Hamodia.com - The New York City Council has proposed a bill that would ban on the sale of all new fur items in all five boroughs, a plan that could have foreboding ramifications for shtreimel wearers in the Orthodox community.
Democratic Councilman Stephen Levin, whose district includes much of Williamsburg, told Hamodia that though the legislation was in its early stages, members were aware of the impasse it could pose to constituencies such as his own, and were favorably disposed to creating an exemption, should it advance.
“We heard quickly about the shtreimel,” he told Hamodia. “It’s my understanding that they are an article of a religious nature, in which case I would expect them to be exempt. That’s not in the language of the bill right now, but I certainly think that it’s an issue that ought to be addressed.”
Councilman Levin added that he felt the bill’s sponsors would be sensitive to conflicts with “religious freedom” of such a ban, and would be open to amendments to protect shtreimlach and other hats favored by the Orthodox community that are made from fur products.
The bill, formally introduced Thursday, calls for a total cessation on the sale of fur in New York City, leaving only exemptions for second-hand items, and threatening heavy fines for violators.
It follows a trend in several California cities, including Los Angeles, which recently passed a law to ban all fur sales starting in 2021. A similar bill was also introduced in New York’s Assembly earlier this year.
Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who is one of the measure’s sponsors, told local media that he felt the proposal was in keeping with the city’s values.
“As an animal lover, I truly think it is cruel to kill an animal for the sole purpose of people wearing a fur coat,” he said. “There is really no need for this. In a progressive city like ours, we need to take steps to protect animals.”
New York’s fur district in the upper 20s and lower 30s streets on the West Side was once a booming part of the city’s economy, which employed hundreds — if not thousands — of Jewish immigrants from Russia and other parts of eastern Europe. While the industry has shrunk considerably, the city is still home to some 130 fur shops. According to a recent poll, more than 60 percent of Americans see no moral issue with wearing fur.
The bill is being strongly opposed by the city’s fur industry, much of which is located in Speaker Johnson’s own lower-Manhattan district, which is home to over 100 fur-related businesses.
Councilman Chaim Deutsch (D-Brooklyn), Chairman of the Council’s Jewish Caucus, said that it was too early to tell if the bill would garner significant support, but was confident that it would not pass without exemptions to protect the customs of the Orthodox community.
“We have to keep an eye on every bill, especially if it stands to affect people’s ability to fulfill their religious obligations,” he told Hamodia. “I spoke to the speaker about it, and he was very receptive. I could not allow something like this to move forward without making sure the proper exemptions for the community were in place.”
It follows a trend in several California cities, including Los Angeles, which recently passed a law to ban all fur sales starting in 2021.
ReplyDeleteDoes the fur ban in LA make an exception for streimals?
I don't want to put ideas into anyones head but how can you justify banning fur and still wear leather shoes?
Where are we headed
ReplyDeleteSTOP VOTING DEMOC-RAT
Why dont we just develop alternative materials from which to make shtreimels and fedoras? It's not like there's any real religious imperative to Male them from animals, after all. This might even bring the cost down (hopefully)...
ReplyDeleteInstead of having Representatives that would fight tooth and nail for the constituents they're trying to make exemptions.
ReplyDeleteA streimel is not a religious hat in anyway. People wear it at weddings and special events. this is a shady trend as the courts won't be able to defend this exemption
This ban is evil because this is part of the animals are people too movement.
ReplyDeleteThe sponsor of the bill in the assembly was also the sponsor of an assisted suicide bill, showing the anti human agenda.
That said if they do ban this, I hope there is NO streimel exception!
As long as satmar supports murderers and homosexual for politicians this ban is rayu for them.
Instantly put 130 and who knows how many people out of business, the fur industry is no different than any other industry that uses animal products.
ReplyDeleteYou wont put anyone out of Business the reason why they need a Businees in the first place is because they need to purchase all these expensive items for themselves and support others that do so
ReplyDeleteHuh? Not sure how to respond to that one. There are many people who own and work at these businesses and make their livelihoods off of it. Most of them are small businesses which people rely on to pay their bills. I only have some familiarity with it because a while ago, I was looking to invest in a business, and I visited and researched a small fur shop in Manhattan. When I saw this post, it made me think of what would be if I had purchased that fur shop. This bill would have completely destroyed me financially, and even though I didn't invest in it, it will destroy many others financially. that is not the governments job.
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