Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why did Gov. Hochul suddenly halt Kingsbrook Shul’s demolition?

You won't want to miss Herbert Holler's Annual 80s Night + 50th Birthday! on the Brooklyn Patch calendar

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Saturday December 27th Patch AM
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Greetings Brooklyn! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why did Gov. Hochul suddenly halt Kingsbrook Shul’s demolition?
  • Will Bensonhurst’s new library-and-housing tower overwhelm local infrastructure?
  • How did three Brooklyn hospitals earn top maternity care honors?

Also on today's calendar: Herbert Holler's Annual 80s Night + 50th Birthday! and 8 more events.

Find out what's happening in Brooklynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Brooklynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: A bit of morning snow, with a high of 35 and low of 22 degrees.
  • Sunday: Rain and drizzle in the p.m., temps: high: 36, low: 35.
  • Monday: Becoming windier with rain, with a high of 52 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Hochul stops demolition of Kingsbrook Shul in Brooklyn, NY (clevelandjewishnews.com) — A long-standing synagogue on the former Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center campus in East Flatbush has won a last-minute reprieve, as Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered a halt to its planned demolition. The decision pauses a major affordable housing redevelopment while the congregation’s lawsuit against One Brooklyn Health System proceeds, and state officials urge both sides to find a solution that preserves worship space and community benefits.
   

2. Town hall held as locals raise concerns on plans for redeveloped New Utrecht Library with affordable housing (brooklyneagle.com) — Neighbors in Bensonhurst are pushing back on a plan to redevelop the New Utrecht Library with a 13‑story building that would add up to 400 units of affordable housing above the branch. At a packed town hall, residents raised worries about sewers, schools, transit, parking, and building height, even as Mayor Eric Adams and Brooklyn Public Library leaders tout the model as a win for housing and library upgrades.
   

3. Elmhurst, Brooklyn Hospitals Top Maternity Care (queensledger.com) — Brooklyn residents can take pride that Kings County, South Brooklyn Health, and Woodhull hospitals have been named among U.S. News’ 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The story details how NYC Health + Hospitals is improving equitable maternal care, from midwife-led low-intervention birth centers and baby supply boxes to translation services and social support programs that particularly benefit families in Brooklyn’s diverse neighborhoods.
   

4. NYC's new Health Care Price Comparison tool shows huge differences for same procedures (brooklyneagle.com) — New Yorkers can now compare what hospitals actually charge for common procedures using the city’s new Health Care Price Comparison tool, and the numbers are eye-opening for Brooklyn residents. Prices at Brooklyn Hospital Center and Maimonides vary dramatically by service, giving locals a powerful way to shop around and potentially avoid big medical bills.
   

5. Brooklyn man sentenced to prison for smuggling protected reptiles (brooklyneagle.com) — A Brooklyn resident has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for smuggling hundreds of protected turtles, snakes, and lizards to Hong Kong in parcels falsely labeled as toys. Prosecutors say the shipments, intercepted during customs inspections, were worth about $1.4 million and included rare species now being used by the Buffalo Zoo to help conservation efforts.
   

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday December 27
  • Yoga for Health & Peace (Hybrid)
    Long Beach Public Library , 111 West Park Ave , Long Beach
    9:30 am
  • Playdoh Party
    East Rockaway Public Library , 477 Atlantic Avenue , East Rockaway
    10:30 am
  • Vermicomposting: Worm Bins 101
    Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden Administrative Offices , 1000 Richmond Terrace , Staten Island
    11:00 am
  • MOMIX - Alice
    The Joyce Theater , 175 8th Ave , New York
    2:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Where can I work with 0 experience at 18?
    I Don't want to get in to detail but I'm having a lot of family issues and can't seem to find anyone hiring. I need work to move out and help with… (Nextdoor Flatbush (Foster-E8St))
  • A kitten about 6 months old light orange has been out there crying since last night.
    We tried grabbing him, but he runs away. He came out to eat though. We just left a cardboard box with a blanket inside. Bay Parkway between Benson… (Nextdoor Bath Beach (Bath-25th))
  • Acosta posted a job opening for Merchandiser Specialist in Brooklyn. Apply here.
  • Brooklyn Center posted a job opening for Activities Aide in Brooklyn. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Brooklyn here.

Ok Brooklyn! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
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