New York – In an interview to be aired tonight on the Zev Brenner’s Talkline program, New York State Senator Malcolm Smith of Queens spoke candidly about the possibility of his becoming a candidate for the 2013 mayoral election, addressing topics of interest to the Jewish community including metzitza b’peh and tuition relief for private school parents.
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Smith came out strongly in support of metzitza b’peh, defending what he called the religious rights of parents to continue a tradition that has been practiced for thousands of years. While Smith said that clearly safety is of the highest priority, he trusted parents to ensure the well being of their children as well as protecting their religious rights.
Smith also voiced his support for providing financial relief to parents who choose to send their children to private schools for religious reasons, saying that because those parents are already paying school taxes, they should receive remuneration if they elect to send their children to religious schools.
Thank you for supporting our community Mr. Smith!
When does Felder plan on coming out and supporting the religious rights of parents and trust in them, that they have their children’s interest at heart?
Just another politican kissing up to a voting block, when he has no knowledge of the matter. MbP is not necessary, and is dangerous because the moylim are not all kdoyshim.
(reply to 3) seems like American liberalism is getting closer to communism.
I understand that you probably following one of the poiskim that say there is no need for MBP,but why can’t you give the right for other people to follow the other poiskim that say that MBP is necessary,
Mhursiech umachriviech mimchu…..
seems like people like you are creating all this problems
This politician is clearly trying to get the jewish vote. I am far from a liberal but believe this disgusting practice mbp needs to be banned. I am sorry i am noty having any mohel’s mouth on my kids shmeckle. And no- downing a shot of Dewars doesnt sterilize your lips.
All the posters here that contend that they have a right to practice freedom of religion and that MBP is perfectly safe and all issues associated with it are preventable, I have one question. Did you in the past and will you in the future demand that the mohel prove that he is not a carrier before coming in direct contact with your child’s open wound?
If not all the hyperbole coming out of your mouth amounts to nothing. If you do not then you are putting your personal embarrassment and pressure to not rattle your image in the community behind the safety of your newborn child and you are not fit to be a parent or to call yourself a follower of Hashem.
There is a risk of transmitting virus is real and the consequences are too severe to simply say “freedom of religion”. Most parents are unaware of the risks which is not only limited to the rare death, but may be responsible for future illness, neurological disease that may not appear for years caused by viral infection. What would we do if it was shown that many of the learning disorders seen today were do to Herpetic disease?