Sorry! Apparently, there are some people in New York who still haven’t signed the petition to deport “Sorry” singer Justin Bieber immediately to Canada. Beliebers flooded Mercer and Howard Sts. last Wednesday and Thursday for a sale of the Bieb’s merchandise at VFILES. The crooner’s fans — or just entrepreneurs looking to flip the merch and make some cash — stretched all the way east to Broadway and Grand Sts. More than 20 police were on hand for crowd control. Honestly, is that really the best way to deploy New York’s Finest? J.B. was in town to perform at the Barclays Center last week. J-Beeb’s security notified cops from the First Precinct that he would be showing up at 2 p.m., but he must have been skateboarding somewhere or something because he didn’t show. According to our photographer, there was a limit of five items per customer, with the average Beeb buy around $300 to $500 per person.
Vive la vérité! On a much more serious note, in undoubtedly one of the most important and unforgettable lessons of their academic career, La Salle Academy students last week heard a historic speech from one of the world’s most respected and distinguished Holocaust scholars. Father Patrick Desbois on May 3 addressed the East Village students on his first appearance at a U.S. high school. The author and Vatican advisor discussed the efforts of his humanitarian organization to identify and commemorate sites of mass execution in Eastern Europe, as part of the invaluable mission to make sure this horrific chapter in history is never forgotten or discounted by the younger generation. Desbois also answered questions from La Salle students and from Abraham Joshua Heschel School schools, who also attended. Desbois’s visit is a credit to the innovative leadership of President Catherine Guerriero, the academy’s first female leader. The school prides itself on offering young men unique experiences in the classroom and community, and exposing them to experts and influencers from varied backgrounds. “As the head of this school, I believe that ignoring the lessons of the Holocaust is at our peril,” Guerriero said. “We are delighted to welcome Father Desbois and his teachings to our school and we are honored to share his findings with our community.” Desbois, a French Catholic priest,
has received the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest honor, for his work documenting the unspeakable genocide of the Jewish and Roma people in Europe by the Nazis and their supporters. In 2004, Desbois founded Yahad-in Unum, a global humanitarian organization dedicated to unearthing evidences of the Nazi massacres on the Eastern front and countering Holocaust deniers who use a lack of official documentation to support their stance. Desbois’s focus is locating unmarked mass graves where the victims of the Nazis’ genocide were buried after being executed by shooting, such as in Ukraine, among other countries, rather than killed in concentration camps. Desbois is also the director of the Committee for Relations With Judaism of the French Episcopal Conference and adviser to the Vatican on Judaism. In addition, he has penned an account of his research: “The Holocaust by Bullets: A Priest’s Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of 1.5 Million Jews.”
Westbeth Flea Flash! It’s that time of year again! As Gina Shamus faithfully reminds us, the Westbeth Flea Market opens its doors for the second straight year in the spring, on Sat., May 21, and Sun., May 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Items for sale include various exercise equipment, original art, frames, stretchers (some already have canvas attached) and other art supplies. There will also be tons of books, clothing, shoes, handbags housewares, furniture and — a new category this year — collectables. The “irresistible Children’s Corner” has doll houses, bicycles, toys, books and clothing — baby sizes and up. Westbeth’s two addresses are both at the corner of Washington St.: 137 Bank St. (stairs) and 55 Bethune St. (elevator). For more information, e-mail westbethfleamarket@gmail.com or go to westbeth.org or call 212-691-1574.
