Montreal, Canada – Jews Defends Religious Freedom at Hearing

    5

    Montreal, Canada – For three months now at the Bouchard-Taylor commission, they've heard criticisms of Jewish orthodoxy – its dress codes, its segregation of the sexes, its closed communities, even its kosher food.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    Today the Jewish community finally came to its own defence. "Freedom of religion and conscience are fundamental freedoms," said Steven Slimovitch, legal counsel for B,nai Brith.

    "What harm is there in a doctor at a hospital or a teacher at school who wears a religious symbol, whether it be a kippa or a crucifix?" Slimovitch asked.

    "It might upset some people and offend others, but those people's tastes and idiosyncrasies shouldn't take precedence, even if they're members of the majority."

    Going against the current of popular opinion expressed at the hearings, Slimovitch said there should be more accommodations of religious difference in Quebec, not fewer.  For example, a Hasidic woman who doesn't want to take a government driving test with a male evaluator should be allowed to ask for a female one. [montrealgazette]


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    5 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    biGwheeel
    biGwheeel
    16 years ago

    Moishie 8:56AM So did I. Or I wouldn’t know where the border of [cite de] Montreal and Outremont was. Furthermore, here in the Good Old USA, try to go out of our own[Yiddishe] enclaves, and you’ll find out how much we are loved!

    moishie
    moishie
    16 years ago

    Big Wheel – what are you talking about? do you live in montreal? On what are you basing your statements. I lived there for over 10 years. the yidden are tolerated at best. we are hated by the frenchies there!

    biGwheeel
    biGwheeel
    16 years ago

    Anon. 4:17PM There is no hatred (not even a little) against French Quebecois! Only some misinformation [on both sides of the issue]. To begin with, the French-Canadian population [who live in Quebec], being deeply religious themselves, have the utmost respect [and admiration] for
    all ethnic minority groups, and especially Religious and Chasidic Jews on all levels, both civilian and Government. Of course, there are exceptions. Such as was recently
    reported that a certain Monsieur (messieur) La Certe testified about his problems [real or imagined] with the neighboring Jewish community. And to the extent that there is some friction, it’s of a different nature. Sometimes, Political with a tinge of nationalism or other perception of being shortchanged. But all those differences can [and should] be ironed out through dialogue and mutual clarification of the issues.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Why is there so much hatred against french Québécois on the part of american orthodox jews. After all, the Québécois are providing you with an extensive public health coverage unavailable in the U.S., many state fund social services, the’re providing you with safe neibourhoods and they don’t harrass or make fun of you. Moreover they respect the environnement. Are you some kind of ostriches, heads in the sand!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    More quebecouis discrimination?!?! No surprise, they hate everyone but themselves! However, they reserve a special hate for yidden.