A top Manhattan politician slammed the NYPD’s decision to boot a Hasidic recruit from the Police Academy because he would not trim his beard.
Fishel Litzman, who was just a month away from joining the force, refused to cut his scraggly fuzz because it would violate his religions beliefs — and was then drummed out of the NYPD.
Saying he was “deeply troubled” by the decision, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer declared Saturday that the NYPD had unfairly canned a deserving candidate.
“While the NYPD can exercise control over the personal appearance of its force in order to ensure that all officers are capable of performing their duties,” said Stringer, “they are also required to make a reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs.”
Stringer, a 2013 mayoral candidate, called on Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly to reconsider the ruling — but the city’s top cop would not touch the issue Saturday.
“I am not going to comment on it because it’s obviously going to involve litigation,” said Kelly. “I would simply say that (communication on the issue) has been ongoing for quite a while — since actually before this gentleman came into the Police Department.
“So there’s been a lot of notice, a lot of interaction, and I’m not going to say anything more about it because it will involve litigation,” Kelly said.
Litzman, a 38-year-old Lubavitch Hasid, claims he was never given an official reason for his dismissal.
He was cited the first time for his beard on Jan. 27 and was written up again a week later.
Litzman, a father of five, sent a memo in March to the NYPD explaining that he was forbidden to cut or trim his beard in any way.
He scored well on tests and was considered a promising recruit — but his beard was deemed a safety hazard, according to a police source.
The masks recruits wear during counterterrorism training don’t fit over the beard, the source insisted.
The firing was in the works for months and Kelly signed off on the dismissal Thursday, sources said.
The NYPD has two dozen Orthodox Jewish officers on the force. The men, who are permitted to observe the Sabbath and wear yarmulkes under their police caps, are required to keep their beards trimmed.
#16: would it help you to know that I know him personally and that HIS BEARD IS NOT TOUCHED, that is the way he grew in. He is a very intelligent, and very capable, moral, upright Chabad Chosid. You sound foolish to say that, and you should apologize in this good person’s kovod. There is so much hefkerus here, it is just amazing. People, hold on to your thoughts before you unleash them, this is also a place where you need to learn to hold back on your loshon hora. Halevai alot of you with your weird cheap comments should… Read more »
when did they use masks any how they are not firefighters??????????????????? hope you win lawsout
KOL HAKAVOD
this is extremely ant-semetic and should not be happening nowadays, besides his beard is so small any way it will fit under a mask just it won’t be so comfortable for him
What I meant is scragly beard. Clean shaven or timed so it looked clean is ok. Don’t go telling me that you have seen a cop with a long beard? Please. Again, the wrong doing is if they did not tell him before. According to the head chief, this has been an issue from the start. He says himself he had to write a letter.
They will lose,reinstate him and/or pay a big settlement.
Call the ACLU
Today when so many by us trim the bird. its a real KIDUSH HASHEM !!!!
Reminding every one that in Lubavitch you Moser Nefesh for this!!! Wake up every one. A LUBAVITCHER DONT TRIM!!!
He is absolutely amazing, no matter what they say.
This wasnt the only instance of such behavior from the nypd
Fischel, you are great!
The Second Circuit recently upheld a policy
Of a police department (not the NYPD) of not
Allowing people With an IQ much above average.
They don’t want smart cops . They want cops that
Do as they are told. I think our brother scored
Too high on the test .
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SCHKOYAH’, TO this real hassid of the rebbe ,i will say ,when a lubavitcher doig this on the last galus of this generation he’s giving nah’at to the rebbe and to hachem,we need more peaple like him to encourage other hassidim who’s afread of the new pharaon of today,thank’s to him we schould give him a medaiile for honoring his religion so strong,very ggood attitude ,i love it,he schould go mechail el h’ail
Hey Fish ignore all the haters. The NYPD picked the wrong yid to dismiss.
To all those with negative comments, eat hay. Fishy is a man with integrity, self sacrifice and dedication. After 9/11 he joined the bucket brigades at ground zero, where were you?
who i’m sure only mean to say good things about another yid, and i’m sure you didn’t mean it, but seriously, it’s really rude to condemn a person based off of your royal highness’s opinion, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it, do us all a favor
NO ONE WANTS A COP WITH A BEARD??? HUH??? TALK FOR YOURSELF!
actually, its a great way to earn a decent living. why do you think its more jewish to not work and live off everyones taxes?? actually according to torah one should WORK for parnassa!
You’re a cowerd. You should not become a police officer or firefighter. BH we have some frum leople with courage. Ashreinu matov chelkeinu.
I hope he sues and wins!!!
Ill be glad to give my tax money to a jew who stands behind his religion.
Unfortinatly, we have digenerated to where some see living on section 8 as more respectable than an honest days work. Yeridas hadoros maybe.
actually i took a look at the requirements and not much there…sorry #fail #rebuked
Someone who makes such comments is the real idiot.I happen to know fishy very well. He has saved many lives, and mark my words he will be the top cop of Newyorks finest
Its not about a Chosid Its about endangering your life being a police officer or a fire fighter. let the others do that.
Hazolah is not dangerous.
How does a wife with kids live everyday knowing her husband is a fire fighter or police officer
its very dangerous and risky
I started to read some of the comments. Some were intelligent, some were not. Some were in keeping with ‘Shulchan’ Aruch’ some were not. All shared one thing: No names! So all your writers are either not too interested in your own comments or ashamed of them or afraid of something. I am ‘non of the above.’ If there might be a danger to an officer, and it has real grounds in ‘reality’ then he should either trim his beard or perhaps, take a desk job (If it exists) with The NYC PD. ‘Dina de malchuta dina.’ I used to… Read more »
You try the exam, then comment on how easy it is, ok????
Never give in- obviously it is gam zu l’tova. And thank you for your inspiration of giving up a good job l’kiddush hashem
From my time in Camp in Detroit I know you to be a upstanding individual and I would trust your judgement explicitly. I was just a one camper of many but you took the time to care and look out for me. I am not sure if you will read any of the comments and you probably would not even remember me if you did. Not because you do not care to recall but simply that I am one of many that you went out of your way for. May G-D bless you and your family with only joy and… Read more »
I know of at least three very Chassidishe Lubavitchers who have beards no longer than this.
“trying to understand”?!? nice way of starting your comment, then jumping to conclusions, making fun of someone based on your made up conclusions?? is that really how you work? “he must not be physically fit or is a complete idout” I think we can all tell who the complete idiot is in this case… “and thank you for suing…” again, your own conclusions, does it say that anywhere? “it’s nice to know the immaturity of this man” looks who talking! “what a world we live in!!!” yes, i agree with you on this one! A beautiful Kiddish hashem, and some… Read more »
Oh, he’s been working on this for years, got dismissed because of his beard, which made it into the news…
Why dont you just email kelly saying, he already trims his beard, and solve all the issues??
No one wants a cop with a beard. He must have known that it was not a regular look for a cop. The only wrong doing from the police departman is if they did not tell him before. According to the article they did.
I agree, he should become a doctor
he has helped so many and is an unusually gifted EMT
the cops don’t deserve him
hope he wins some moolah from this and goes to Med School
Fishel is awesome. Your mashpiah will have Nachas.
Fishel , you are the man , the real deal , always was and always will be. Fishel puts his heart and soul into everything he does , both physically and spiritually. To all the haters out there … Keep taking medicaid , WIC , food stamps , instead of getting a real job , very smart… While guys like Fishel work to protect you and your family. Want to hear the best news ? As a paramedic and hatzolah volunteer , despite your negative comments , Fishel will still jump out of bed at 4 AM when the radio… Read more »
To #1 and 2:
in all generations, a chosid made a living, an honest one
In all the stories, the chosid ran an inn, owned a lumber business, etc. Why should u comment like that? A CHOSID would not talk like that
whats wrong with being a plice officer? oh so because hes not in a chabad house doing shlichos, he cant be a police, he can do shlichos anyhere!! whats it of your bussiness anyway!?
It is so nice that we can all be so supportive of a fellow chosid #2,7,15,16 you all sound like disgusting people. Im rooting for you fishy you are 100% in the right and you will win. Hatzlacha in your fight
From our many years together in CGI I can tell you that this man is a very special Yid. This article does not come at any shock, both that Fishel is ready to join a line of work that would put his life at risk on a day to day basis, nor that even such a dream would never make him consider touching his beard. ou always were, and clearly always will be a real inspiration.
Iv spoken to many cops and they said this whole beard thing is very silly there are cops that have longer beards in the NYPD then him. Everyone knows him to be a really nice guy who has helped many people.
And BTW what about those woman officers who have there hair in a ponytail thats not a safety hazard? Its time for them to wake up and except the fact that they will have bearded POs just like the sheikhs can wear their turban’s in the NYPD
NYPD is looser.
I hope you are ready at 120 to be judged, the way you judge others.
I know many Rabbi’s and frum people that have never touched their beards and have much less beard than him.
worry about your beard
He does not trim his beard. Look at the picture. if he trimmed it it would not look like the way it does for a newspaper picture.
agree with #15
agree with #15
agree with #15
mach zach nisht narish just go and became a very good DR
said Kelly. “I would simply say that (communication on the issue) has been ongoing for quite a while — since actually before this gentleman came into the Police Department.
“So there’s been a lot of notice, a lot of interaction
and 3 year waiting list? where is that information from? sources please. top student of 800?now your being petulant.
Thank you # 15
he already trims his beard look at it! you call that an untouched beard?? PULEEEAASE!!!!
spare me!
second of all, he knew the rules coming into it, why is this such a shock? you obviously dint do the reading you say you did “The NYPD has two dozen Orthodox Jewish officers on the force. The men, who are permitted to observe the Sabbath and wear yarmulkes under their police caps, are required to keep their beards trimmed.”
1. He took the exam before the age of 35 and there is a waiting list that can take at least 3 years.
2. he got an average of 99% on his tests and shot 100% at the range (daily news).
3. he was actually the top student out off 800 recruits!
4.dont jump to conclusions when you dont know the info.
trying to understand how a 38 year old male applied before he was 35 and is just now graduating from cop school…it doesn’t take nearly that long to pass the exam. whats wrong with him, he must not be physically fit or is a complete idout. how hard is the test already? half the cops on the streets are complete dopes! for what it’s worth, he’s not really much of a candidate anyway and should be happy his life is not in danger everyday he goes to work. and thank you for suing, youl get a buttload of cash and… Read more »
Law
Suit
2more
Ka
Ching!!
We are rooting for you here in Philly! -Sara Atkins (Rotman) and family
Let the world know that we dont compromise
Since when did the Lubavitcher Rebbe limit chasidim for doing an honest days work. Obviously he is keeping to the Rebbes standards.
it say in the torah that he cant?
ditto
of a beard to begin with. and if he wants to be a policeman and was dismissed, he can always join shomrim. isn’t it where all those who wanted to be a policeman when they grow up end up?
in any case, 38 is kind of ate to play cops and robbers.
officer witriol of wiiliamsberg has an untrimed beard & peyos ?
This guy is a genuine guy and a true Chassid. Our society needs more people like you!
What a Kiddush Hashem let the whole world know that there are people out there who are true to their beliefs just like you
I know people that are alive today because of him. The most experienced Paramedic iv ever met! Fishel we are all supporting you!
A Lubarvticher Chasid should not work as a police officer any way