{{Short description|Volunteer Jewish All-Female EMT}} {{About|the all-female ambulance service|the female section in synagogues|Ezrat Nashim}} {{Infobox organization | name = Ezras Nashim | logo = Ezras_Nashim.png | logo_size = 150 | founded = 2012 | founder = | location = | origins = | key_people = Rachel Freier, Allen W. Cherson | region_served = | focus = | website = https://www.ezrasnashim.org }}
'''Ezras Nashim''' is an all-female Orthodox Jewish volunteer EMT ambulance service established with the goal of preserving women's modesty in emergency medical situations, especially childbirth, the group has 50 volunteers on-call 24/7 for women, or anyone else who needs them.<ref name="sandee" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vosizneias.com/2019/11/11/female-emts-bringing-dignity-to-chaos/|title=Frum Female Hatzolah Volunteer In Israel Decries Ban Against Ezras Nashim|first=Sandy|last=Eller|work=Vosizneias|date=November 11, 2019|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref>
==History== The group was formed after its request to add a female corps of EMT volunteers to the all-male Hatzalah organization,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vosizneias.com/91555/2011/09/18/new-york-hatzalah-to-add-ezras-nashim/|title=Hatzalah to Add Ezras Nashim|first=Sandy|last=Eller|work=Vosizneias|date=September 18, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2011}}</ref> the long-standing Orthodox Jewish EMT service in New York City, was rejected.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ny1.com/archives/nyc/manhattan/2012/05/28/woman-works-to-form-all-female-hasidic-jewish-emt-service-NYC_162015.old.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131200318/http://www.ny1.com/archives/nyc/manhattan/2012/05/28/woman-works-to-form-all-female-hasidic-jewish-emt-service-NYC_162015.old.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2017|title=Woman Works To Form All-Female Hasidic Jewish EMT Service|first=Michael|last=Herzenberg|date=May 28, 2012|work=NY1}}</ref> Hatzalah was the subject of controversy as articles in the ''New York Post'' <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/jewish_siren_ladies_Ax71jq2CgYYdWPcFmCzwWN |work=New York Post|first=Reuven |last=Fenton |title=Jewish 'siren' ladies |date=2011-09-26 |accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2019/10/30/hasidic-all-women-emt-group-faces-backlash-from-hatzaloh-members/ |work=New York Post|first=Reuven |last=Fenton |title=Hasidic all-women EMT group faces backlash from Hatzaloh members |date=2019-10-30 |accessdate=30 October 2019}}</ref> and ''JEMS Magazine'' criticize the organization for its discriminatory practice of not allowing women to join. The group of Orthodox women cited the need for modesty and sensitivity to the needs of fellow Orthodox women.<ref name="haaretz">{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2013-03-11/ty-article/.premium/ny-okays-haredi-all-female-rescue-group/0000017f-e3a9-d38f-a57f-e7fbbbbe0000|title=Ultra-Orthodox Female EMT group Approved in New York State|first=Debra|last=Nussbaum Cohen|work=Haaretz|date=March 11, 2013|access-date=31 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/jewish-women-brooklyn-launch-ambulance-service-expecting-moms-article-1.1029605|title=Jewish Women in Brooklyn Launch EMT Service|first=Simone|last=Weichselbaum|date=February 27, 2012|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=31 October 2016}}</ref> thumb|260px|Ezras Nashim's New Ambulance Rachel Freier worked on a project to buy an ambulance for the organization after having been initially approached about the idea for the organization in the summer of 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/11/04/ezras-nashim-finally-gets-first-ambulance/|title=Orthodox Jewish Community's All-Women EMS Service Ezras Nashim Finally Gets First Ambulance|date=4 November 2020|work=CBS 2 News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/10/25/trailblazing-lady-emt-s-in-borough-park-finally-get-ambulance|title=Trailblazing All-Female EMT Team in Borough Park Finally Gets Ambulance|first=Amy|last=Yensi|date=25 October 2020|work=NY1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/01/04/the_first_hasidic_woman_elected_to_public_office_in_the_u_s_started_work.html|title=first Hasidic woman in Public Office Started Work This Week|first=Ruth|last=Graham|date=4 January 2017|work=Slate Magazine}}</ref> Freier initially provided advocacy services for the group, and took over the directorship of the organization in 2012.<ref name="sandee">{{cite web|url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/special-sections/jewish-women-now/we-are-reclaiming-our-job|title='We Are Reclaiming Our Job'|first=Sandee|last=Brawarsky|date=18 June 2012|newspaper=The Jewish Week|access-date=6 November 2016|archive-date=1 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101043631/http://www.thejewishweek.com/special-sections/jewish-women-now/we-are-reclaiming-our-job|url-status=dead}}</ref> thumb|Mayor Eric Adams honors Ezras Nashim for “Women's History Month” at Brooklyn Borough Hall ===Branches=== * Borough Park<ref name="bp-approve">{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Rose |last2=Maisel |first2=Todd |title=State approves ambulance corps operated by Hasidic women, for Hasidic women |url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/hasidic-women-receive-license-to-start-ambulance-corps-in-midwood/ |access-date=4 July 2021 |publisher=Brooklyn Paper |date=24 August 2020}}</ref> * Monsey<ref name="bp-approve"/> * Flatbush<ref name="bp-approve"/> * Five Towns<ref name="bp-approve"/> * Stern College for Women<ref name="stern">{{cite news |last1=Carroll |first1=Yitzchak |title=Saving Lives at Stern |url=https://yucommentator.org/2019/12/saving-lives-at-stern/ |access-date=4 July 2021 |publisher=The Commentator |date=8 December 2019}}</ref>
===Licensing=== Ezras Nashim was licensed by the New York State Department of Health in February 2013,<ref name="haaretz" /> though the volunteer corps respond in their own private vehicles as Ezras Nashim is still awaiting a license to operate a full ambulance service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/brooklyn/news/2019/11/06/all-female-jewish-paramedics-fight-for-ambulance-license|title=Woman Works To Form All-Female Hasidic Jewish EMT Service|first=Jeanine|last=Ramirez|date=November 6, 2019|work=NY1}}</ref> In October 2019, a public hearing was held over Ezras Nashim's ambulance license at The EMS Council (REMSCO) of NYC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/orthodox-womens-emt-group-meets-resistance-within-community|title=Orthodox women's EMT group meets resistance within community|first=Stacey|last=Delikat|date=15 November 2019|accessdate=15 November 2019|work=Fox 5 News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/11/20/ezras-nashim-first-all-female-volunteer-emt-team-wants-an-ambulance/|title=Ezras Nashim, First All Female Volunteer EMT Team, Wants An Ambulance|first=Lisa|last=Rozner|date=20 November 2019|accessdate=20 November 2019|work=CBS 2 News}}</ref> thumb|Assemblyman Brian Cunningham honors Ezras Nashim with the “2023 Women of Distinction Award” In November 2019, The Council did not approve the motion, a failure of either side to produce a majority of 14 votes to either pass the motion or deny it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Orthodox Female EMTs Hit Setback In Fight For Their Own Ambulance|url=https://forward.com/news/435031/ezras-nashim-ambulance/|newspaper=The Forward|accessdate=18 November 2019}}</ref> Therefore, the case moved up to the NY State EMS Council for a Decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pix11.com/2019/11/19/license-for-all-female-emt-rejected/|title=License for all-female EMT rejected|first=Jay|last=Dow|date=19 November 2019|work=PIX11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/brooklyn/news/2019/11/20/all-female-jewish-paramedics-group-dealt-frustrating-blow-by-community-council|title=All-Female Jewish Paramedics Group Dealt Frustrating Blow by Community Council|first=Lori|last=Chung|date=November 19, 2019|work=NY1}}</ref>
In July 2020, a hearing was held at The NY State Council (SEMSCO) in Albany,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vosizneias.com/2020/07/08/video-ezras-nashim-and-supporters-come-out-swinging-at-albany-hearing/|title=Ezras Nashim and Supporters Come Out Swinging at Albany Hearing|first=Sandy|last=Eller|work=Vosizneias|date=8 July 2020|access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref>
In August 2020, the entire council overwhelmingly approved the ambulance application for Ezras Nashim in a 23-2 vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2020/08/13/all-female-hasidic-ambulance-corps-approved-after-years-long-battle/|work=New York Post|first=Reuven |last=Fenton |title=All-female Hasidic ambulance corps gets green light after years-long battle |date=2020-08-13 |accessdate=13 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/after-rejection-in-2019-license-for-all-female-ems-finally-approved|title=After rejection in 2019, license for all-female EMS finally approved|first=Jay|last=Dow|date=14 August 2020|work=PIX11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/brooklyn/news/2020/08/14/all-female-jewish-paramedic-service-get-license-to-operate|title=After Lengthy Fight, All-Female Jewish Paramedic Service Has License to Operate|first=Jeanine|last=Ramirez|date=14 August 2020|work=NY1}}</ref>
In October 2020, the group raised funds<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rayze.it/ezrasnashim/|title=Ezras Nashim of 93 Queen needs its own ambulances|website=www.rayze.it|accessdate=Apr 15, 2026}}</ref> and purchased and their first-ever ambulance, designed white with vivid purple stripes, which bears the Ezras Nashim logo in both English and Hebrew.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/all-female-orthodox-emt-debuts-first-ambulance/|title=All-female Orthodox EMT debuts first ambulance|first=Stephen M.|last=Lepore|date=Oct 25, 2020|work=PIX11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vinnews.com/2020/10/25/at-long-last-ezras-nashim-debuts-first-state-of-the-art-ambulance/|title=At Long Last, Ezras Nashim Debuts First State of The Art Ambulance|first=Sandy|last=Eller|work=Vosizneias|date=October 25, 2020|access-date=October 25, 2020}}</ref>
In December 2020, Ezras Nashim received their official ambulance certification from the New York State Department of Health and began operating the ambulance for medical emergency calls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vinnews.com/2020/10/25/at-long-last-ezras-nashim-debuts-first-state-of-the-art-ambulance/|title=Ezras Nashim Ambulance Certified by the NYS Department of Health, Will Start Service In a Few days|first=Joseph|last=Feldman|work=Vosizneias|date=December 31, 2020|access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>
In January 2020, Rachel Freier along with a delegation of Ezras Nashim members were honored in front of the entire New York State Assembly in the Assembly Chambers of the New York State Capitol Building in Albany, a resolution was passed recognizing the EMT members for their volunteer efforts of preserving women’s dignity during emergencies,<ref>{{cite web|title=Ezras Nashim Recognized in the Capitol of Albany|url=https://vosizneias.com/2020/01/14/ezras-nashim-recognized-in-the-capitol-of-albany/|website=Vosizneias|date=January 14, 2020 |accessdate=January 14, 2020}}</ref> [[File:93Queen.jpg|thumb|Ad for 93Queen in NYC on MTA Bus Stops, publicized by The Mayor's Office of Media Entertainment]]
In April 2021, Ezras Nashim was featured in ''The New York Times'' for recruiting dozens of Orthodox Jewish women and training them to be EMT medical professionals in New York City.<ref name="nyt-women">{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Emma |title=They Told Her Women Couldn't Join the Ambulance Corps. So She Started Her Own. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/us/ezras-nashim-womens-EMT.html |access-date=4 July 2021 |work=The New York Times|date=19 April 2021}}</ref>
In March 2019, New York Mayor Eric Adams honored Rachel Freier and Ezras Nashim members with a citation for Women's History Month at Brooklyn Borough Hall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ezras Nashim Recognized During Women’s History Month|url=https://www.5tjt.com/ezras-nashim-recognized-during-womens-history-month/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221111505/https://www.5tjt.com/ezras-nashim-recognized-during-womens-history-month/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2024-02-21|website=Five Towns Jewish Times|date=April 2, 2019|accessdate=April 2, 2019}}</ref>
In June 2023, New York Assemblyman Brian Cunningham honored Rachel Freier and Ezras Nashim members with the “2023 Women of Distinction Award”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/372922|title=Judge Ruchie Freier and Ezras Nashim were honored with the '2023 Women of Distinction Award|date=January 8, 2017|work=Arutz Sheva}}</ref>
In February 2024, Ezras Nashim was approved a license to operate as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Volunteer Ambulance Service. This allows them to train their EMT members as paramedics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C3U4BzLt1UC/|title=Instagram|website=www.instagram.com|accessdate=Apr 15, 2026}}</ref>
In September 2024, Ezras Nashim has expanded its fleet with a second ambulance, purchased for $220,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abc7ny.com/post/hasidic-jewish-volunteers-run-ezras-nashim-female-emt-crew-based-borough-park-brooklyn/15275075/|title=Hasidic Jewish volunteers run groundbreaking all-female EMT crew based in Borough Park|first=Lindsay|last=Tuchman|date=September 6, 2024|accessdate=September 6, 2024|work=WABC-TV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ny1.com/nyc/brooklyn/news/2024/09/18/all-female-orthodox-emt-service-looks-to-expand|title=All-female Orthodox EMT service in Brooklyn looks to expand|first=Rebecca|last=Greenberg|date=September 18, 2024|work=NY1}}</ref> This will allow them to navigate heavy traffic more easily and improve response times in the Jewish neighborhoods.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2024/09/05/us-news/all-female-hasidic-emt-corps-ezras-nashim-expanding-brooklyn-footprint-with-second-ambulance-advanced-training-i-felt-safe/|work=New York Post|first=Nicole|last=Rosenthal|title=All-female Hasidic EMT corps expanding Brooklyn footprint with second ambulance|date=September 5, 2024|accessdate=September 5, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vinnews.com/2024/09/06/brooklyns-orthodox-jewish-all-female-emt-corps-adds-second-ambulance-amid-growing-demand/|title=Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish All-Female EMT Corps Adds Second Ambulance Amid Growing Demand|first=Joseph|last=Feldman|work=Vosizneias|date=September 6, 2024|access-date=September 6, 2024}}</ref>
In May 2025, Ezras Nashim has expanded its services by adding new branches in Crown Heights and Flatbush, where the new ambulance is providing emergency services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brooklyn.news12.com/ezras-nashim-volunteer-ambulance-organization-expands-into-crown-heights-and|title=Ezras Nashim volunteer ambulance organization expands into Crown Heights and Flatbush with new ambulance|first=Julia|last=Burns|date=May 13, 2025|accessdate=May 13, 2025|work=News 12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ny1.com/nyc/brooklyn/news/2025/05/21/all-female-orthodox-jewish-emt-group-gets-new-ambulance|title=All-female Orthodox Jewish EMT group gets new ambulance|first=Rebecca|last=Greenberg|date=May 20, 2025|work=NY1}}</ref>
Several items from Ezras Nashim, among them a two-way radio and a modesty dress, were acquired by the National Museum of American History in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-museum-american-history-announces-new-acquisitions|title=National Museum of American History Announces New Acquisitions|website=www.si.edu|accessdate=Apr 15, 2026}}</ref>
==Media==
Ezras Nashim was the subject of the 2018 documentary film ''93Queen''. The film follows Rachel Freier, as she runs for public office and creates the first all-female ambulance corps in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/11/20/ezras-nashim-first-all-female-volunteer-emt-team-wants-an-ambulance/|title=Ezras Nashim, First All Female Volunteer EMT Team, Wants An Ambulance|first=Lisa|last=Rozner|date=20 November 2019|access-date=20 November 2019|work=CBS 2 News}}</ref> negotiating her community initiative within the context of a male-dominated Hasidic community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jiff.com.au/films/93queen|title=Jewish International Film Festival 93Queen -|website=www.jiff.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/25/93queen-the-incredible-story-of-the-all-female-hasidic-emergency-service|title=93Queen: the incredible story of the all-female Hasidic emergency service|first=Adam|last=Gabbatt|newspaper=The Guardian |date=July 25, 2018|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>
The director of the ''93Queen'' documentary is Paula Eislet who first encountered the Ezras Nashim organization through Yiddish language news reports.<ref>Eiselt, P. (2020). On Making 93Queen. ''Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies'', ''38''(2), 277-279.</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Women in Judaism}}
Category:Ambulance services in the United States Category:First aid organizations Category:Hasidic feminism Category:Jewish medical organizations Category:Jewish women's organizations Category:Jewish organizations established in 2012