Hasidic Women Start Their Own EMT And Ambulance Service

A group of Hasidic women who were denied membership in an all-male Orthodox ambulance corps has decided to branch out and start a women’s-only EMT group.

Denied by men, Hasidic women start own EMT group
By REUVEN FENTON • New York Post

A group of Hasidic women who were denied membership in an all-male Orthodox ambulance corps has decided to branch out and start a women’s-only EMT group.

Hasidic lawyer Ruchie Freier held a recruitment drive in her Borough Park home on Sunday and managed to sign up about 50 female EMTs trainees who had been turned down by Hatzalah.

The new core is called Ezras Nashim – Hebrew for “helping women” – and will assist patients giving birth who are uncomfortable being treated by a man.

“We’re energetic, smart Hasidic women and we’re fighting for modesty,” Freier told the Post.

Freier had won the endorsement of several prominent rabbis and Assemblyman Dov Hikind in her efforts to get women into Hatzalah.

But Hatzalah higher-ups decided to keep the organization men-only for fear of mingling the sexes and of possibly delaying response times by stopping to pick up the women EMTs.

“We initially were looking to join Hatzolah as a separate division. We got the endorsement from some [rabbis]. But when we approached Hatzalah, they said it would create a delay in service,” Freier said.

“We decided we don’t want that. We weren’t looking to create controversy in the community.”

Ezras Nashim plans to get its sirens wailing by September.

“We’re really excited about it,” Freier said. “We just felt it was the right thing to do we were determined to make that happen.”

[Hat Tip: Ruthie.]

Comments

[David]

So....are people going to now die waiting for EMTs of the appropriate gender to turn up?

Saving a life is the ultimate mitzvah and these pagans are violating that as well as most of the other mitzvot.

This is just crazy.

[ultra haredi lite]

Frightening to the think of the chaos that will be created at the scene of an accident as they fight over the barely breathing body of a transgendered victim...

[Dovit]

Good for them. Why would an Orthodox woman want a man caring for her? She's not even good enough to sit next to on a bus, but she's supposed to bare her body for him? Hell no. Now women can call these EMTs instead of the sexist males. Problem solved.

[Sol]

Good for them. It can't hurt and obviously there is a need. A women in need doesn't have to call this unit, but they have the option to.

[Sol]

So....are people going to now die waiting for EMTs of the appropriate gender to turn up?

Saving a life is the ultimate mitzvah and these pagans are violating that as well as most of the other mitzvot.

This is just crazy.

Posted by: David | February 28, 2012 at 06:04 AM

this is a separate division, you would have to call them to get their services.

From the article "will assist patients giving birth who are uncomfortable being treated by a man." so as you see it is an optional service for people who want them. It is not being forced on anyone and will not disrupt the currently available EMT services.

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

This is an extremely dangerous precedent for the frumma.

Women thinking for themselves and taking charge, creating their own ambulance force because the men didn't let them join the Boys' Club Ambulance?

What next? Once women are allowed to think and act for themselves, and telling the men to go shove it, this sets a dangerous precedent.

The holy rabbis will have to put a stop to this women's ambulance very quickly.

Controlling women is the most important part of any extremist religion.

[reuven]

hatzoloh in all 5 bp & willy get only 2-3 birth calls a wk. / by law you need a medic on scene for a birth / most woman interviewed wanted the most experienced & capable the man woman deal was secondary/ this frier lady is trying to copy THE NEW SQUARE MODEL do we want bp to be like new square????

[Malka Gittel]

But to be an EMT don't you have to STUDY? Non-religious subjects? Surely no Jew should do such a thing. Especially women who should all be at home with their children and not risking their tickles being knocked out of place while engaged in a possible emergency delivery. And if it's on a Friday who will prepare for Shabbos at these women's homes? It's an outrage I tell you!

[Malka Gittel]

G-d preserve us from iPhone spellcheck - that's tichels! I need a jPhone that speaks the Yiddish and Hebrew I type!

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Reuven, it's not just about birth calls. Women of all ages get injured, feel ill, etc. and need an ambulance.
But as you say, a sensible female patient would want the most capable and experienced person there, not the most religiously politically correct person there.
So who is really the problem here? Probably the men in the all-boys' hatzoloh. It's not about halacha, it's about men who don't want women around.
My town, many years ago, had no Jews. There was a volunteer ambulance corps here, and they would not allow women to join. So a group of women started their own volunteer ambulance on the other side of town. Eventually they were far more successful, and the all-mens' ambulance ultimately closed down and merged with the women's ambulance group!

[shanda]

wait and see when the bitches start fighting

http://www.google.com/search?q=why+women+fight+dog+fights&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&tbm=vid&ei=P-ZMT5u3O8X5tgePk70g&start=10&sa=N

[Jeff]

What next? Once women are allowed to think and act for themselves, and telling the men to go shove it, this sets a dangerous precedent.

Indeed. Next thing you know, they'll want input into halakhic decisions affecting women. Oh, wait...

[Gevezener Chusid]

All of the negative comments spewed here are just evidence that many of you have no idea what women in the frum community is about. NOBODY but NOBODY feels that women should not be empowered in ways that are appropriate for them to be empowered, and this is a fine example of that - IF THAT IS WHAT THEY CHOOSE.

What WOULD be wrong would be for a Hassidic Hatzoloh man to refuse to treat a woman because it would involve touching her, etc.

I am no longer Orthodox (although I am toying with the idea of going back to keeping shabbos) but lies really piss me off.

[who knows]

What WOULD be wrong would be for a Hassidic Hatzoloh man to refuse to treat a woman because it would involve touching her, etc.

Posted by: Gevezener Chusid | February 28, 2012 at 08:54 AM

What would be wrong? Are you completely morally blinded by Judaism? The man who would refuse to help woman because it would involve touching would be a murderer and should be put in jail for life as a danger to society at large.

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Gevezener, before you get all pissed off at me, here are the facts that I've read about this, and please correct me if I'm wrong:

1. Male first aiders cannot refuse to touch a woman during a medical emergency; no rabbi would justify such a refusal.

2. But what constitutes an emergency? If a woman needs transport to the hospital for a scheduled treatment (and a lot of ambulance calls are like that) or other nonessential call, and it's definitely not an immediate life-or-limb threatening circumstance, can male first aiders touch her?

3. Women want to join the Hatzoloh, and not necessarily because of any halachic issues regarding patients. Women also enjoy the feeling of emergency volunteer first aid work. So why can't they join? Can they ride in the ambulance with men? Can they attend meetings of the Hatzoloh group? Training sessions?

4. In religious neighborhoods, where everyone knows everyone, maybe a female patient would rather have a female volunteer handle the more physically intimate stuff, like helping a patient undress in the ambulance. Are you saying that's never a cause of unease for a female patient?

5. What's really the problem here? Are they really prohibited from these things as per the religion, or is it just that Hatzoloh is a Boys' Club of guys who don't want the discomfort of having women around the all-boys clubhouse?

6. Can't Hatzoloh always use qualified consciencious new members, especially those who could add a new dimension to the care? Maybe some patients would feel more 'comfortable' with a woman on the rescue team, whether it's a religious thing or not, especially if the call involves an OB/GYN matter, or if a woman has to take off some clothing for a heart monitor, etc.

7. If you can give me a reason why an intelligent reasonable capable woman can't join Hatzoloh, please do so.

[Jeff]

Can they ride in the ambulance with men?

What, and breathe the same air? Oy, chos v'sholem!

[Waiting4Moshiach]

So what happens if some drunken irish falls down and sprains his foot and sees this truck? He waves, but it cannot stop for him not because he is a goy but because he is not a woman. But he does not know this so then he comes to hate us and so we see this is bad for Yidden. At the least there should be signs onn the front and back "for ladies only" so there can be no confusion.

[who knows]

Thanks W4M for a great idea. We should create Men Only and Women Only emergency vehicles. We could also put appropriate signs on the vehicles (same as the ones used for restrooms). This will show us Religious Jews as a true light unto the nations.

[ya ya]

IF these chasidic men layabouts wont have the 'pleasure' of treating and ogling women they wont join the hatsoloh. No point.

[kishka]

The lady is standing by the steps. The baby is starting to come out. She finally decides to call the girl ambulance. The girl ambulance rushes to get there. She decides to go through a red light. At the last second she gets scared and makes a short stop. !0 cars bang into her. Baby falls out on steps. End of story.

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Yeah, women can't drive, or make up their minds about complicated stuff.

Why don't they just stay home and cook nice meals for their husbands? Washing the kitchen floor is also a good idea for these yentas. That's what the Torah says they should do.

Besides, hasidic men are much better drivers.

[Jeff]

Besides, hasidic men are much better drivers.

HA! LOL!

[Sol]

most woman interviewed wanted the most experienced & capable the man woman deal was secondary

So I guess they wont be calling for this service!

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Sol, don't be so sure. I'll bet a lot of the women volunteers are also doctors, nurses, health care workers of various kinds, and EMT's or paramedics who work for NYC.

When an all-women group started here in my town in 1967, they were also laughed at by the all-men volunteer ambulance service.
Now, the all-women group has 75 members (men and women), answers about 800 calls per year, and the all-mens group has since disbanded and given over their trucks to the all-women group.

[Chicago Sam]

The Gemora says only a shoteh Hassid would let a woman drown, rather than look upon her.

Today, Shoteh Hasidim are legion.

I think that the women's EMT should have ample vehicles to do their job properly. Otherwise, it will never service the population adequately.

[Chicago Sam]

Great story Wooly!

[Gevezener Chusid]

to woolsilkcotton: Although you know the answers already to all of your questions, I will answer them too: 1. Yes absolutely. 2. I don't know. 3. for the same reasons that men and women among the frummies do not mix in social situations and only mix in work situations when absolutely nessary 4. Quite possibly. 5. those two things are not necessarily separable. And even if it were the "men's club" (Unmarried boys as far as I know are not admitted to membership either)so what? They do good work. Could they do better? Perhaps. Would they do better in a gender-mixed setting? I am pretty sure that they would NOT and in fact many qualified Hatzolo EMT's would have to leave the organization for reasons that have been denigrated zillions of times on this blog both by the Blogster and by the commentators including yourself. 6. Perhaps one of the qualifications for joining an organization that you want to be effective is more that your co-volunteers feel comfortable working alongside you, as opposed to what the patients might want. Patients always have the choice of calling 911 instead of Hatzoloh if they need emergency service, and 911 responders are sometimes women. 7. that is for Hatzoloh members to answer, not me, since I am not a member. I personally believe that this very good organization would not be well served by the admission of women to it because it would make the frum men uncomfortable and they would leave - or worse, they would become distracted and unable to perform optimally.Many of them are simply not acculturated to secular mores.

Don't forget that you are dealing with an organzation that provides their services primarily in and for the Haredi communities which do not share your values.

I think it is wonderful that Hassidic women are taking it upon themselves to fill this niche.

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Check out the photo. Some of these new ambulance babes are making my heartbeat speed up... do they have a number to call yet?

http://www.vosizneias.com/101868/2012/02/28/brooklyn-ny-fifty-orthodox-women-sign-up-for-ladies-ambulance-corps-hikind-says-we-should-applaud-them

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Gevezener, thanks for your response. I appreciate the concerns you raise.

It is difficult to sort out and untangle which are genuine halachic issues, which are the 'cultural' issues of religious Jewish men being uncomfortable around religious women, and which are just fat-headed men who don't want women around (as was the case in my town years ago).

[Gefilte Fish]

While I generally applaud any attempt by women, frum or otherwise, toward empowerment, I have to conclude that having separate all-female and all-male EMT services will only lead to loss of life. I envision that the frum societal pressure for women to call the all-female EMTs in ALL cases (not just childbirth) will increase. ("Oy, did you know that Yankel's mother called the men's Hatzoloh when she was having a heart attack? I wouldn't marry into THAT family.") Sadly, people will die because they chose to wait for EMTs of the "correct" gender.

P.S. I think that "Ezras Nashim" refers to the area of the Beit Hamikdash that was set aside for women. Thus, the term would be better translated as "Women's Area" rather than "helping women."

[Abracadabra]

... and of possibly delaying response times by stopping to pick up the women EMTs. ...

“But when we approached Hatzalah, they said it would create a delay in service,” Freier said.

Why would it create a delay in service? And why do they have to stop to pick up the women? Something here does not make sense.

Unless it is because many Chassidish women are not allowed to drive according to their archaic rules (you have to admit, not allowing women to drive is CRAZY and is the case in most of the Chassidic sects except Lubavitch).

I also agree with Gefilte Fish about the frum societal pressure to call the "right" Hatzolah in an emergency, and that this will cause loss of life.

In every neighborhood where they are established, Hatzalah's response time is superior to that of 911. And for those who do not know, THAT is the reason it was started. As everything "new" there was a lot of backlash and naysayers in the frum community about Hatzalah when it first started. People were against it and the biggest reason was that a frum man shouldn't be mechalel Shabbos for something stupid like a sprained ankle, it should be left to goyim. The men who started Hatzalah did so with a lot of critisism from the community. But once they started saving lives, and the response times compared to 911 were cut in half, word spread very quickly and Hatzalah became the widely accepted service that it is in many communities.

Therefore, calling Hatzalah when you live in a neighborhood that has one is a no brainer.

Most people panic in Emergencies and do not think well on their feet, their brains get muddled by the panic. Because of that responsible people train their children and themselves to memorize Hatzalah's phone number and program it into their phones. They train their children and themselves with drills - what do you do in a medical emergency? Call Hatzalah. When someone is hurt? Call Hatzalah. What is the phone number to Hatzalah? 718-230-1000.

When you THROW IN ANOTHER ORGANIZATION and you require that someone in a panic has to call the "gender correct" emergency medical corp, you are adding precious seconds that can mean the difference in a person's life. At a time when EVERY SECOND COUNTS (a heart attack or stroke) having to STOP AND THINK about which organization to call, is throwing a monkey wrench into the panic that ensues while the brain is working in panic mode.

There needs to be ONE PHONE NUMBER to call in case of a medical emergency. Gender should not make a difference, nobody should have to stop for even a second to think "male or female? call this number or that number?" because one second turns into two and multiplies very quickly, and for those emergencies where time REALLY matters - it's risking people's lives.

And for what? Because the Hatzalah guys are afraid of getting aroused by having female workers working with them? C'mon. Seriously! It's like any man working in a business where he hires female secretaries. You just HAVE to deal with them. And most Chassidish men do deal with women at work.

This is also a dangerous cultural precedant for seeming to make it okay to prefer being medically treated by one gender over another. THAT IS NOT OKAY. It is insane. The next thing you know you'll have seperate lab technicians, seperate nurses, doctors, hospital wards, etc. It's not only nuts, but it opens the door for dangerous risks being taken under the guise of "piety".

WSC - I think it's great that the women in your neighborhood did that, but this is not a similar case in the sense that the gender issue was not religiously based there, and blamed on some supposedly holy or pious reasons. The fact that this Hatzalah issue IS based on religious idiocy, will set the stage for dangerous outcomes and a possible loss of life.

[BenIsha]

I say if we give them enough rope they will hang themselves. The reality is that under the model she's proposing, it will cause a delay in care, and g-d forbid the death of a few people. When enough of that happens, people will stop calling them and they will become irrelevant.

[Abracadabra]

Sorry for the long posts, but I feel VERY strongly about this. The reason is because someone very close to me, a woman, collapsed in a frum neighborhood. Her heart stopped. Someone started CPR on her immediately, and Hatzalah was called. She had what was called "Sudden Cardiac Death". Thankfully she not only survived, but in the end (after a lengthy recovery) she had minimal cognitive (brain) damage and physical damage. If she would not have received immediate CPR, and immediate medical care, she could have either died, suffered major brain damage, or been relegated to no more than in a vegetative state after recovery. The risks were very high and EVERY second counted.

When she colapsed and Hatzalah was working on her, her shirt was ripped open and they had to shock her heart to start it beating again (more than once). This was a SERIOUS life and death situation. There were no seconds to spare. And there was thankfully NO hesitation by ANYONE involved in the matter.

Now imagine a world in 20 years from now where it is culturally preferable in the frum world that there are 2 seperate EMT organizations - one for women and one for men. It also becomes culturally UNacceptable for someone to call the "wrong" gender EMT. Besides for the natural panic delay when you have to STOP to think WHICH EMT to call, there is a now a cultural acceptance and preference to the idea that only men service men and only women service women. Not only is it cultural, it is called "kedusha" - holy.

In such a cultural environment, would a frum man not hesitate to have given the women above CPR? If the "wrong" EMT service was called, would they have done all that was necessary? Would there be EMT on hand who are knowledgeable enough to intubate her in the ambulence when they couldn't get her heart to restart (which is what happened).

This is not about the women competing with the men in WSC's community in the 1960's. This is about setting a precedence for the acceptibility of requiring the seperating of genders in medical matters, even when it is a matter of life and death.

And THAT is what is unacceptable, and the most probable outcome of this "Ezras Nashim".

They should fight for Hatzalah to accept women volunteers. There is nothing more "immodest" about Hatzalah men working with women volunteers as there is with Hatzalah men treating women, or taking the bus, or walking down the street, or working in an office with female secretaries. It's a necessary part of life. And Hatzalah needs to accept it.

I'm sure her intentions are good, but Ruchy Freier is setting a dangerous precedent. This is a REALLY bad idea.

[Abracadabra]

One other point that was made by a poster on VIN (I wanted to see what the reaction to this was by VIN readers).

Hatzalah men are trained to leave the house in the middle of the night in their pajamas. They are not allowed to put on socks in the middle of the night lest they waste precious seconds.

Now, Ruchy Freier is saying she's all concerned about tznius. Are you telling me that these frum women will jump out of bed in the middle of the night and leave the house in their nightgowns and snoods? Unless they sleep fully clothed, how do they plan on responding in a time efficient way compared to the men? And I'm only bringing this up because it is specifically in these FRUM societies nowadays where a woman dare not be seen without her shaitel. And if she putting socks on in the middle of the night when responding to call must be done BECAUSE of "tznius", wont that interfere with precious seconds which could mean the difference between life and death?

Did anyone think about that?

Some people on VIN are mistakenly stating that this will ONLY be a service for women giving birth. A nechtigatuug. They want a full EMT service.

Another issue is funds. You mean to tell me that for every ambulance, now there needs to be TWO ambulances because of this gender division? Uh huh. Like people have extra money laying around for yet another unnecessary "tzedakah" cause.

By the way, did I mention that I think this is a bad idea? :P

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Abracadabra, I feel your pain, and I agree with you. I do believe that the women on this new venture are all experienced medical people who can handle anything at least as well as the men on Hatzoloh can.
That being said, it is silly and dangerous religious insanity to have a need for gender-separate emergency squads. This is all part of the mental illness that has taken over the religious community. I cannot allow myself to agree with Gevezener Chusid that there is a cultural reality among the frum community that compels this need or want for a female emergency squad.
Enough is enough.
There is no religious requirement that forces separation of men and women from being on the same emergency squad. There is no religious requirement that forces men and women from riding in an ambulance together, or taking courses together.
Let the men get pyschiatric treatment if they cannot work with women.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
LET WOMEN JOIN HATZOLOH.
We are no longer in the Stone Age.
This is not Saudi Arabia or Iran or Indonesia.
STOP THE INSANITY.

[AztecQueen2000]

So long as it's limited to childbirth, I really don't see the problem.

[ultra haredi lite]

Hatzolah = Man Cave

[Dr. Dave, not old enough to know better]

Now will these ambulances only pick up frum people.

And heaven forbid, if there is a disaster, will they send out large buses equipped to handle disaster. The women would of course be sent to the back of the bus.

[hasidicgirl]

FOR THE PERSON THAT WROTE: "Besides, hasidic men are much better drivers."
I geuss you were not the one I cut off and outraced you to get a spot...on saturday night....i was driving...my husband was in the passenger seat.....and a dude and i both wanted the same spot at the same time...well...geuss who got the spot??? me! not becasue im pretty but because....im not as you would laugh and ridicule me as " a lady driver" u made a u turn a few cars ahead of me...and i made one right there...i wanted to wave a banner to all male fools who think they drive better than women....the joke is on you...im not a mean person at all....im just tired of male chauvinism...at the same time....i do not think the this group will be succesful as it may actually cause a slowdown in the 3 minute response rate of Hatzlah....for instance if something happens to a female....people will be deliberating whether they should call hatzalah or ezras nashim.....(i personally passed out about a year ago....hatzalah was very respectful and i truly admire and appreciate that. however i can imagine that now....people would say..."wait...is she pregnant? whome do we call?"....and so on...i do wish them luck as there seems to be a need for many woman who do feel uncomfortable with male EMT's....(this opinion coming from a total feminist...but i am realistic..) My husband disagrees with me and thinks that this is a great cause....go figure... :)

[WHY I WANT FEMALE HATZALAH]

Can I insist on a female hatzalah because I prefer mouth to mouth from her than someone who just finished his bagel and herring for lunch with remnants of his morning egg in his beard?

[Abracadabra: World Famous Mekubal, Gadol, Baal Moifes & Lamed Vavnik. Brachos Only $36, 3 for $100.]

WSC - Thank you.

And I definitely do not think that one gender would be better at the job than another - that was not what I was saying. It's just that Hatzalah is already an established, fully running, smooth operation with all the right and experienced people in the right places. Reinventing the wheel and creating a new operation solely consisting of women is ludicrous.

According to someone who posted on VIN claiming he is a Hatzalah volunteer in Boro Park, there are 2-3 calls from women giving birth every MONTH. It's just not a frequent Hatzalah call in Boro Park.

And if the WHOLE point of this is for birthing women, then there is no reason Hatzalah can't designate a group of women solely for dispatching to women giving birth. The dispatcher will put out the call for a woman to answer, but if a man gets there faster, then so be it.

But that is clearly not the point of this venture. It's just another frum craziness.

Sure, women are "more comfortable" being treated by women. When you have a medical emergency, it's not a time to start getting specific about the minute details of your comfort zones.

Hatzalah needs to just get over itself and allow women to join the force.

[David]

Now imagine a world in 20 years from now where it is culturally preferable in the frum world that there are 2 seperate EMT organizations - one for women and one for men. It also becomes culturally UNacceptable for someone to call the "wrong" gender EMT.

Posted by: Abracadabra | February 28, 2012 at 08:04 PM

I can tell you where this is heading. In ten years (or sooner) frumma women will simply not get medical care because they will refuse to see a male medical doctor. This already happens in Islamic societies upon which the frumma are increasingly modelling themeselves (further proving that they are no longer following Judaism). Of course, the chances of finding a frumma doctor are minimal anyway, unless they happen to be BT's. FFB doctors are exceptionally rare due to their lack of basic education.

[David]

Among the frumma, MONEY is more important than group loyalty. I am waiting for the first lawsuit whereby the "correct" gender EMT's were sent but it can be shown in court that the opposite gender EMT's could have arrived some minutes earlier thus saving the life or the mental faculties of the patient.

[David]

There is simply no way a dual-gendered Hatzolah service can be maintained for the same cost as the single gendered one. This is insane. As was pointed put, there is no Halachic prohibition whatsoever with dual-gendered-staffed ambulances. When you have an entire community that is uneducated for multiple generations over multiple decades, these are the sort of problems with which you end up. Whom do they think is going to pay for this nonsense?

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

David, the taxpayers of NY will pay. The new women's group already has the local politicians advocating on their behalf. You can bet the NY taxpayer will be handed the bill for startup expenses.

[kishka]

you guys all miss the point. it's all about feminism. why is it always the man, the man, the man? women can do just as well. that's what ruchie freier has in her head.

[SkepticalYid]

Or is it sensitivity towards female hassidim who would prefer not to have a man viewing and handling their exposed body?

[kishka]

this is mot always true. i'm a man, and i would much rather have a nurse put a "foly" in me than a male nurse.

[kishka]

sorry. "foley"

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Kishka, I had a Foley put in last year because of a serious urinary problem. Believe me, very unpleasant, especially when you are obstructed, no matter who is putting it in.

Ruchie Freier was not allowed to join Hatzoloh. That's why she started the new group. Nothing to do with feminism. Everything to do with religious men who have mental problems interacting with women in any capacity.

[Yankl]

The hatzola men are afraid they won't get see women's privates anymore. This was their biggest perk aside from parking illegally.

[David]

The hatzola men are afraid they won't get see women's privates anymore. This was their biggest perk aside from parking illegally.

Posted by: Yankl | February 29, 2012 at 10:12 PM

I feel horrible saying this but unfortunately I really think that is true. We are talking about cultists that have no connection with normality, nor indeed, Halachic Judaism (e.g. the reason the women want a separate EMT service is because the men claim that men and women can't be in the same ambulance but there is no Halacha that supports this). (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

[disgusted]

You all disgust me-

Most of you sound like you are jealous of Hatzolah VOLUNTEERS (yes we volunteers) I am not chasidish- I am an average jew- take that however you want-
I wear a suit and tie to work every day-
I run out of meetings when there is a call.I leave my warm bed in middle of the night- I mis family Simchas (and on and on and on) Try weaving in and out of Manhatten traffic aprx once a day with lights and sirens.
In my 8 years on Hatzolah I have never been on a call where a lady was in labor.

I make a difference
I dont think woman should join not because i dont want them joining "our boys club".

I have valid points why I dont agree with Mrs. Freir. However, I will keep them to myself. You all seem to have it figured out---

[curiousity]

I'm looking forward to there being female shomrim too. I don't think our tax dollars, though, should be used on things that aren't inclusive.