiday art fair is Brooklyn's most popular Hanukkah event featuring a variety of art workshops featuring:
Edible chocolate dreidel making
Mosaic tile workshop
Oil press
Cookie and doughnut decorating
Tzedakah box making
Clay workshop
Beeswax candle making ...and much more!
All run by local artists and community organizations.

Hannah Senesh is located at 342 Smith Street at the corner of First Place
To pre-register, head on over to Hannah Senesh's event page here.


Read more

No Carroll Without The Gardens! Help Protect Our Unique Courtyards

The letter below (for you to COPY/PASTE/SEND) went out to the Hannah Senesh Day School on Smith Street between Second and First Place last week, and was signed by numerous Carroll Gardens community members, both leaders and residents, including me and my husband.

The recent request of the Hannah Senesh School to make an exception to our 160 year old law protecting our public, front gardens, in order for them to expand their new school building by developing the front garden on First Place and Smith Street, is an absolutely AWFUL idea for Carroll Gardens.

Such a development would destroy yet another signature, front garden block in Carroll Gardens, stand kitty corner to one of the very few streets in Carroll Gardens in our historical district, and set a very dangerous precedent for more of the same in our future!

Our front gardens, which are public, have been protected from development for all these years for a very good reason!
Carroll Gardens' sense of 'sunny, airy, openess' is a direct result of the far-sighted planning of Richard Butts, a surveyor in the 19th Century who carefully designed the blocks we now inhabit. His work and the legacy he left us in Carroll Gardens must be protected, for it is this legacy that sets us apart from being just another brownstone neighborhood. Carroll Gardens is UNIQUE!

Granting Hannah Senesh their wish would set a very dangerous precedent for the future of our community in Carroll Gardens, diminsihing its appeal and value as a one of a kind historical, front-garden, architecutural treasure that can not be found anywhere else in NYC or the USA! We must defend ourselves against inititiatives which are not in the best interests or our own neighborhood.

We need to stop this now! And, we ask for your help!

It is also imperative that we let our Councilman, Brad Lander, know that we need to protect our unique history and heritage and that our front gardens can NOT be developed and destroyed. Period!

Thank you.
Carroll Gardens Coalition For Respectful Development (C.O.R.D.)

PLEASE COPY PASTE THIS LETTER, SIGN AND SEND ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTIONS THAT FOLLOW THE LETTER:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

342 Smith Street

Brooklyn, New York 11231

sent and emailed February 19, 2010

Dear Hannah Senesh Neighbors,

We are some of the people who live on the blocks that surround your school. Some of us have been here for generations. Some are more recent transplants. What we all share is a deep affection and appreciation for this place which we call home.

When you opened your doors in September, 2007, your school community quickly revealed itself to be a very welcome presence and happy addition to our Carroll Gardens neighborhood. We were and are delighted to have you here.

Back in December of 2009, you held a meeting at your school and had your attorney address a small group of neighbors regarding your plans to expand. Although pleased with your success, we expressed our disapproval for your plan which called for your expansion to take place upon a publicly owned area, the courtyard located on the corner of First Place and Smith Street.

As we are sure you are aware of by now, the courtyard area is protected by Old Brooklyn Law. This law, which has served this community very well for over one hundred and sixty years, prohibits, among other things, construction of any type upon it.

Carroll Gardens is defined by its signature Place Blocks’, deep set front yards. This community has, over the last several years taken many painstaking steps to protect our neighborhood from the types of over development which has marred much of New York City and to our great dismay, parts of Carroll Gardens as well.

The residents of Carroll Gardens have and continue to work long and hard to preserve and protect this neighborhood from losing its historic architectural flavor, relevance and human scale presence in the midst of this great city. We believe that these qualities are a great part of what makes our neighborhood both desirable and special.

As we hope you have noticed by now, we Carroll Gardeners have passionate pride and deep heartfelt love for our neighborhood. We wish that you and your students will become as deeply appreciative and caring for Carroll Gardens as we are, as this is your community now too.

Your intention to proceed with plans that must include a change to our single most powerful protection is simply unacceptable.

Although we know our local elected officials have asked to meet with you to discuss your plans, we understand that you have refused to do so at this time.

We implore you to meet directly with us. Let’s sit down and have a frank and honest discussion about your needs, your plans and what you see as the future of the Hannah Senesh School within the Carroll Gardens community.

We are your neighbors. Let’s try to find a solution that works for all.

We hope that we hear from you very soon.

Sincerely,

XXX

(Sign your name here)

EMAIL TO: info@hannahsenesh.org
MAIL: 342 SMITH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11231
Fax:718-858-7190

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



For further information on the issues, click here


For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read more

An Inspiring Evening With Gloria Steinem At Hannah Senesh Community School In Carroll Gardens

Gloria Steinem and moderator Virginia Heffernan at Hannah Senesh

(photo courtesy of Hannah Senesh)

When Carroll Garden's Hannah Senesh Community Day School announced the inaugural guest of its new Steinhardt Speaker Series a few weeks ago, tickets were sold out almost immediately. No surprise! The speaker was Gloria Steinem, writer, lecturer, political activist, and feminist organizer.

This past Monday, March 27th in Senesh's auditorium, Gloria Steinem spoke on a variety of topics that included her Jewish heritage, the women who inspired and mentored her, and the importance of staying involved to bring about a more equal and just society.
Her casual conversation with moderator Virginia Heffernan was an absolute delight.

Steinem is inspiring, dynamic, and very funny. She credits her mother, a journalist, and her Suffragette paternal grand-mother, Pauline Perlmutter Steinem,. for paving the way to her becoming a feminist and reporter herself.
She also spoke of the influence early feminist like Bella Abzug and Esther M. Broner had on her early on. "I was lucky enough to be included in their circle," she told the audience.

Regarding the current political climate in this country, Steinem sees hopeful signs in many movements coming together in opposition to the Trump presidency. "I have never seen such energy in all my life. And it is not going away, she said."What we are seeing is a majority response to a perfect storm." She referred to the Women's March on the day after the inauguration in January "the biggest march in history and unabashedly feminist."

Asked by Virginia Heffernan to give one piece of advice, Steinem said without hesitation: "Don't listen to me. Every one of us can be effective in ways no one else can be effective. Listen to your own knowledge."

Read more

Hannah Senesh School: Big Bangs For Their Money

Today is the first school day for the students at the Hannah Senesh School and the first day in their new location at 342 Smith Street. Over the last year and a half, the residents of Carroll Gardens have seen the old District 15 NYC Board Of Education building transform into a vision of blue, beige and orange. If the former building was a sad and drab brown brick building, this new version would be more at home in Disneyland than in a brownstone neighborhood. ( What was their architect thinking?)
What will be interesting to watch over the next few months is how the parents of the Hannah Senesh school will react to the controversial residential building designed by controversial architect Robert Scarano which will go up right next door at 360 Smith Street. After all, the school inhabits the same lot. The poor students attending classes in the building will have huge cranes overhead on most school days once construction starts. For months, there will be noise and dust. Lots of dust. It makes me wonder if the school will be able to use its newly added recreation yard on the roof. Big trucks will be idling in front of the place as dirt is carted away and material is being brought in. Not to speak of the mess of having the F Train subway plaza closed and demolished right next door.
Hannah Senesh is a private school with a hefty tuition. For the 2007-2008 school year, the cost is about $ 19,000-$20,000. A lot to pay for all this inconvenience if you ask me. It makes me wonder if the parents knew beforehand that Junior will be sitting in his classroom listening to big pilings being hammered into the ground just feet away. The parents may want to reach out to C.O.R.D. , the neighborhood group fighting the building at 360 Smith. I hope that they will help to force Scarano to follow the building rules and codes for once in his life. It will be interesting to watch. Read more