Letters to the editor,
Dear Editor,
As the end of the secular year approaches, the danger that NY Gov. Kathy Hochul may allow “Assisted Suicide” (A136/ S138) to pass into law grows every week. This bill would allow doctors to actively help poison any patient they deem “terminally ill,” and that “witnesses” claim expressed the will to die. As terrible as that shefichus damim bill is on its face, do we realize how much more catastrophic it will be in actual practice? Thousands will be killed, including many who never wanted to die, if not vetoed, r’l. Both the poor and wealthy are at elevated risk.
The NY voters who can most influence the governor to veto this bill are those from Democratic-voting communities, including both large Satmar factions, New Square, and democratic-leaning sectors of the Modern Orthodox community.
Do not rely on the public opposition of various Orthodox organizations or on any other communal leadership alone. It has not been sufficient; the grass-roots must get directly involved here. Please call her at 518-474-8390 today to respectfully urge her actively veto S138/A136, regardless of its much-hyped “safeguards,” which are even more worthlessly weak than they are temporary.
For more information, please email [email protected].
Not too long ago, we read Parashas Noach, containing the universal prohibition of murder, as well as the prohibition of suicide. Perhaps we should take that as a message to us, here in the largest Orthodox community in the Diaspora. By taking a simple stand against institutionalized murder, may we merit to avoid the tragic deaths unrelentingly plaguing our communities.
Thank you and Good Chodesh,
Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,
Executive Director
Help Rescue Our Children
Monsey, NY
Post Mamdani
Dear Editor,
There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that if you’re a landlord, Mamdani probably won’t be able to freeze rents on rent-stabilized apartments as the current mayor is considering appointing new members for six of the nine spots on the Rent Guidelines Board whose terms have expired. More good news for those living in the Five Towns or other parts of Nassau County, Westchester, Rockland, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, and North Carolina, your property values have increased significantly as many New Yorkers, including Jews, secular and Orthodox, are looking to get out of New York City quickly.
The bad news is that if you are a Jew who looks or dresses obviously Jewish, your chances of not being harassed, threatened, or physically assaulted is minimal to say the least, of course less so if you stay within the confines of your immediate frum area. The gates of hell will be open on January 1 as according to Mamdani’s campaign promises, Rikers Island may be shut down and the criminals would be set free to roam, loot, or continue their crime spree with a diminished police force as social workers would take the place of a portion of the NYPD. The police that will work will have their hands tied as the law of protection or law and order will not be in favor of the victim. No more police with riot helmets or batons holding down the marauding gangs, as that’s against their policy. Yes, the people who gentrified the worst parts of the city will just say ok and will deal with it as they really don’t care as long as they can walk their dog or ride their bikes. It’s all good until it’s not. Then what? What happens when the city begins to look like Detroit circa 1990? The low-income housing being built could enhance criminal behavior.
What about the antisemitism, or blatant Jew hatred on display? It is feared not one person with a family will be able to live in NYC, including Far Rockaway. All those beautiful yeshiva buildings could be a deserted waste. Don’t worry, Nassau County cops will be at the borders daily to make sure nothing dangerous comes in. This is socialism in NYC and sadly it’s an end to what you will say once was. Thank the frum community for coming together and supporting Cuomo, but it was not enough as the under-30 oblivious crowd along with many others kept us from winning the election.
The damage in the foreseeable future just enhances such dangers as 3,000 plus people could move into the center of Far Rockaway—those who are low income and homeless given a brand-new home. Let’s see how well that pans out for the area, as history of low-income housing in an area says otherwise. This is not a script for a horror movie, but a true scenario of the imminent future of NYC.
Reuven Guttman
Lawrence, NY
