Lawyer Ruchie Freier continues her attack on Hatzalah in today’s NY Post story, “Jewish ‘siren’ ladies.” What’s even more frightening: the can of worms that I cautioned against opening is already ajar.
The Post reports:
“Hatzalah is a nonprofit, financed by donations. No women or non-Jewish man has ever applied, the source said.”
That source, obviously replied to three questions that the reporter was drilling for: Is the Hatzalah discriminating based on: religion; Gender? And does it receive government funding, which would make this even worse?
The first question is exactly what I had in mind when I blogged yesterday:
“Doesn’t such a case open up a can of worms, with the possibility that every turned back perspective volunteer will hire a lawyer? (I’m not elaborating on this one, not to further drilling that can of worms. I went into more details in an email to Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who is on record supporting the idea. I will be happy to share his response, if any).”
Unfortunately, the worms started to creep out already, and my non-disclosure will not stop it. So let me share parts of my email to Assemblyman Hikind, with his spokeswoman copied on it. (Please pardon my typos)
“I'm the author of the new http://orthodoxpundit.blogspot.com/. I came across the Crain's article posted below in the subject of ladies in Hatzalah. I know you spoke out in support. I'm just wondering how far your support goes…”
“Aren't you concerned that taking the issue to the press can bring non-Jews to ask why Hatzalah doesn't take them as volunteers and why it doesn't assist their community.
“Shomrim is lately under attack after positive press. Shouldn't be more careful from negative press against such a crucial and life-saving org.”
These very same points were used by the NY Post in an orchestrated attack against the Shomrim less than two months ago, when the spotlight turned on them when the organized the massive search for Leiby Kletzky A”h. The heading for one very critical article says: Orthodox cops: Separate and unequal; New York City should stop funding separate, private police forces for Jews.
Shouldn’t we expect from our elected officials to have the foresight to prevent the very same attacks against Hatzalah?
And even if he missed it, I warned him very clearly. Still, he continued to cooperate with Freier – even after I pointed out to him that she seemed to signal possible legislation down the road against Hatzalah - as the Post reports:
“Freier is supported by state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, an influential politician who represents Borough Park. “It’s an idea that’s worth looking at,” he said.”
If the attack intensifies, Go-d forbid, it will be courtesy to our own Assemblyman, who was careless and ignored the warning.
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