Your Honor: Don't Begin New Year With Conflict

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

September 11, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

HIKIND, FELDER IMPLORE MAYOR, DEPT. OF HEALTH
TO LEAVE METZITZAH B’PEH ALONE

‘DON’T BEGIN JEWISH NEW YEAR WITH CONFLICT’

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) and NYC Deputy Comptroller Simcha Felder issued a joint plea this morning to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Department of Health asking for restraint with regards to the pending decision on whether or not to interfere with the practice of performing circumcisions with metzitzah b’peh (direct oral suction). With only two days left until the Dept. of Health votes on a proposal requiring parents to give their informed consent for any bris involving metzitzah b’peh, Assemblyman Hikind and Felder (a candidate for the NYS Senate) reiterated their unwavering support of the Orthodox community, which has been expressing fears of government interference in their religious practices.

“An attack on metzitzah b’peh—a tradition practiced by most Orthodox Jews—is an attack on Orthodox Judaism. The proposed law requiring written consent from a parent or legal guardian is an insult to the intelligence and dignity of Orthodox Jews who live in this city. It is degrading to attack a 3000-year-old custom that stands at the very apex of our faith. It is an attack upon the covenant that lies at the heart of our history and culture. A government-sponsored edict against the traditional practice of bris milah—circumcision—is unconscionable and will undoubtedly result in some frightened Jews refraining from the bris milah of their sons altogether.

“By making a law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, New York City would be joining the likes of modern-day Germany in attacking freedom of religion via the rites of circumcision.

“We beseech the mayor and the NYC Department of Health not to go down this path. It is unprecedented and uncalled for. It is a slippery slope that begins the decent into regulation of other religious practices, as well. It is an attack on Judaism, an attack on Jews, and an attack on freedom of religion.

“Don’t tell the Jewish community of New York City that their New Year begins with an evil decree from the office of a mayor they hoped would continue to protect their rights as U.S. citizens freely practicing their religion. Please consider this next step carefully and do the respectful and right thing: Allow us to impart our customs to our children who we love at least as much as the city loves them.”