Assemblyman Goldfeder Meets with Leaders of Agudath Israel To Discuss Potential New Laws Aimed to Protect Religious and Halachic Observance in End of Life Matters

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goldfederAt a meeting in Agudath Israel national headquarters, Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder (D- Far Rockaway) joined by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan), longstanding chairman of the Assembly Health committee, met with leaders of Chayim Aruchim (a division of Agudath Israel that deals with end of life issues). The meeting was to discuss the Jewish community’s concerns about the growing trend in many health care facilities and among many doctors to pressure patients and their families to forgo life-sustaining treatments, and instead choose palliative care designed simply to make the patient’s last weeks or months of life as comfortable as possible.

As explained at the meeting by the renowned oncologist Dr. Yashar Hirshaut, this dangerous trend may have been accelerated by the recent enactment in New York of laws requiring doctors to inform patients who are deemed to have less than six months to live of their palliative care options.

“Healthcare laws are put in place to protect patients and ensure that top level of care is being offered,” said Assemblyman Goldfeder, “At the same time we must also protect the religious rights and freedoms and ensure that everyone’s choices are respected.”

Also participating in the meeting was, attorney Moshe Kurzmann, Agudath Israel chairman of the board Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, Agudath Israel vice president for community affairs Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz (who chaired the meeting), and Chayim Aruchim staff member Berish Fried.

“I applaud Agudath Israel and thank them for their tireless work on behalf of the Jewish community,” said Goldfeder, “I appreciate their continued advocacy and look forward to their partnership locally and in Albany.”

Assemblyman Goldfeder and Assemblyman Gottfried acknowledged the seriousness of the concern, and pledged to work with Agudath Israel to come up with new legislative language to ensure that patients are made aware of all their treatment options.

{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}


2 COMMENTS

  1. And exactly what can Hon. Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder do that was not already done by Assemblyman and key Torah activist Dov Hikind

  2. Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan), longstanding chairman of the Assembly Health committee IS A KEY PLAYER FOR MEDICAL ISSUES IN NYS. Having a another voice in Albany, like Golfeder and
    Simanowitz is a win for our communityt and im sure Mr. Hikind is very happy to have new ally’s. Mr. Minyan Regular, it seems to me you are loooking to stir up trouble where there needs not be. Stick to prayers and leave the politics to professsionals.

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