HIKIND OFFENDED BY MAYOR’S ‘BLACK HAT’ REMARKS

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

October 26, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND OFFENDED BY MAYOR’S ‘BLACK HAT’ REMARKS

 “We weren’t just Black Hats when he needed us.”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) said he was pained to read Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s comments in The Atlantic which unfairly stereotype Orthodox Jews as “Black Hats” and belittle the seriousness with which his community has reacted to attacks on the age-old tradition of circumcision.

“When Mayor Bloomberg decided to run for a third term, he came to our community seeking favor with the Hareidi community—he asked Orthodox, Torah-observant Jews to support his candidacy,” said the Assemblyman. “ Now when he finds those same people unanimously frightened by his personal agenda and aggressive stance against Metzitzah b’peh, he quips, ‘Who wants to have 10,000 guys in black hats outside your office screaming?’ But we weren’t Black Hats when he needed us.

“The mayor is certainly entitled to his opinion on traditional circumcision but it’s demeaning the way he characterizes it. Metzitzah b’peh is not a point of view—it’s a religious tenet. The mayor is certainly at liberty to take on unpopular issues, but describing his constituents in a demeaning and derogatory way is unbecoming of the mayor’s office. It’s insensitive and it’s offensive.

“Mr. Mayor, my community deserves more respect.”

HIKIND & FELDER CONDEMN DEPT. OF HEALTH DECISION ON METZITZAH B’PEH

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

September 13, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

HIKIND & FELDER CONDEMN DEPT. OF HEALTH DECISION
ON METZITZAH B’PEH

‘MAYOR’S PERSONAL AGENDA ATTACKS DIGNITY OF ORTHODOX JEWS’

TRADITIONAL CIRCUMCISION WILL CONTINUE REGARDLESS OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL EDICT

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) and NYS Senate candidate Simcha Felder are outraged by the New York City Department of Health’s interference with the practice of performing circumcisions. Pushed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the DOH’s ruling to require parents to give their “informed consent” for any bris involving metzitzah b’peh (oral suction) has left the Orthodox community stunned and hurt, said the Assemblyman, who represents the largest constituency of observant Jews. Hikind and Felder issued the following as a joint statement:

“This attack isn’t just on metzitzah b’peh—a tradition practiced by most Orthodox Jews; it is an attack on Judaism as practiced for 3300 years,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Telling parents that you require written consent from them before performing religious rites that the mayor finds objectionable thrusts the city deeper into a nannyocracy that has dubious implications. This is a deliberate insult to the intelligence and dignity of Orthodox Jews who live in this city. It is degrading. It is an attack upon the covenant that lies at the heart of our history and culture. Orthodox Jews have historically made it clear that they will practice their religion as they always have, regardless of any government’s attempt to interfere or degrade them.

“The sad implication is that this will dissuade some Jews altogether from performing ritual circumcisions. They will not enter the covenant. The mayor has allowed his personal agenda to impact the lives of these Jewish families forever. This is how he enters the New Jewish Year.”

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.”