KOHANIM CAN RETURN TO FRIENDS FIELD

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

September 12, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

KOHANIM CAN RETURN TO FRIENDS FIELD

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) announced this morning that Kohanim (priests) can return to Friends Field (Ave. L, E. 4 St., Mcdonald Ave., Ave. M), which they’ve been prohibited from enjoying because of religious prohibitions resulting from the park abutting the Washington Cemetery.

Assemblyman Hikind first became aware that the park posed a problem to some community members when a constituent contacted the Assemblyman’s office. Upon visiting the park, the Assemblyman saw firsthand what the problem was. “The tree branches from the cemetery hanging over the park and branches from the park were hanging into the cemetery,” the Assemblyman explains. “According to Jewish law, the park had become an extension of the cemetery. Kohanim are prohibited from entering cemeteries. I thought what a shame it was that one of our community’s most beautiful parks couldn’t be enjoyed by everyone.”

Thousands of people visit Friends Field, which boasts a toddler playground that’s used by hundreds of children and their parents on weekends, as well as a number of ball fields. In August, the Assemblyman met with Kevin Jeffrey, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner of Parks, and Jamey Hewitt, Director of Brooklyn Forestry, to help resolve tree-related issues impacting Boro Park and Midwood residents. Regarding Friends Field, Assemblyman Hikind offered an easy solution. “It was just a matter of cutting back the branches,” he said. “What could be more simple?”

The Parks Department agreed and scheduled the tree trimming, which took place this morning. The Assemblyman praised Commissioner Jeffrey and Director Hewitt for being sensitive to the community’s needs and responding so quickly. “Now our entire community can enjoy the park,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “It’s a nice way to usher in the New Year.”

Director Hewitt, tree trimmers and Assemblyman Hikind today at Friends Field

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.”