The Jewish General Hospital’s crest — visible throughout the hospital — is a menorah. Its previous emblem, still visible on thousands of uniforms and lab coats, features the Jewish Star of David.
Photograph by Marie-France Coallier, The Gazette
Posted on 11/15/2013 2:01:45 PM PST by NYer
The Jewish General Hospital’s crest — visible throughout the hospital — is a menorah. Its previous emblem, still visible on thousands of uniforms and lab coats, features the Jewish Star of David.
Photograph by Marie-France Coallier, The Gazette
MONTREAL — Calling Quebec's proposed secularism charter "patently discriminatory," the Jewish General Hospital has vowed to defy any provisions that would prohibit its doctors and other employees from wearing the kippah and other religious symbols on the job.
This is the second time that the Jewish General has taken a public position against the charter since it was unveiled in September.
Bill 60 proposes a clause exempting hospitals and municipalities from the ban on "overt" religious symbols for a five-year "transition period." Hospitals could then seek a four-year extension, provided that they have taken "measures ... to achieve the objectives" of the legislation.
Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, the newly appointed executive director of the Jewish General, said the hospital will not even consider using the exemption clause in Bill 60.
"This bill is flawed and contrary to Quebec's spirit of inclusiveness and tolerance," Rosenberg said.
"Since the bill is inherently prejudicial, there is no point in taking advantage of any clause that would grant us temporary, short-term relief. If approved, this offensive legislation would make it extremely difficult for the JGH to function as an exemplary member of Quebec's public health-care system."
Rosenberg's position was endorsed by the hospital's board of directors.
The position is in stark contrast with the one taken last week by Normand Rinfret, executive director of the McGill University Health Centre. In a statement, Rinfret said the MUHC "appreciates the exemption procedure" in the bill and "intends to use it to its fullest."
Jean-François Lisée, the Parti Québécois minister in charge of Montreal, has specifically cited the Jewish General in justifying the need for an exemption clause.
But the Jewish General, in its statement on Wednesday, pointed out that "for nearly 80 years, the JGH has prided itself on the fact that its staff — representing a wide diversity of faiths, with many employees wearing conspicuous items of clothing with religious symbols — has provided superior quality (of care) to Quebecers of all backgrounds."
The hospital's crest — visible throughout the hospital — is a menorah. Its previous emblem, still visible on thousands of uniforms and lab coats, features the Jewish Star of David. All of those uniforms would have to be replaced at additional cost to conform to Bill 60, which in contrast, would allow some schools to continue posting the crucifix.
Rosenberg said the Côte-des-Neiges hospital — which treats patients from 150 nationalities who speak 72 languages — intends to submit a brief to the National Assembly outlining its objections.
FYI, ping!
A swastika, perhaps?
They need to join Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
Oh, and you don’t have to be a Jew to join.
:)
Am Yisrael Chai!
Probably not, but the fleur de lis would, in this case, suffice. 
A religious symbol in a hospital would give me comfort that I was being treated by folks who considered me more than just a sack of meat.
A crescent though... Probably not so much.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
..................
Good for them, particularly resisting in the face of an exemption, which can probably be "renewed" for a political price.
The hope of putting a damper on hate-filled, blood thirsty Islamic Jihad is stifling freedom of religion for those in the world who are really peaceful and tolerant of others.
I suggest they change their symbol to a bright yellow star.
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