Simcha Felder watch
Jewish Week:
The City Council’s only Orthodox member, who has opposed gay rights legislation, says he has no problem backing an openly gay colleague, Christine Quinn, in the upcoming vote for speaker. “She is certainly the most competent and qualified candidate and a pleasure to work with,” said Simcha Felder, an ordained but non-practicing rabbi who represents the city’s largest concentration of politically conservative Orthodox Jews in Borough Park, as well as some heavily Republican non-Jewish areas in Brooklyn.
He said he would vote in favor of the candidate selected by Brooklyn’s Democratic chair, Assemblyman Vito Lopez....
Felder, who has voted against equal benefits for gay partners of city employees and against recognition of gay unions formed elsewhere, measures sponsored by Quinn, said he believed she would be no more of an advocate for legislation that he opposes — on grounds that Orthodox Jewish law prohibits homosexuality — than other candidates.
He said Quinn, who represents areas of Lower Manhattan, has been an ally in his efforts to provide city-funded nurses in private schools and on other issues. “She’s been unbelievable,” Felder said. “She and her office have been extraordinarily helpful to this community.”
Some Borough Park observers see the fact that Felder has not supported Quinn’s closest rival in the speaker race, Bill de Blasio — whose district adjoins Felder — as part of a widening rift between Felder and his mentor, Borough Park Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who is backing de Blasio for the job. When asked to assess de Blasio’s qualifications, Felder said simply “I don’t know.”
Backing a gay candidate may raise some eyebrows in Borough Park. But it would also bolster Felder’s reputation for independence and maintaining affable relationships with colleagues with whom he disagrees...
Amid recent speculation that he would be offered a post in the second Bloomberg administration after co-chairing the mayor’s re-election campaign, Felder says he’ll keep his seat. He has been mentioned as a likely candidate for Brooklyn Borough President in 2009, when Marty Markowitz will be forced out by term limits.
The City Council’s only Orthodox member, who has opposed gay rights legislation, says he has no problem backing an openly gay colleague, Christine Quinn, in the upcoming vote for speaker. “She is certainly the most competent and qualified candidate and a pleasure to work with,” said Simcha Felder, an ordained but non-practicing rabbi who represents the city’s largest concentration of politically conservative Orthodox Jews in Borough Park, as well as some heavily Republican non-Jewish areas in Brooklyn.
He said he would vote in favor of the candidate selected by Brooklyn’s Democratic chair, Assemblyman Vito Lopez....
Felder, who has voted against equal benefits for gay partners of city employees and against recognition of gay unions formed elsewhere, measures sponsored by Quinn, said he believed she would be no more of an advocate for legislation that he opposes — on grounds that Orthodox Jewish law prohibits homosexuality — than other candidates.
He said Quinn, who represents areas of Lower Manhattan, has been an ally in his efforts to provide city-funded nurses in private schools and on other issues. “She’s been unbelievable,” Felder said. “She and her office have been extraordinarily helpful to this community.”
Some Borough Park observers see the fact that Felder has not supported Quinn’s closest rival in the speaker race, Bill de Blasio — whose district adjoins Felder — as part of a widening rift between Felder and his mentor, Borough Park Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who is backing de Blasio for the job. When asked to assess de Blasio’s qualifications, Felder said simply “I don’t know.”
Backing a gay candidate may raise some eyebrows in Borough Park. But it would also bolster Felder’s reputation for independence and maintaining affable relationships with colleagues with whom he disagrees...
Amid recent speculation that he would be offered a post in the second Bloomberg administration after co-chairing the mayor’s re-election campaign, Felder says he’ll keep his seat. He has been mentioned as a likely candidate for Brooklyn Borough President in 2009, when Marty Markowitz will be forced out by term limits.
posted by Yeshiva Orthodoxy
at 9:05 PM
6 Comments:
When will Dov Hikind learn you can't control everyone and everything.
Marty Markowitz is an oysvorf. He has flown the homosexual flag over Brooklyn boro hall and came out in support of homosexual marriages, as in Sodom. So why do some frum people cozy up to him? Why did the Iggud Harabbonim have him hosting their convention at his headquarters, Brooklyn Borough Hall ? Why did Gershon Tannenbaum, director of the Iggud, say that he loves Markowitz even though he came out openly in support of gay marriage (http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/305493p-261424c.html)???Because he made a sign Oy vey you left Brooklyn ? He is a bum and a clown. He just presided over a latke fressing contest - http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/378174p-321274c.html
The sooner he gets out, the better.
When will get rid of Dov Hikind?
Besides, lesbianism is not an issur Torah altogether, just a "mi'esa zach." It's certainly not an issur for b'nei Noach.
For some reason R' Avigdor Miller was very worked up about the gay issue. I believe R' Simcha Bunim Cohen - who follows the line of his grandfather-by-marriage - made a point of not supporting the Vaad's endorsement of Corzine, on this basis.
BTW, Simcha Felder is the brother of R' Shmuel Felder. (Just a minor point of interest).
Homosexuality is called a toeiva - chillul Shabbos is not called that.
The militant homsexual movement is pushing for public recognition of homosexual marriage. Our Chazal tell us that that was the practice in Sodom, which was destroyed - they wrote kesubos for same-gender couples, so it is ominous threat to our existence. It's one thing what people do on their own, but they want public recognition, stamp of approval and acceptance of their toeivas and that must be opposed.
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