The following is a Fox News article:
Women helping women in Brooklyn: an all-female crew of Orthodox Jewish emergency medical technicians wil hit the streets Tuesday to provide a much-needed service in the community.
Rachel Freier says it was a struggle, but the all-women’s Orthodox EMT corps is now a reality. Ezras Nashim EMT Service will cover Borough Park, Brooklyn. The idea was to serve Hasidic women who are uncomfortable with Hasidic male EMTs when they’re in a physically vulnerable position such as child birth.
All of the women are certified EMTs as well as having other certifications. Member Melanie Kail is even a volunteer firefighter in Woodmere, Long Island.
The organization also has what they call a fly car. Some women don’t have cars so if you’re the EMT who is on call you get a car equipped with an air horn and lights. The EMT can drive to the emergency to meet up with a private ambulance company that Ezras Nashim has a contract with to transport patients.
So far, this all-female Orthodox EMT corps has about 40 medics. It hopes to expand to other towns, cities, and even Israel.
(Source: MyFoxNY)
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38 Responses
This was started by a feminist tomboy who thinks women should be like men. She herself said in the Fox video “if women can be lawyers and doctors like men, they should be able to run on ambulance calls like men too.”
“Member Melanie Kail is even a volunteer firefighter in Woodmere, Long Island.”
WOW!! now that is a really comforting feeling to know that one of them is EVEN a firefighter!! 🙂
It is (It’s) so embarrassing that an organization that wants to look professional can’t punctuate its (possessive form of it) own sign correctly!!
Stupid & impractical. What will these “Frum” lol feminists think up next?
Sorry but im not understanding what is driving the cynical objections listed in these comments. If this organization will be used only for women in labor, what ever could be wrong….let them do whatever makes them comfortable having your 10 kids…
Wishes for Hatzalacha Rabba.
Many women prefer female doctors as internists, surgeons and OB/GY doctors…so why is this new emergency organization causing such friction.
A firefighter has attended hours of EMT and medical know-how, YES, what a plus to have an EMT/firefighter on board.
#4- If these women were to save the life of one of your loved ones (or any woman, for that matter), would you still call them stupid and impractical?
It is quite common in cultures in which modesty is valued (not just among frummer Jews), that women do not particularly like to deal with male medical personnel, and prefer to deal with female medical personnel. Most frum women are brought up with the idea that they don’t let men touch them.
Indeed, there are medical schools in other countries that are all female in order to meet the need for female medical personnel, and its surprising that we haven’t made an effort to eliminate the need for male medical personnel treating women. Traditionally, Jewish women never used male doctors, and used females midwives exclusively (admitedly in that period they would call a male surgeon, who often was also a barber to perform a caesarean but by that point the mother had died)
#7: These broads are not organized to provide life saving services nor are they equipped for such. G-d forbid anyone in need of life saving services calls this service.
This whole women liberal thing in Hatzolah is ridiculous.
5 points:
1)How often does a woman need to give birth by emergency with hatzala?????
40 women to a community that has maybe only 2 such occurances a week (and where not all will davka want women)
2)Halachically there’s no sheila for a man to deliver a baby in case of emergency
3)Feminism has a very very negative meaning in our torah; anyone with the right hashkafos knows how wrong this is. For someone that proclaims herself a feminist; we know the truth behind all her doings. Nothing about helping pple, everything about making a statement; looking for attention.
4)As a family with quite a few women holding Paramedics licenses in our pockets for many many years. We did it so: if the mitzva of saving a yid arises. Where there have been plenty. We were specifically tzanua about it, knowing that it is more of a masculine job and that we wanted to focus on the mitzva of it and no propaganda.
5) If you look at the history of what this women has involved herself in the past. You see a woman with very poor hashkafos. If we were to take all the statements and involvements of her in different stories and issues to someone like reb chaim kanievsky. I am sure anything she does wouldn’t be approved of.
This organization was established because Hatzola would not allow women to join their staff, even if only dispatched whan requested by a female patient. Time will tell if the community calls this organization or Hatzola.
Guys, don’t worry! I’d be more concerned if they called the organization “EZRAT NASHIM”.
“These broads are not organized to provide life saving services”
Wow. Such a perjorative term!
“1)How often does a woman need to give birth by emergency with hatzala????? 40 women to a community that has maybe only 2 such occurances a week (and where not all will davka want women)”
Nobody has to call them, they can call hatzalah or dial 911.
“2)Halachically there’s no sheila for a man to deliver a baby in case of emergency”
Neither is there anything halachicly wrong for these women to call another woman.
“3)Feminism has a very very negative meaning in our torah; anyone with the right hashkafos knows how wrong this is.”
So, all women who use a female ob/gyn instead of a male when their academic and technical skills are equal have skewed hashkafos? Interesting.
“For someone that proclaims herself a feminist; we know the truth behind all her doings. Nothing about helping pple, everything about making a statement; looking for attention.”
Interesting. Especially since the target community is Boro Park, hardly an area known for its feminists.
“4)As a family with quite a few women holding Paramedics licenses in our pockets for many many years. We did it so: if the mitzva of saving a yid arises. Where there have been plenty. We were specifically tzanua about it, knowing that it is more of a masculine job and that we wanted to focus on the mitzva of it and no propaganda.”
Very praiseworthy of you.
5)If you look at the history of what this women has involved herself in the past. You see a woman with very poor hashkafos. If we were to take all the statements and involvements of her in different stories and issues to someone like reb chaim kanievsky, I am sure anything she does wouldn’t be approved of.”
So, take it to him and have him not approve. Until then, dont pasken for him.
“1)How often does a woman need to give birth by emergency with hatzala?????”
It is probably very rare. They likely get her to the hospital where she then gives birth. Do you think this is all about childbirth? Do you believe that a woman who r’l falls down and breaks her hip wants her next door neighbors husbands hands all over her pelvic region with three other men standing around her while she is in quite a vulnerable position including a state of undress she may not be comfortable with them seeing her in? What about the woman who has trouble breathing r’l in the middle of the night, does she want the guys who came in for a shalom zachar 3 months ago to start “handling” with her while she is in her nightgown? You cant see where a woman would be uncomfortable with this? You’d rather see this as an issue of feminism and not simply someones discomfort? May hashem grant you many years of health, and that neither you or anyone you know should ever need the services of hatzalah or ezras nashim and spare you from ever finding out how you would feel in such a situation.
To Yanky 55: it will never happen. We call Hatzalah if CH”V they’re needed! My wife & daughters have used them over the years without any guilt what so ever & that is why we support and encourage others to support Hatzalah as well.
Yes, you’re right. Ruchie is the Sarah Imeinu of our generation. Such a Tzinuah & Baalas Chesed! She is obviously a Navi also. As a true Tzadeikes, she must open her home so Klal Yisroel can line up outside her door for Brachos, Yishuos, Segulos, etc…
When a woman is in a medical emergency that requires immediate attention, she is not thinking about whether a man or woman or neighbor or stranger will come rescue her.
#15
IF THE TORAH AND OUR TZADDIKIM ARE OK WITH MEN SAVING WOMENS LIVES, THEN SO AM I!!!!!
Also, which woman in a state of distress really has the koach or time to think of the fact that a man is touching her? Anybody thinking that this organization is anything more than simple exploitation of tznius for the sake of advancing fame and attentionseeking is really wrong. When you look at the past comments, national television, discussions openly on some of the most private discussions/issues in the jewish community precisely by those “tznius seeking” women. It all screams dishonesty and personal agenda. I’m sure that if this org would’ve been established with less pomp. Less advertisement. Less media attention then many more people would;ve wanted to be mechazek them. All the people I know have said that they would davka not call them. Because their personal agenda is Fame and attention seeking. And as I said before; the one running this organization as I’ve personally witnessed has acknowledged and stated that she’s a feminist. So I think anyone especially with the hashkafos of a “nightgown” would probably want to rethink why he’s supporting or even understand a few desperate pple!
A pashute yid:
You’re so supportive! I’m afraid you might want them to treat you. dont you?
There are studies showing that women in cultures in which women routinely wear modest clothing and do not engage in physical contact outside of marriage, and this isn’t limited to the frum community, tend to avoid medical care to avoid having to deal with males, especially if that involves physical contact.
The reverse also is true. Many frum men are uncomfortable being touched by female health care workers. This suggest we need more females in jobs that are largely male (e.g. EMTs) and more males in jobs that are largely female (e.g. dental hygienists, nurses, etc.).
This isn’t necessarily a matter of halacha, but sociology: people in cultures that don’t engage in gratuitious physical contact between sexes tend to avoid getting into situations where they will be compelled to engage in such contacts.
Feminist Shmeminist……
When the privately contracted ambulance $ervice(which will be staffed by only women I’m sure…..) bill$ your in$urance company for the trip to the ho$pital where will all that $$ go?
And what if your company reject$ the claim?
(Not to mention Paramedic/ALS serivces can be billed at a much higher rate)
Geula. Is this something that is against halacha? Is a woman not allowed, according to halacha, to call upon another woman to help her? Do not make up halachos to suit your so called hashkafos. If you, your friends and neighbors dont call them, then they will go away eventually and move on to something else. If hashem ever makes it that I go into labor and my wife is not available to drive me to the hospital, perhaps I would consider calling them.
UJM. Do you speak for all women? Most women? Have you or anyone you know taken a poll of women to gauge their level of comfort?
“Also, which woman in a state of distress really has the koach or time to think of the fact that a man is touching her?”
Why limit it to her time of stress? 20 minutes after the stress has passed and the hatalah crew is crowded around asking questions and filling out forms there is no time for discomfort? Is she supposed to move out of town after the emergency? Do you not understand that some women, perhaps not you, might not be comfortable upon seeing this person a week later? Clearly, your mind is made up. If c’v you are in an emergency, we know who you will call. Thats fine, nobody suggests you do otherwise, not even Mrs. Freier. If everyone feels the way you do, then nobody will call them and they will close up shop.
A pushatayid:
you are so illiterate. You have a problem comprehending the simplest of things. Re read everything. You must either be a woman am haaretz with little learning background. Or ,, truly as your name suggests: “a pushatayid”
Waste of time even thinking or reading what you’re writing.
#19- I’m afraid your comment is despicable. Don’t you?
I’m sure R’ Chaim would consider it as such. And if he had to choose between doing what this woman is doing, and trashing her (as you have done here publicly), I have no doubt he would choose the former. So much for your tznua/tzadekes show.
UJM- do they teach boys to speak like truck drivers (“broads”)in Satmar or did you pick it up on your own?
God forbid I should ever need but i would definitely prefer a woman to a man.
To thise who are saying tthat in the moment they dont care if its a woman or a man, this is true in the moment. But the next morning when they think back, most likely they will be much more embarrassed if it was a man.
Yanky55: I’m not Satmar or even Chasidic. Do they teach you to lie in YU?
apushatayid: The issue here is that these clowns are doing this for an illegitimate reason, namely to show women can do what men do. The bubbe maaisas they are peddling to sell this to the public is for public relation purposes only.
And they can c’v cause serious medical damage if someone calls their “fly car” instead of a real ambulance service during an emergency.
one thing is for sure I wouldn’t want the guy who called our wifes and daughters broads to get anywhere near them shame on you
And now you have again proven my point, geula. Why don’t you go back to focusing on mitzvos and stop insulting people? (comment #23)
sadly those are the guys that want to have a say on the right standards of yiddishkeit
I don’t see anything wrong at all in having women do the job actually being women they are probably much better at itespecially since those emt’s had hours of hands on delivery room training which i doubt any of the choshuve yingerlaat ever had
I have a problem understanding? Since I am such an idiot, why not spell it out for me in a way that even a simpleton such as me will umderstand.
It seems that most of the negative comments are the males. Why tdon’t we ask the women what they think about this. Have all the men forgotten about Shifra and Puah and the pivotal role they played in Jewish history?
By the way, Moreinu Chaim Kanievsky was asked about a similar organization in Israel. He not only approved he gave his wholehearted blessings to it
So to sum up. There a few hatzala guys who are afraid of these woman muscling into their territory, and a few women who have a bone to pick with them.
I am proud to be a women and I am proud of the group of women who want to make a difference. I think that the more that is offered to people the better. I know that a women perspective can make all the difference in the world. As a women I would be very pleased if a WOMEN EMT showed up on my call. Please post the phone number. Thank you
As a Hatzolah member- all of the negative comments are plain stupid. Women this, women that- WHO CARES. If they want to do what their doing and people want to call them and do so, great. Supply and demand- if there is demand, then they will need to continue to supply, if not then not. Honestly, if they lower our call volume, I think every Hatzolah member would be happy (except for the visible minority who pathetically live on taking calls). I know for a fact that the majority would rather not run out of work, home, shul, yeshiva, etc as much as we have to.
What does bother me though is the deception of the organization. They have EMTs and Doulas, etc (which is wonderful) but they don’t have Paramedics (or doctors which some Hatzolah divisions have) which outrank them. When someone is in active childbirth, you want a medic, not an EMT. As an EMT, the moment the medic gets on the scene, I step aside (and for tznius, behind the patient). EN cannot provide paramedic services for either mother or child (and Hatzolah dispatches medics to EVERY active childbirth). Same goes for difficulty breathing, cardiac or altered mental status calls (etc.). Also realize, if a patient calls BOTH EN and Hatzolah and EN shows up first, once a Hatzolah medic is on scene (or even a 911 medic) or if we have a bus on scene, EN must step aside by REMAC protocols. I wonder how much machlokes this will cause.
To want to do what they want to do- I commend them. We don’t get many OB calls, but for the few we do, if they want to take them (or any others for that matter), kol hakavod! Just don’t deceive the population by implying because you have EMTs and Doulas and a contracted private ambulance to do the transports (which will bill insurance), that you have the same capabilities as Hatzolah or 911 (which you will never have since even if you got a volunteer ambulance license, getting a license to run paramedics on a volunteer basis is rare).
Just my two cents.
Home birth with a good midwife will prevent many childbirth transports. Just a point to think about.
I still dont think this is strictly about OB calls. Some females simply prefer a female attend to them, no matter what the situation. My childrens pediatrician recently brought in a female PA for all girls who would be more comfortable being examined by a female. Girls as young as 11-12 years old request to be seen by the female.
I have a funny feeling people looked at the founders of hatzalah the same way and said, a bunch of heimishe guys in beat up cars and a certification as emt. Cant compare to the training, resources and experience of the EMS.
35-YM: I don’t have time to argue with you, but if you’re the least bit honest, you know that Ob calls are BLS. So you have medical professionals on Hatzola, EN are EMT’s, which in most cases are good enough!