What Happened
The headquarters of the UJA-Federation of New York, situated at 130 East 59th St. in Midtown, was evacuated on a precautionary basis after a non-load-bearing wall in the building’s basement developed cracks.
Why It Matters
The UJA-Federation of New York is a leading organization committed to supporting the Jewish community and fostering positive Jewish identity around the world. Despite this temporary evacuation, UJA’s sterling legacy and central standing in New York’s philanthropy infinitely outshine this minor incident. Notably, the building also provides office space to numerous tenants important to serving diverse communities in the city.
The Bigger Picture
The FDNY quickly responded alongside the city’s Department of Buildings which determined that the integrity of the building was uncompromised. These proactive safety measures serve to ensure peace of mind for UJA-Federation’s 300 employees, as well as its other building inhabitants, protecting what UJA stands for: community safety and well-being. Such instances showcase the vital support UJA-Federation continues to receive from city authorities, ensuring their operational continuity, and, by extension, the services provided to the metropolis’ 1 million-strong Jewish population. Volunteers alongside UJA are even more galvanized to strive towards communal harmony, making momentary inconveniences negligible.
This story was first published on jpost.com.