Hasidic addition to NYPD
Photo: Reuters
Officer Baile Glauber of the New York Police Department does not work on Fridays or Saturdays, unless an emergency comes up. Residents of the small upstate town of Ramapo have already grown accustomed to the sight of this policewoman, who until recently belonged to the Hasidic sect of Satmar.
Currently in her mid-twenties, Glauber grew up in an orthodox family belonging to the town of Monsey's Hasidic Satmar community. As she matured she became an inseparable part of the community, and even married a man belonging to the sect. Three years ago the couple had their first child.
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However during recent years Glauber began to feel that the scrupulously orthodox way of life was not for her, and began to modernize and adapt her life to secularism while still upholding mitzvahs and maintaining a Jewish lifestyle. Two years ago she signed up for law enforcement at the Rockland Community College and graduated successfully.
She began to desire the role of a police officer while training at the local sheriff's office, and in February she was accepted into the officer academy. Two weeks ago she graduated, becoming New York's first ultra-Orthodox policewoman. Some members of her family attended the graduation ceremony in traditional black dress, and could be seen cheering Glauber on enthusiastically.
Rockland's police department was less enthusiastic about the new officer, who asked for special permission to refrain from working on the Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Eventually the district's prosecutor agreed to allot her the permission. However she must make herself available during the weekends for emergency calls.
Glauber had to pay an even higher price for her new occupation, though. She and her husband recently divorced, and according to members of the community she was forced to hand over custody of her child to his family.
Nissan Shtrauchler contributed to this report