Storobin's Cynicism (Naïveté) on Metzitzah Politicization

Hypocrisy is nothing new in politics, but David Storobin's recent cynicism still seems something out of order, especially on a topic on which he called his opponent to put politics aside. 

After attacking Simcha Felder on Metzitza, State Senator Storobin professed a change of heart, putting out a press release last Thursday that called Felder to "Put Politics Aside for Metzitzah B’Peh. "There is a time for politics and a time to fight for the community... I hope Simcha agrees with me that it's important to defend Jewish law. If so, we should stand together to show that this isn't a Republican or a Democrat issue, and that even candidates campaigning against each other can put politics aside for our community's law and tradition," Storobin said in a statement.

He also expressed this sentiment through a telephone message left for his challenger this morning. Storobin is eagerly awaiting Felder's positive response. the statement said.

On Motzei Shabbos, Felder responded publicly to Storobin's call on Dov Hikind's show saying that the mayor’s obsession with Metzizah B’peh was “crazy” and that he would do everything in his power to “avert this terrible terrible decree."

Today, another Storobin press release landed in my inbox, exclaiming that "Felder Follows Sen. Storobin's Call to Defend Jewish Law... Simcha Felder has finally taken a position on metzizah b'peh."

It is quoting The Yeshiva World that, "It took Senator David Storobin’s challenge to Simcha Felder to finally have him come out against the Mayor’s proposal to require parents to sign a consent form when a mohel engages in the religious tradition of metzizah b’peh during a Bris Milah. Felder was the last public official in Brooklyn’s Orthodox community to come out against the proposal."

It goes in to say that: According to Yeshiva World News, “Felder was reluctant to weigh in on the matter, but did not want it to become a campaign issue that would be used against him.” It further states that: The election of Senator Storobin, well known as a conservative who sponsored the repeal of same-gender marriage and funding of school vouchers, has forced Felder, a Democrat, to reluctantly abandon his traditionally liberal positions.

This statement certainly looks to me as an attempt to score a political point from the Metzitzah issue. I asked Steven Stites why Storobin decided to politicize the issue. His response: "He doesn't, which is why he reached out to his Democratic challenger on the issue. The Senator is glad Felder has come around to agreeing with him on the issue."

Sorry, I don't view Mr. Storobin as so naive.

Let me make it very clear: Metzitzah B'peh is an issue that I take very seriously. The recent Gothamist headline, about "penis sucking" mohels, and the NY Post's article about defiance of city law despite baby dying, describing it as the "kiss of death", is reminiscent of Der Sturmer (fact: a number of non-sucked NY children died in the same period of herpes. It wasn't proven that the infants were infected from the mohels). It's no less antisemitic and playing on old stereotypes than the "Foreskin Man" cartoons. The only difference: the Ultra Orthodox are easier targets and have far less defenders than the general Jewish populations.

Thus, I'm thankful to Mr. Storobin and for anyone who's raising the issue, although it would be better he should familiarize himself with the issue before commenting, in order not to make fun of himself and the issue. But the back and forth, and the non-politicizing politicization, stinks to hi heavens. It reminds me of his bizarre press conference, attacking Mr. Fidler for going negative, and than rambling out a number of wild attacks against Mr. Fidler. 

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