New York – Greenfield Calls On NYPD To Reinstate Chasidic Jewish Recruit

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    New York – Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) is calling on the NYPD to immediately reinstate recruit Fishel Litzman, who was dismissed from the Academy this past Friday June 8th for refusing to trim his beard, which he keeps at a short length as part of his religious beliefs as a Chasidic Jew. Mr. Litzman was just weeks away from joining the force as a rookie officer when he was unfairly dismissed last week, despite the NYPD’s full knowledge of his religious beliefs when he was accepted to the Academy. Mr. Litzman, who scored very high on Academy exams and had informed the NYPD in writing several months ago that he could not trim his beard due to his religious beliefs, was not even given an official reason on his dismissal papers for his termination.

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    Councilman Greenfield is now asking NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly to personally review this decision and reinstate Mr. Litzman to the Academy, based on federal protections of religious beliefs, prior NYPD rulings and the religious freedom law, the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, that Greenfield co-sponsored and was signed into law in by Mayor Bloomberg in August 2011. Greenfield is also asking Commissioner Kelly to review all policies and procedures governing facial hair, head wear and other aspects of the NYPD uniform that impact a officer’s religious freedoms.

    “I know that the NYPD prides itself on its diversity. That diversity needs to include tolerance for religious beliefs. By all accounts, Mr. Litzman would make a stellar member of the NYPD, especially as the department works to reflect the changing demographics of the city. I encourage Commissioner Kelly will do the right thing and reinstate Mr. Litzman into the NYPD,” said Greenfield.

    The New York City Council recently took action to prevent exactly this type of religious discrimination in the workplace. The Workplace Religious Freedom Act places the burden on the employer to show that the individual otherwise would not be able to perform the job duties. It was passed overwhelmingly by the New York City Council and signed into law by Mayor Bloomberg on August 30, 2011.

    “Given the steps we have taken to end workplace discrimination here in New York City, this decision by the NYPD is very disappointing. I will continue to fight to make sure our religious beliefs are protected, and to stand alongside individuals like Mr. Litzman whose rights are infringed upon,” added Greenfield


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    26 Comments
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    Eagle
    Eagle
    11 years ago

    לא תתגרו באומות

    Rut24
    Rut24
    11 years ago

    His beard doesn’t look so bad. What’s the issue?

    stavnitzer
    stavnitzer
    11 years ago

    Councilman Greenfield,
    Thank you for being there. For the “average guy”.

    11 years ago

    The NYPD rule on facial hair (aka beards) is essentially the same as that used by the military and most other police departments and first responder agencies. Its bewildering that yidden seek employment with agencies whose rules they intend to violate, buy buildings and property for uses that are explicitly prohibited by the zoning codes, etc. and then claim “anti-semitism” when there is pushback.

    lavdavka
    lavdavka
    11 years ago

    I know Fishel Litzman .. when they accepted him into the academy He quit his 6 year paramedic job at Maimonides ..
    ..Scored ahead of almost 98% of his classmates at the academy .. this is why Nat Lewin accepted the case immediately …
    This is going to be big …

    11 years ago

    I see black cops with long dread locks and no one in the NYPD says a word. When it comes to a Jew they have something to say. Of course its anti semitism.

    11 years ago

    Reb Litzman likely will lose. The NYPD rules are applied equally to all male recruits and oficers; there is no unlawful discrimination here. He knew this rule when he applied. The mistake the NYPD made was to let him walk through the front door of the Academy on the first day with his beard.

    CherryKnish
    CherryKnish
    11 years ago

    This beard is too long? What a good joke! We need Jewish policemen.
    There are so many anti-semitic police that don’t come when you call & don’t help when they come. I was once almost run over deliberately & another time thrown down & my sheitel snatched off & they refused to pursue the criminals.
    It’s about time politicians do something about discrimination against orthodox employees. A lot of banks & brokerage companies are laying off very experienced, qualified frum people & then advertising their jobs.
    Eagle, you are an ostrich. Go hide your head in the sand.

    11 years ago

    Takeh his beard looks like a haystack!

    TimewillTell
    TimewillTell
    11 years ago

    Unatural gang Tattoos YES but Natural beard NO ?

    70% test pass rate YES but 98% test pass rate NO ?

    Mexican with green card YES but American paramedic NO ?

    Good Luck u are on ur way of getting the money easy V’s ur class buddy’s have to work now 20 years lol

    11 years ago

    Maybe he’s not meant to be there. Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we are divinely shown the way to go and we resist, to our detriment. The issue should be pursued for the principle of the matter but he should not insist on being reinstated. Make your point, sue if you have to, and move on to something else. There should be other avenues open to such a bright and accomplished young man.

    11 years ago

    “Nice guy, always helping other people. He was the top at everything literally, grades, gym, range etc. I spoken to him on several occasion, he was vehement about keeping his beard, but I never thought he would be fired.”
    (from a Police blog)

    LIVEWOLF
    LIVEWOLF
    11 years ago

    Perhaps it’s time to realize that not all jobs are suitable for Orthodox Jews. Lets save our energy for fighting discrimination when religious rights are truely violated.

    hershel
    hershel
    11 years ago

    They can, and have masks that fit over beards.
    That is why there is no problem in the navy, and no real problem in the army with having a beard.
    The fact that the army does not allow beards for religious Jews is in count right now.
    In the Israeli army there are may Guys with beards who use those gas masks without any problem. A good friend of mine is one of them.
    This is primarily a racial/uniformity issue, with a technical backing.

    arkadyb
    arkadyb
    11 years ago

    i feel that since NYC is the most diverse it should not have a law on the beard length for police officers. That type of a law might be applicable for the fire department men and women since they do need to breathe oxygen from an air tight face mask.