Brooklyn, NY – As reported yesterday on VIN News, Mayor Michael Bloomberg crowed quite contentedly in an interview with The Atlantic about pushing back against those who opposed his measure to regulate metzitzah b’peh. “I think it’s fair to say that nobody else would take that on. I mean, come on! Forget about the fact that — “They do what!?” — Who wants to have 10,000 guys in black hats outside your office screaming?” the Mayor was quoted as saying.
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Now elected and city officials are strongly denouncing the Mayor’s remarks and demanding an apology.
Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind says his community deserves more than to be on the receiving end of “demeaning and derogatory” rhetoric. “When Mayor Bloomberg decided to run for a third term, he came to our community seeking favor with the Haredi community. He asked Orthodox, Torah-observant Jews to support his candidacy,” noted Hikind. “But we weren’t Black Hats when he needed us.”
New York City Councilman David G. Greenfield, also of Brooklyn, said the Mayor’s “hurtful” comments are offensive to not only the City’s “half-million Jewish New Yorkers,” but should also be upsetting to all of the City’s 8.5 million residents.
“For the Mayor to identify an entire religious group by the clothes they proudly wear is the basest of insults. It is even more offensive coming from a secular Jewish mayor. I don’t judge the Mayor or his religious practice; surely, he has no right to judge me or other members of the Orthodox Jewish community. It’s ironic that the Mayor appears to have respect for every other religion except his own,” Greenfield remarked.
Deputy Comptroller of Budget and Accounting Simcha Felder, a candidate in the State Senate race for the newly-created 17th Senate District, echoed Greenfield’s sentiments.
“First the Mayor moves to restrict our right to freely practice our religion. Then he uses offensive and derisive language aimed towards our community.
I am asking Mayor Bloomberg to apologize for these insensitive words, which simply do not have any place in our society, especially from our political leaders. I am also requesting that he end his attack on metzitzah b’peh and on religious freedom,” Felder said.
Brooklyn State Senator David Storobin also issued a statement on the matter, saying, “The people of my district and the entire Jewish community are deeply offended and appalled by the comment Mayor Bloomberg made the other day to ‘The Atlantic’. . . .The Mayor’s utter ignorance doesn’t stop by raising taxes and hurting small businesses in our community, but now by insulting and demeaning an entire community for standing up for their rights of religious freedom. This is the same ‘Black Hat’ Jewish community that supported Mike Bloomberg for three terms.” Storobin said he is calling on the Mayor to retract his comment and issue an apology, and if he is unwilling to do so, he should resign from his post.
hed never make fun of muslims or african americans thats for sure, hes a business man, he understands risk reward, by making fun of jews he now is more loved by africans and muslims, something nyc has way more of
Assemblyman Dov Hikind damn right,and vote for mike Bloomberg???
Why is everyone so shocked and offended abt bloomys comment? We should have been offended that this anti Torah person was endorsed by all of our so called rabonim and community leaders. That to me is offensive and insulting as a frum Jew.
It not about the children or statistic, it was about BLACK HATS
This whole thing would not be a problem if our Rabbis would have taken this seriously when it was first reported that babies had died as a result of HSV infection likely caused by Metzitza Bepeh without a pipette. Instead the laws of science and medicine are suspended and we are told to rely on tradition. I can not blame Bloomberg for this. Fisher from monsey should have been forced by the rabbonim to be tested and the results should have been released publicly. Instead – cover up. And now continued cover up and denial, just like with the molestation and abuse scandel. With the Herpes it was blame the parents. And with the Molestation it was blame the victims. The wealthy Gevirim supporting the denial will also be forced to account someday to the Almighty. It is time to start being honest and embrace truth even when it hurts. In the long run that is the only Derech that works.
It is about time you realized that Mr. Mayor has NO RESPECT for ANY of us!! All he needs from us is our VOTE!! Then he KNOWS us!! Otherwise he does not need any of us!!
We created this monster. Now we need to enjoy having rule over us. Only a protest with 100K Black Hatters will show him that we aren’t his servants.
5 you don’t have all your facts right. Using suction was an accepted medical practice going back a long time to stop bleeding. why don’t some doctors chime in here? Bloomberg does in fact treat the Jewish community and especially the frum community differently than other religions/races. Why that is reverse discrimination. He has to prove that he is not favoring Jews so he treats them worse more harshly? Why did you and your Rabbis vote for him. He took a 3rd term when there was no 3rd term. The guy is a dictator who thinks he can do whatever he wants to whomever he wants. If you supported him you are getting what you deserve. From now on don’t be lured into being fooled by crafty politicians. Use your minds, do your research, don’t just pull the lever.
Thanks again to all the “leaders” of the frum community who $upported BLoomberg. Next time I see a photo of a Rebbe or Rosh Yeshiva with a candidate, I’ll know to vote for the other guy.
Funny, considering that within the Orthodox Jewish community we refer to ourselves as Black Hatters when describing our level of frumkeit.
it’s anti semitism and ignorance about the procedure. Please are there any doctors out there. Please clarify the issue for everyone!
Imagine the outcry if he said he stood up to 10,000 screaming burkas
don’t blame me…i am a republican, yet I did not vote for him and I told other not to as well
Would he say “those men with shmattehs round their heads” for Sikhs who wear turbans or “those women dressed up like witches” for Muslim women in full burkas? I think not.
Bloomberg try running a fourth term you self hating being
He is a self hating jew that only wants our vote and now that its all over he doesn’t care and is showing is true colors. Look what has happened to the city since he is mayor, crime and shootings have gone up he doesn’t care about anything because he thinks he has the $$$. Wait and see how he will go down in history as the worst mayor in NYC
everyone keep complaining, Mayor thompson or mayor quinn wont be fun for you either
Not to be mkatrig on us Jewish people. unfortunately we do see lots of Jewish judges who will discriminate against Jewish attorney to be more strict with them hen the non-Jewish attorneys.
In my view it come from trying to ‘fit in’… as they call in..
I’m sure lots of you especially here in NY will witness to that.
To me it appears that the mayor is trying to ‘fit in’ as well and ppl should not saying that he is better to the Jews then to non Jewd. When he by himself is a fellow Jew.
Mr Mayer remember that Hashem is the 1 who gave you the wealth you have. it has nothing to do with your college degree or anything with you personally. So just be careful. The same way he gives the same way he takes! do not turn your back on your fellow Jew. Mistakenly,, we elected you!
The community got what it deserves You voted for him because of the “money”
Now he is showing what he really is The same thing will happen with the
presidental race Money Money Money
WAKE UP
#5 , I Couldn’t have said it better myself!!
cuz yidden cant adapt to anything and everything must be done exactly how it was in the shtetle nevermind what we have learned since then
really now.would u want 10,000 people in front of your office-shouting at u ?
The frum community has only itself to blame for Bloomerg’s being reelected for a third term in 2009. The residents of Borough Park had short memories, when it came to remembering how they were manhandled by the cops of the NYCPD, in the Spring of 2006, following some disorders around Pesach. Bloomberg did not condemn the actions of the cops at that time. Yet, when he was running for reelection in 2009, he came to Borough Park, where he was warmly received by the so-called community leaders. Now, they are annoyed at him! They are about three years too late!
Resign now! there is no room for jew haters in our city.
I actually read this article today. I think it’s not a big deal. We ourselfs (frum community) call yeshiveshe people black hats. People, just chill out.
I believe “Mike” needs to be evaluated by a neurologist. The things he has been saying and doing lately are truly frightening. It seems that dementia is setting in. Seriously, he is getting involved in mothers’ nursing choices, kids’ school breakfasts and now this, certainly signs of a mental dissorder, dementia or hardening of the arteries in the brain. All serious conditions which shouldn’t be taken lightly.