Brooklyn, NY – Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) has written to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu urging him to stem the negative reports coming out of Beit Shemesh about the Charedi community.
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Hikind, who represents the largest contingent of Charedim in the United States, wrote in part, “As you know, a small group has recently engaged in contemptible behavior in Beit Shemesh. Be assured that everyone condemns these hateful acts, especially the rabbinical leadership of the Charedi community. Unfortunately, as is often the case in these types of situations, extremists on the left and others who clearly have their own political agenda—particularly, Israel’s notoriously Leftist, anti-Charedi media—are using these incidents as an opportunity to degrade, ridicule, and blame the entire Charedi community for the acts of only a few.”
The letter continues, “The notion of tolerance and respect has long been a Democratic value. Why is no respect being shown to the largely blameless Charedi community? Why has Israel’s media deemed all Charedim to be “guilty by association?” This mentality is unacceptable. All people, regardless of their cultural differences, race, or religious practice, must be respected. I, therefore, urge you to publicly condemn those who have unjustly painted the entire Charedi community with a broad stroke.”
Mr. Hikind says “Be assured that everyone condemns these hateful acts, especially the rabbinical leadership of the Charedi community.”
Where Mr. Hikind? Who, and where? Please post the names of the Haredi Gedolim who are coming out and condemning the vile acts that have been going on. The spitting, the berating, the intimidation. Please tell us the names of the Rabbinical leaders who are condemning this.
Thanks Assemblyman for intervening, I’d also ask from you Mr. Hikind, please have the PM condemn the unlimited hate and hateful acts of the datim and secularists towards the charedim the past couple of months, this madness has to stop.
And don’t forget about the anti charedi media in EY, bashing at charedim for the past decades, not stopping for anything, lying framing, creating hypes etc..
“Be assured that everyone condemns these hateful acts, especially the rabbinical leadership of the Charedi community.”
ahem, then why doesnt a single one of them say something? anything? Not sure if it would help, but at least try.
Hikind, nice job blaming the messenger! Why don’t you call on so called rabbonim to reign in the Charedistan nut jobs?
The deafening silence from a large segment of the Chareidi community illustrates that Hikind is out of touch with the reality on the ground. Where are Rav Yosef or Rav Elyashiv?? Why haven’t their voices been heard on these crimes committed by this group of Chareidim other than some vague comments issues by some of their flacks or gabboim which fail to directly address the issue? I’m certain they find these acts as repulsive as the rest of us yet for some reason, they remain largely silent and invisible. They should be the ones leading these demonstration rather than being locked away in their shuls and largely out of sight. Any why are we not surprise that Hikind, of all people, is out front of the cameras and issuing press releases (for a change).
He hikind doesnt make sense no one is condemmning the whole community its a no brainer no need to say it, its the leadership that is at fault and that is the tragedy they dont come out and stop this unbeleivable mindless behaviour from their midst.
Thank you Dov Hikind. Media always like to name a few bad people as if that is that religion. I just hope the letter will do something. Take away dirt is much harder then saying it first
Your sane voice is a breath of fresh air.
Why are you surprised Dov, it takes a few idiots, who happen to be charaedi (although to me, they’re bums) to spoil it for everyone.
It’s just a small group in Bet Shemesh, and just a small group in Mea Shearim, and just a small group in Williamsburg. If this Hikind guy “represents the largest contingent of Charedim in the United States” why doesn’t he ask the Rabbonim, Gedolim and Ketanim why THEY don’t say anything?
If the Ultra Orthodox Community does not support the inciteful actions by our fellow jews in Bet Shemesh and throughout Israel then where are our gedolim? Its easy to forbid a Shwekey concert, college, or defending the jewish people in the IDF BUT bone of them will ever reprimand this fringe group that has contaminated our pure torah. THey have made a real mockery of the torah. So where are our Gedolim now to say this isnt right. Their silence is equalt to complicit agreement with these actions!
Until we, the Chareidi community, disavow and condemn these fanatics, we have no right to expect the media to be sympathetic to us.
“Be assured that everyone condemns these hateful acts, especially the rabbinical leadership of the Charedi community”
Would you please tell us how you are so sure that the “rabbinical leadership” condemns these acts ?
Did you hear any -Chassidish or Litvish- Ruv/Rebbe speaking out against the extremism growing all over us?
Where was/is the “rabbinical leadership” the last few years when woman are sprayed with bleach in Geulah, humiliated on buses; when “Kanoim” throw stones & diapers on cops; when garbage cans are lit on fire and the list goes on…
In the Hamodia, Hamevaser there is -all along- silence approval to radicalism.
The disrespect to ALL humans other then our own community is unbelievable!
The Haartez writes about chareidim much more objectively then we write about “them” !
It’s easy to come NOW and complaint about the “hate against Chareidim”.
But it depends on us; we need to take note and realize that we are not the only humans on this planet, start respecting others, and stop with the “we deserve it all” attitude.
I’m Sick and tired of the emptiness,hypocrisy and ignorance in our (Chassidish) community
Unfortunately, media images of the protests and the events connected to it are more powerful than these words – and they show that most of the Chasideshe Yidden pictured were engaged in contemptible behavior or voiced very strong support for contemptible behavior.
What is needed is for Gedolim and others to come out strongly and publicly in support of tolerance and respect – in a visible and real way – not just in news conferences.
“Be assured that everyone condemns these hateful acts, especiallythe rabbinical leadership of the Charedi community”
This is news to me… who are these everyone and rabbinical leadership of which he speaks?
have they whispered this condemnation in his ear? because usually we hear them loud and clear, particularly when its a cause they ACTUALLY care about like goyish graves being dug up in Israel, or taking children away from Munchhausen by proxy mothers, gay pride parades, or their favorite punching bags YU and YCT — in all these instances we tend to hear the charedi rabbinical leadership loud and clear (actually often too loud for my taste, but i digress)
But now, nothing?
These lunatic Haredim are not a minority. The other Haredi Rabbanim are silent. Shtikah KeHoDa’ah. There is no greater Chillul Hashem than what’s going on now with the NY Times, BBC television, worldwide AP news agency and others covering this sensational event. My blood boils when I hear Haredim call a Modern Orthodox 8-year-old girl a Zonah and spit at her. Gevald!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reb Dov,
I too am eager to hear how you know the stance “rabbinical leadership” .
As far as I know – the Rabonim (Chassiddish & Litvish) don’t usually tell us what their stance is , unless -of course- it’s a Issur on Internet,Concerts, College education ETC.
Actually- the “rabbinical leadership” had many years to condemn this radicalism that’s spreading all among us.
Are you aware -if not, please update your knowledge- that
* In Geulah, woman are sprayed with bleach when not “Tzniesdig” enough ?
* Many frum woman & couples were humiliated for not wanting to sit next to each other on some bus lines?
* These radicals throw stones, dirty diapers on cops (just imagine Arabs or African Americans behaving this way)
*Every now and then – garbage cans are lit on fire to “demonstrate” against whatever Meshigas they feel like ?
*Egged had to change the route because of radicals decision not to let buses through their neighborhood ?
And more…
Some of the battles are legitimate; however they should go about it like civilized people do all over and like our grandfathers did in Europe; not by rioting!!!
To come NOW and cry “Stop the hatred!” sounds a bit hypocritical to me.
Leaving the issue of Rabonim out of the picture for a minute, he is one hundred percent correct that the Israeli media is all out against the charedim and shame on all you who believe them.
I disagree with Dov these radical Jews are more then just a few and should be thrown out of Israel.They hate the country and don’t participate in the army or want to be part of Israeli Society
Dov’s comment sounds like the Agudahs.
Us chareidim are always trying to do teshuva for everything. Why not? It is our job, to set the good example.
However, why can’t the chilonim start to do the same, so that moshiach can come already, because then we will ALL be more righteous?!
The chilonim are STILL a billion times worse, don’t forget!