Brooklyn, NY – Councilman Greenfield Disputes Rabbi Levin’s Claim

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    New York – Earlier this week, the Rabbinical Alliance of America expressed their outrage at Councilman David Greenfield of Boro Park, for joining with ultra-Liberals to pass measure 371 which will in effect increase abortions in the city by “handcuffing” pro-life crisis pregnancy centers.

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    Rabbi Yehuda Levin, Rabbinical Alliance Spokesman stated: “Every Orthodox Jew knows that abortion on demand with the rarest of exceptions (such as life of the mother) is prohibited in the strongest terms. Thus, for Greenfield to represent one of the largest Orthodox constituencies outside of Israel, and reject his own Orthodox upbringing and the will of his Torah adhering constituents is a mega scandal. Which Rabbi permitted him to vote for something that the Talmud and Maimonides rule may be the equivalent of murder? Is Greenfield representing Greenwich Village or Boro Park?

    Rabbi Levin continued, If Councilman Greenfield does not publicly retract and denounce his own vote and publicly pledge to consult and abide by the advice of a prominent coalition of communal Rabbis, with regard to any legislation which touches upon morality, many constituents will begin now to look for an alternative City Councilman.

    Video below where Rabbi Levin slams Greenfield:

    The following statement was just released exclusively to VIN News by Councilman Greenfield’s office:

    “Contrary to the “Rabbi’s” crazy ramblings, the bill that the Councilman voted on did not involve abortion. It is ironic that the the same “Rabbi” who routinely endorses anti-Semitic politicians feels the need to constantly slander frum elected officials. But, it is not surprising considering that this “Rabbi” also routinely slams Gedolei Yisroel who disagree with his corrupted views.

    Even a fifth grader knows that abortion is regulated by the federal government and the state, never the city. In fact, the Councilman made a statement on the floor of the City Council, during discussion of this truth-in-advertising bill, that we all must do our best to lower the shocking statistic that 41% of all pregnancies end in abortion. I think that there is confusion among those who are not familiar with the legislative process because, in fact, there were two bills – the first bill, which the Councilman opposed, was very broad and would have only curtailed the free speech of all Pro-Life Crisis Pregnancy Centers. The Councilman was clear that he viewed that original bill as unconstitutional and opposed it.

    After Councilman Greenfield expressed his opposition, the sponsors of the original bill changed the language to ensure it only impacted some Centers – namely those that mislead their patients, whether they are Pro-Life or Pro-Choice. Unlike the original bill, the bill that passed, Intro 371-A, will only impact a handful of groups that deceive women by pretending to be medical offices when they are not. The reality is that while those groups may have good intentions, there is never an excuse to be dishonest. To remedy that, they simply have to post a sign stating the truth: that they are not medical offices. The danger of having women go into what they believe to be a medical office and receive a sensitive examination by individuals who are not medical professionals is something that should concern us all.

    That’s why the Councilman opposed the original bill, but supported the revised compromise bill. There is no justification for these centers to lie to women, just as there is no justification for this “Rabbi” to lie to the community. That, in fact, is the true chillul hashem – that someone with the title “Rabbi” is slandering a dedicated public servant. The “Rabbi” should be ashamed of himself for engaging in richilus and owes the Councilman an apology.”


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    25 Comments
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    Tzvi_Hersh
    Tzvi_Hersh
    13 years ago

    Why would Greenfield even respond? Levin doesn’t need more attention.

    charliehall
    charliehall
    13 years ago

    Kudos to Councilman Greenfield for telling the truth. Does Levin really think that “crisis pregnancy centers” should imply that they perform abortions? Chas v’shalom!

    Levin should do tshuvah for all the anti-Semitic causes he has endorsed, and apologize to Councilman Greenfield.

    yaakov doe
    Member
    yaakov doe
    13 years ago

    Watching the video it seems that the rabbonim in the room are ignoring Rabbi Levin.
    The Greenfield statement seems to be questioning Levin’s use of the title “Rabbi”, while I beleive that everyone accepts that Levin does have s’micha. Whatshould be questioned is whether Rabbi Levin represents anyone other than himself.

    Unfortunatly both Levin and Greenfield seem to frequently offer simplistic approaches to complex problems. Rarely are things as simple as these two imply they are.

    kalman1
    kalman1
    13 years ago

    Greenfields response is very petty.

    Boochie
    Boochie
    13 years ago

    David you got my vote

    Insider
    Insider
    13 years ago

    Wait a minute. Is the bill (Intro 371-A) for or against abortion? Checking the internet (do a google search on intro 371-a), the bill was condemmed by the Daily News, and pro-life groups as being FOR abortion. Plain and simple. How exactly is a supposed card-carrying member of the Orthodox Jewish community, representing himself as such, voting for abortion? Yes, I saw that the city does not vote on abortion. But this bill specifically hinders dissemination of anti abortion information, resulting in MORE abortions. If David Greenfield voted for it, he plainly voted for abortion. If so, let him say so clearly and let the community decide whether he is a faithful servant or a self-aggrandizing politician like all the rest. The verbal subterfuge and stories about other bills are only thrown in as distractions. Rabbi Levin may have said it bluntly, but it is what it is.

    rebdoniel
    rebdoniel
    13 years ago

    Greenfield is not being honest here. The truth is that the crisis pregnancy centers are considered deceptive by the likes of groups such as NARAL and Planned Parenthood, because these are facilities that steer women away from having abortions. The legislation is opposed by the pro-life community, which is why there was a rally against the bill, and why the Catholics are opposing the bill. Greenfield actively courted the Catholic voters, and let those constitutents down. He is playing lip-service. The truth is that 39 pro-choice Democrats voted for the bill, including the open lesbian Christine Quinn and the bill’s author, Jessica Lappin (a reformed Jew who married the son of a Lutheran minister), and instead of Greenfield voting against the bill, along with 9 pro-life Republicans and Democrats, he went along with the majority. Objective evidence does not lie. I notified the Conservative Party, which had endorsed Greenfield, as well as the Catholic groups which endorsed him, and notified them of this. Also significant is that Greenfield did not note against Resolutions 666,670,and672. This means that he supports taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood (look these bills up).

    rebdoniel
    rebdoniel
    13 years ago

    People like charliejhall of course oppose Rabbi Levin and support Democrats because they are loyal to an ideologically leftowing position that supports abortion on demand and equates abortion with an appendectomy, i.e. the mere removal of tissue. If Greenfield magnanimously “saved the day,” than why is it that the largest chain of Crisis Pregnancy Centers opposes the bill that Greenfield voted for? I don’t see why he deems this issue important- I highly doubt (m)any of his constituents frequent these facilities, as frum women usually seek out abortions under only limited circumstances- health reasons, inadequate fetus (DownSyndrome, Tay Sachs,etc.), rape/incest, and usually not for socioeconomic reasons. Greenfield’s office foolishly claimed that there are such things as abortion clinics masquerading as pro-life crisis pregnancy centers (that is a novel chiddush if I ever heard one) and a Chassidisha aide even told me that there are pro-choice CPCs, which demonstrates an ignorance of the issue. EMC Frontline Pregnancy Centers, the Sisters for Life, and other pro-life groups and councilmembers oppose this bill for a reason. Greenfield is simply not pro-life.

    rebdoniel
    rebdoniel
    13 years ago

    It is also a violation of the separation of church and state for a public servant to use his position and taxpayer-funded resources to defame a rabbi. This is improper, and if a goy would have done the same thing, the ADL would be raising gehinnom. Since Greenfield could not truthfully respond, he does what any other person with egg on the face does- he stoops to personal attacks and mudflinging. He is mevazeh talmidei chochomim, and recycles fabricated half-truths in a pathetic attempt to cover his tracks and defame blame off of himself. This is a classic example of projection- he is blaming others of what he himself is guilty of. Greenfield is accusing CPCs of lying to women, although there has been not one recorded instance of a woman thinking that the Sisters for Life perform abortions. This is faulty logic and Orwellian doublespeak. Greenfield needs to be opposed on Election Day 2013, and I will do everything in my power to ensure he is voted out. I will certianly ensure that the Catholics snub him and that the Conservative Party drops their endorsement of this pro-abortion politician. Ken yehi ratzon.

    rebdoniel
    rebdoniel
    13 years ago

    CPCs do not provide gynecological exams, as indicated by this statement. They exist to provide prenatal care in a pro-life setting. The city of Baltimore attempted a similar bill, which a federal judge found unconstitutional because it is a violation of the 1st Amendment to require a relgiious group to describe themselves in terms imposed by the state. The same type of bill was considered on the federal level by Rep, Henry Waaxman and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, two of the most liberal, pro-abortion Democrats, but because the House is Republican-controlled, and the Dems know they aren’t getting a federal gag rule passed, they figure they’ll operate on the local level, where there is Democratic Party hegemony and where they know they can restrict the activities of pro-lifers without any real opposition. Greenfield is doing the work of NARAL and Planned Parenthood- good job. A frum politician commits a Chillul Hashem by voting pro-abortion. Now goyim will think that we are pro-abortion on demand. Mazel tov, Mr. Greenfield.

    TzefasYid
    TzefasYid
    13 years ago

    I have no opinion on this argument/topic, but this quote is simply absurd.

    ‘Even a fifth grader knows that abortion is regulated by the federal government and the state, never the city’

    Somehow, i kinda doubt it…. At least i HOPE that the standard 10 year old is not that proficient in abortion law

    13 years ago

    The only time I agreed with Levine was when he spoke about Maimonides hospital. He spoke about the ER and everything he said was the truth.

    Secular
    Secular
    13 years ago

    The big issue everyone glosses over is the fact that greenfield is a Democrat- a pro abortion group. The legalese of the said bill is less relevant because he’s already aligned himself with pro- abortion democrats.

    The other absurdity of this article is Rabbi Levin’s statement “which rabbi permitted him to vote…” the voters (right or wrong) voted for Mr. Greenfield NOT his posek not his Rebbi and not his chavrusa.

    To Charlie: being pro life and pro traditional marriage does not an anti-semitic candidate make.

    As someone in the medical field I can tell you LESS than 1% of abortions (terminations) performed, are because of life of the mother or rape or incest.

    CountryYossi
    CountryYossi
    13 years ago

    I have no idea on this argument who is right or wrong because i dont understand it.
    All i know is that David Greenfield is an erliche yid and he wouldnt do anything against the Torah….Rabbi Levin should of sit down with David before slamming him in frnt of other rabunim..All i know is that being mevaze another yid has no part of Olem Haboo and for voting you dont loose the other world..

    Michel
    Michel
    13 years ago

    So Levin used Maariv in someone’s (an auvel?) home to lend legitimacy to his views by showing him standing next to other Rabbanim who by association seem to endorse his words. And he had a cameraman ready to take the video so he could post it. Feh.

    runstv
    runstv
    13 years ago

    This Issue of abortion has nothing with are community. David Greenfield well done just give the goyim what they need & they should give us what we need.

    Insider
    Insider
    13 years ago

    Dear R’ Yossi shlitah (no. 14),
    Your ‘shtell’ is cute but terribly transparent. A politician is a PUBLIC person and the politician’s vote is open to examination and criticism. David Greenfield represents himself as one of us, as you articulerately note. However, as a politician, he is not exempt from responsibility. If he wears a black hat, as in Thursday’s Hamodia picture, he not only has to look like ‘an erliche yid’ (as you claim), but he has to ACT like an erliche yid. No matter how he ‘drays’ it, he voted for abortion. What we have is a politician posing as an erliche yid voting against the Torah and claiming he is exempt from examination or criticism. The New York City Council is not a Beis Medrash and its members are not the ‘zugos’ of Sura or Pumpadisa of old. David Greenfeld did a terrible wrong and is being criticized for it. He cannot fress chazir (eat pig – a lesser aveirah) in public and claim to be a tzaddik at the same time. This is a dark blemish on our whole frum community.
    Rabbi Levin does not have to “sit down” with David Greenfield to understand his vote for abortion. That vote is public record and is condemmed by all pro-life anti-abortion people and groups.

    kollelfaker
    kollelfaker
    13 years ago

    i dont know greenfeild but i have followed the lunatic leven a man that supports anti semites running for office and then criticizes honest people the real question one needs to ask who supports levin and what is his objective in going after greenfeild

    rebdoniel
    rebdoniel
    13 years ago

    R’ Levin never endorsed a real anti-semite. True, he did endorse Buchanan, after he was instructed to do so by HaRav HaGaon Avigdor Miller. But Buchanan is not a Jew-hater. I have met Buchanan, and I will tell you that he does not hate Jews. He is not pro-Israel, or pro-any other foreign country, but this is indicative of strict noninterventionism, i.e. George Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation standard. Noninterventionists are not Anti-Semitic or anti-Israel. They just believe America should have no entangling alliances or give any foreign aid, a position that would probably be for Israel’s long-term economic well-being and benefit Israel’s sovereignty.

    PMOinFL
    PMOinFL
    13 years ago

    There are a few things that must be taken into account here:

    1. Levin represents nobody but himself. He is a media hound and nothing more. I only wish the news media would realize that. Just because he says he is a “Rabbi” does not mean his opinions are valid, or that they are shared by anyone else.

    2. The Torah view of abortion and the American view of abortion are 2 completely different things. Equating the two is both intellectually dishonest and incredibly DANGEROUS. There are times (I know first hand) when it has been necessary to terminate a rodef in the womb. These anti-abortionists, for all their good intentions, would rather see the woman die. That is a FACT. The Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and the Conference of Evangelical churches *ALL* have stated that aborting for any reason is unacceptable and that is what they want passed. If Mr. Levin wants to align himself with a view that is contrary to the accepted Torah opinion, he is free to do so. However, the rest of us should stand up for TORAH. Period.

    3. The revised bill accomplishes the goal within the framework of the law. Levin, in this case as in others, is lying.

    Sherree
    Sherree
    13 years ago

    Levin just showed us once again that “he” needs to be replaced. He has become an even bigger characature than he used to be. It is time for him to retire and let someone else step up and make some sense between religion and politics.

    rebdoniel
    rebdoniel
    13 years ago

    The problem is that there are no rabbonim who care about the family values- Rabbi Levin is the only rabbi who has been a consistent, vocal, and committed advocate against the epidemic of abortion-on-demand, homosexual degradation, pornography, and immorality. Other groups or rabbonim may issue a statement or an amicus brief, or speak at apress conference and show face once every five years, but Rabbi Levin is an adam gadol. He advocates for life and family values when all others remain silent, and is a true moser nefesh. He does this all out of the goodness of his heart and is not seeking kavod or accolades. I proudly count him among my rebbeim and daven for him every day of my life. I wish there were more rabbonim and baal habatim doing what he does, but sadly, people are concerned with things other than the needless and wanton slaughter of the unborn, such as making gelt, schmoozing with the powerful, and engaging in power politics so that they become rich and powerful as a result. For shame. This is a shanda for our community.