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.”

Gregg Birnbaum This Saturday Evening

Gregg Birnbaum, Senior Editor of Politico.com, will be joining me on my radio program “The Dov Hikind Show,” at 11 pm, WMCA 570AM this Saturday evening (Sept. 8). A former political editor for The New York Post, Gregg is a well known political analyst and writer. Worthwhile listening before the upcoming elections!

Truancy Center in Flatbush? Unacceptable!

NEWS FROM

ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

September 6, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

HIKIND OUTRAGED BY D.O.E. TRUANCY CENTER PLANNED FOR FLATBUSH

“NOT A WORD TO ANYONE? IT’S OUTRAGEOUS AND UNNACCEPTABLE!”

WEINSTEIN, JACOBS AND NELSON JOIN OUTCRY

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is furious about a new Truancy Processing Center planned to open next door to a girl’s yeshiva in Flatbush. The Department of Education admitted today that they’ve been planning to open a center for truant juveniles at its Administrative Building located at 1780 Ocean Avenue. Word of the new Truancy Center, which would open just two doors from the Shaare Torah Girls High School, leaked out to anxious residents who immediately contacted Assemblyman Hikind.

“This news has caused concerned parents enormous anxiety and fear,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Shaare Torah alone educates nearly 150 young girls; it’s just one of many yeshivas in the neighborhood. There are numerous children attending private schools in this community—schools that have worked hard to create a protective environment for their students. Their safety is our primary concern.

“What is equally shocking is that the Department of Education was going ahead with these plans without a single word to the community or its elected officials. No notification regarding this Truancy Center was given to anyone in our community. Residents are entitled to a say in matters that can so deeply impact the character of our community, to say nothing of the safety and well-being of our children.”

Assembly Members Helene Weinstein and Rhoda Jacobs, as well as City Councilman Mike Nelson echoed Assemblyman Hikind’s shock at being kept in the dark about the DOE’s plans. All three lawmakers agreed with Hikind that a Truancy Center would be detrimental to Flatbush residents and vowed to fight the poorly planned project.

 In a letter to Dennis M. Walcott, Chancellor of the NYC Department of Education, Assemblyman Hikind spelled out the reasons for the community’s apprehension. “There are no statistics regarding how many truant youth the city plans to process, and there are deep concerns regarding where these truant children will go and how they will behave when they are not within the confines of the proposed Center,” said the Assemblyman who plans to address the issue in person with the Chancellor along with his fellow lawmakers.

Identity Theft in Borough Park

NEWS FROM

ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

September 4, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

HIKIND PROTECTS VICTIMS OF IDENTITY THEFT

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is warning people to be on the lookout for fraudulent bank accounts, changes to their credit scores, and other indications of identity theft after three community members recently fell victim to potential fraud.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation contacted a number of Borough Park residents who have been identified as potential victims of crimes after finding personal identifying information of these residents in the hands of would-be criminals in New England. While the identity theft investigation remains ongoing, the FBI’s Boston field office advised the potential victims to follow through with all three major credit bureaus, immediately close any fraudulent accounts that may have been opened, and to file police reports. Assemblyman Hikind’s senior aides immediately went into action working with the FBI and the credit bureaus to protect the community members identified as potential victims.

“It’s not every day that someone gets a letter from the FBI,” said the Assemblyman. “These people were frightened and rightly so. When they turned to us for help in protecting themselves, my staff immediately followed up with the Department of Justice and the credit bureaus to make certain these innocent victims were protected.”

Assemblyman Hikind explained that victims can report complaints to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). Constituents who have been victims of identity theft should also contact the Assemblyman’s office.

“You don’t need to use the internet or even have a credit card to be a potential victim of identity theft,” said the Assemblyman. “Thieves grow more and more sophisticated and can obtain your personal information from a driver’s license, bank account number, and many other ways. To best protect yourself, it’s important to regularly monitor your bank and credit accounts and to occasionally check your credit scores. If there’s anything unusual going on, contact my office. My staff and I are here to help.”

BOLIVIA DENIES BAIL TO JACOB OSTREICHER; HIKIND VOWS TO REDOUBLE HIS EFFORTS

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

August 30, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)
973-945-4903 (cell)

BOLIVIA DENIES BAIL TO JACOB OSTREICHER; HIKIND VOWS TO REDOUBLE HIS EFFORTS

A Bolivian court denied bail this morning to Jacob Ostreicher, a Borough Park, Brooklyn resident who has been incarcerated without formal charges for more than a year. The bail hearing lasted nine grueling hours and was spread over two days while Jacob’s mother, a Holocaust survivor, sat through the entire process in the Bolivian courtroom along with her daughter, Jacob’s sister, both weeping uncontrollably.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), who continues to advocate for Ostreicher, promised to re-double his efforts to set Jaob Ostreicher free.

“It’s inhumane the way Jacob has been treated,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “His human rights have been continually denied, his health is failing, and his family is suffering from his absence and mistreatment. We have to continue to bring attention to this travesty of justice. We have to demonstrate that Jacob Ostreicher’s life and freedom matter.”

The Assemblyman is organizing thousands of synagogues into action on behalf of Jacob Ostreicher this Shabbos, September 1st (14 Elul), Shabbos Ki Teitzei. Hundreds of thousands of Jews across America are expected to join in prayer and follow-up with calls and letters to elected officials.

The National Council of Young Israel, The Orthodox Union (OU) and The Rabbinical Alliance of America have all agreed to publicize Shabbos Ki Teitzei for Jacob Ostreicher to their rabbis, congregations and affiliates. Rabbis across America will be speaking about Ostreicher in their Sabbath addresses and leading special prayers on his behalf. Following the Sabbath, congregational membership will be encouraged to urge their Congressman to adopt Ostreicher’s cause.

“I believe Jacob Ostreicher is fully innocent of all wrong doings,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Numerous media reports from WABC’s ‘Nightline’ to The Wall Street Journal concur that Jacob is being used as a political football; his family, needlessly traumatized by this on-going nightmare. And now, as feared, Jacob’s very life may be in danger. I am proud that Jews from across the country and all stripes of orthodoxy will be demonstrating their complete solidarity in this urgent matter. We cannot rest while Jacob is imprisoned.”

Regarding Levi Aron’s Sentencing Today

The Kletzky family will be forever changed by the loss of their precious child Leiby. Indeed, our community was changed by our shared grief. But G-d willing, the sentencing of Levi Aron today will finally remove the spotlight from this tragedy and allow the Kletzys to raise their children in peace.

Several weeks ago at the hearing, Nachman Kletzy’s amazing message of gratitude to G-d and undiminished faith remains a message that everyone can learn from. Nothing can be said today that will eclipse those beautiful words. As we approach the High Holy Days, may we all be judged worthy of peace, health and long life.

HIKIND COMMENDS SHOMRIM FOR OUTSTANDING DETECTIVE WORK IN APPREHENDING BORO PARK BANDIT

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

August 28, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

HIKIND COMMENDS SHOMRIM FOR OUTSTANDING DETECTIVE WORK
IN APPREHENDING BORO PARK BANDIT

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) had nothing but the highest praise this morning for the Boro Park Shomrim and their dedication and diligence in apprehending the Brooklyn man who is alleged to have been behind a string of robberies in Boro Park and Flatbush. An expensive silver menorah, an esrog box and a megilla case were among the dozens of items recovered by police after the Shomrim led law enforcement officers from the 66th police precinct to the culprit’s trail.

Assemblyman Hikind had visited the home of Yehezkel Zion and his family last week when Mr. Zion notified the Assemblyman that he’d been burglarized. “This lovely family was terrified and rightly so,” said the Assemblyman. “It was more than just the articles missing from their home—it was the fact that someone had been there walking around while they and their children were sleeping. Sadly, even in the best neighborhoods, an unsecure door or window is an invitation to a thief.”

Hikind said neighborhood Shomrim went above and beyond in their search for the culprit. “The police made the arrest but it was the Shomrim’s detective work that brought the culprit to justice,” he explained. “Our community owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the hundreds of community volunteers who make up the Shomrim.”

Assemblyman Hikind called special attention to Shomrim leaders Yanky Daskal, Motti Katz and Simcha Bernath, whose dedication to our safety, he said, should bring everyone here a little more peace of mind.

Rabbi Yehezkel Zion (center) with BP Shomrim and Assemblyman Hikind.
photo courtesy of Gifter Photos