Bill Thompson, Rabbi Bender and Simcha Felder... This Sat. Eve

This Saturday Evening on The Dov Hikind Show please join us as we host:

• NYC Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson
• Rabbi Boruch Bender (Yeshiva Darchei Torah and Achiezer
• NYS Senator elect Simcha Felder

The Dov Hikind Show airs on WMCA 570 AM, Saturday evening, 11:00 PM-12:00 AM

HIKIND SUPPORTS FELDER

“We shouldn’t castigate an elected official for being independent. We should praise him!”

Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is outraged at talk about expelling fellow Democrat, Simcha Felder from the party after the State Senator-elect announced he would caucus with the Republicans.

“The hypocrisy of this discussion is almost beyond belief,” said the Assemblyman. “Simcha Felder is an honorable man who has not sold out in any way. He made no campaign promises that I am aware of other than to faithfully serve the best interests of his constituents, which is what he is doing by aligning himself with the party that best represents his constituents’ philosophical preferences. While many of his constituents may be Democrats, they also clearly supported Republicans.

“Every Democrat is good for the people? That doesn't make sense. Every platform that the party takes suits every district, every voter? Being an elected official should never imply knee-jerk allegiance to a party. Simcha would have won this election regardless of whether he ran on the Republican line or the Democratic line. People voted for his experience and his integrity and that’s what he’s already delivering. He has never been dishonest with the people.”

Assemblyman Hikind pointed out that many Democrats supported Mayor Michael Bloomberg when he ran for re-election on the Republican line in 2005 and 2009.

“We shouldn’t castigate an elected official for being independent,” said the Assemblyman. “We should praise him!”

Assemblyman Hikind will be discussing this issue on “Fred Dicker Live From the State Capital” on Talk Radio 1300 AM, today at 10:35 am.

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.”

HIKIND LEADS ELECTED OFFICIALS IN DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR BORO PARK RESIDENT IMPRISONED IN BOLIVIA

SCHUMER, PATERSON JOIN IN DECRYING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION OF U.S. CITIZEN DETAINED FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) led a gathering of elected officials this afternoon in demanding justice for Jacob Ostreicher, a Brooklyn resident held for more than a year in a Bolivian prison. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, former NY Governor David Paterson and others joined the Assemblyman along with Ostreicher’s wife, children and grandchildren in front of the Bolivian Mission to the U.N. to protest human rights violations of the U.S. citizen who has been held through more than a dozen postponed hearings for 13 months.

“The Ostreicher family continues to suffer while Jacob Ostreicher languishes in a prison,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Miriam Ostreicher wants her husband back. Jacob’s children want their father back. We cannot allow this travesty of justice to continue. Bolivia claims to be a democracy governed by laws. Here’s their chance to prove it. They must free Jacob Ostreicher now.”

Ostreicher, 53, was born and raised in Brooklyn. In December, 2010, he invested in land in Bolivia and managed a rice business there until he was arrested on June 3, 2011 by Bolivian officials. Separated from his family, Ostreicher began a hunger strike in April to bring attention to the violation of his human rights. His hearings have been delayed more than a dozen times.

Also in attendance today were NYS Senator Eric Adams, NYS Senator David Storobin, NYS Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs, NYS Assemblyman Alan Maisel, NYS Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, NY Councilman Dr. Mathieu Eugene, Councilwoman Leticia James, NY City Councilman Brad Lander, NY Councilman David Greenfield, Chairman of Brooklyn Community Board 12 Yidel Perlstein, and District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 12 Wolf Sender

The Super Jewish Press Conference...

Councilman Greenfield and I are looking forward to a Super Jewish Press Conference tomorrow for candidate Simcha Felder. We will be joined by Rabbinic leaders, Mosdos and Askonim in a show of genuine unity for Simcha. Stay tuned for details.

Dov Hikind and Simcha Felder discuss the past, present and--most importantly--the future on "The Dov Hikind Show".
 

As I've recently noted here, in addition to his success as a former City Councilman, Simcha Felder was my chief of my staff for many years. I am very excited that he is running for public office again. One of our recent goals has been to unite behind a single candidate who will most effectively represent our community. So I am delighted that Simcha is running for this important new seat. Simcha is sensitive, extremely intelligent, and both passionate and compassionate. We are fortunate to have him as our candidate.