Comments on: Why Are Crown Heights Patients Getting Second-Class Care?

By: Yakov Kirschenbaum

Yakov Kirschenbaum — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:59:32 +0000

BH Why is the author of this article anonymous? If she can’t stand by her own article, how are others expected to?

(Most newspapers never publish anonymous articles.)

By: Can cause missed medical info.

Can cause missed medical info. — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:55:30 +0000

Another point, which is less of Halochic one;
The medical treatment/diagnosis can be negatively affected.
For example, when a Bochur goes for an appointment and a CH’er female aide/nurse in same age group comes to fill out standard paperwork questioner, he may not answer fully honestly or may feel uncomfortable to give real answers. then the doctors don’t reask the questions, they just read the computer file – which may lead to them missing important information that would have been provided if only asked by someone else.
(this has happened, isn’t just a hypothetical)

By: A bochur

A bochur — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:04:50 +0000

I spoke to a few of my friend in Williamsburg. They said that everyone in williamsburg knows that oda is much less carefull than the other clinics. People who care about these things more don’t use them. This is not specifically a crown heights issue. It’s an oda issue

By: Ridiculous

Ridiculous — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:16:51 +0000

This is just so unfair. I’ve personally had care there and have been shown nothing but the utmost respect. They always offer to make you comfortable and will bend over backward to accommodate.

The bochur working there is likely attempting a medical career and is gaining experience, and the fact that the ODA is helping out is beautiful.

If you’re ‘too religious’ for a frum medical office than maybe you should check yourself before attacking a wonderful institution, which is run by the Rebbe’s personal doctor.

Shame on you for writing a hit piece on them.

By: We get what we deserve

We get what we deserve — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:09:00 +0000

I know a lot of people have been complaining about the ODA. All I have to say is where were you guys when all the young Lubavitch doctors and PAs and nurses begged the community to financially support our own practices. It’s the same group of people that complain about crime and yet allow three new low income housing units to be built in our neighborhood. We are our own worst enemy and it doesn’t just apply to ODA, it also applies to many of our restaurants, and everything else that “outsiders “take over. It’s been an issue for decades,We don’t want to work or build so naturally others come in and do it then we complain. Vote with your pocket books, daven early, and go build crown heights

By: contact

contact — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:16:10 +0000

In reply to A fellow ch'er. You should contact Rabbi Kestenbaum who is currently in Florida, he owns the place and will very quickly take care of all problems, he is a ehrlich yid who will not stand by such disgracefully practices (PS part of the problem is the people working in the office which some are from our community who are not standing by the rules, management can not tell them to adhere to community standards when they claim to be of the community themselves)

By: Satisfied patient at ODA

Satisfied patient at ODA — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:45:47 +0000

I am very happy that we have ODA in Crown Heights. I am not a rov, but when a medical assistant comes into the room to triage a patient and closes the door, is it yichud? The door is not locked and anyone can open the door and walk into the room. In fact, many times when I am being triaged by a medical assistant, another employee walks in to ask the M.A.. a question. I also think that we are lucky to have a federally funded clinic. As a senior citizen,living on a tight budget, I appreciate the fact that I do not have to pay any deductibles or co-payments. I would like to see more experienced doctors and/ or PA’S on staff.

By: Where is Merkos

Where is Merkos — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:33:58 +0000

In reply to Suspicious.

Where is merkos?

Just kidding.

But it’s annoying when more and more people ask this question when it’s really not relevant.

By: Exactly

Exactly — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:17:17 +0000

In reply to Crown Heightser. You are 100% right. Lots of tea women (and men) don't look frum (to me, let alone to them), how can you expect them to think that this is a prominently frum community?

By: Crown Heights

Crown Heights — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 06:05:02 +0000

Medical care has nothing to do with tznius. If you go to the clinic, hospital or any professional Doctor you get care either way, no matter how you or they are dressed. People are saying that ODA has patients who aren’t dressed properly so that’s why we have lower standards of care! C’mon.
Medical care depends on which doc you get. They do have a choice there BUT not always do you get a doctor so instead you see a P A
Regarding closing doors, it’s done for privacy reasons regardless if you’re a male or female. No one needs to hear a doctor talking thru an open door!

By: Mendel

Mendel — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:42:44 +0000

Yes, that is very true.

I am a Bochur, and I had an appointment with Dr Rosen – which I waited for a very long time.

When I finally got the appointment, he came in with a young female nurse, which made me very uncomfterble, and couldn’t discus what I had in mind…

It’s time for the community to speak up.

Maybe the new “Vaad Hakohol” can help?

By: Suspicious

Suspicious — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 04:09:41 +0000

I have to admit was always suspicious of the ODa merger. B”H I am glad my wife and I decided to switch our primary to a physician outside of Ch. It was the best move. Even though that physician recently retired moved to Florida I still won’t come back.
Not surprising The care here is communist style One Dr is the face and there has been no new competition within suggested or allowed. The urgent care On Lefferts and Kingston was forced out My guess strong armed. They can’t control the other urgent care centers around They would if they could. Even more shocking with such a large population there are no local specials and no Dentists regular or specialized. My guess,? Same reasons old style Russian politics just. Like the lady 2 unreal selections for Rabbonim which were jammed down our throats either yes or no on only one choice! That cannot continue it happens because of weakness and non belief The Rebbe to these people is just a. Memory invoked when needed or for fundraising purposes nothing. More. Other than those occasions it’s a free for all.

By: Where's Dr. Rosen

Where's Dr. Rosen — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 03:39:17 +0000

With all due respect..
1) Dr. Rosen was the one that put them in CH.
He was supposed to make sure proper tzneous guild lines are upheld.

2) Unfortunately the ODA administration walks into CH & sees how the woman dress, why should they think CH is any different that a goyish neighborhood.

It’s very sad that that is where the Rebbe’s neighborhood is.
We have no one but our selves to blame.
Kudos for the few that are standing up for shulchan aruch.

By: Women Wellness

Women Wellness — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 02:51:16 +0000

Thank you for the comment about Women’s Wellness. I looked it up online and it’s on Lefferts and seems very good for women of all ages. Bh, we have more options in our neighborhood.

The ODA did help my daughter who needed an iron infusion and the hospital had no appointments available. They fitted her in that week and she felt much better.

By: True

True — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:44:32 +0000

In reply to Obviously. Obviously just walk down the street in ch and then try in borough park

By: Oda dentistry

Oda dentistry — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:10:50 +0000

ODA Adminstration and Dr. Rosen:

If you are reading this please bring a dentist office to crown heights. Ever since Lerner/Gamms closed the community is in dire need of a dentist.

That would really be appreciated.

Yosef G

By: Crown Heightser

Crown Heightser — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:04:38 +0000

Unfortunately our standards are lower than other communities, where they often have separate men’s and women’s waiting areas and they are all dressed in the chassidishe garb. Sit in the ODA waiting room one day for the whole day and observe . Are all women walking in with full sheitels and fully tsnius, and are all men wearing a hat and jacket? By what we wear, even if you may say it’s a superficial way to judge someone, it shows on the inside, that yes our standards are lower. We have no tsnius or frumkeit police in lubavitch, so everyone is in charge of themselves, and this is what you get.

With all this, I think the ODA is doing a great job, and it’s okay to have to ask twice for what you want. They are dealing with a lot of people and some requests fall through the cracks.

By: Berel B

Berel B — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:07:19 +0000

OK. Here we go. Entitled people. Most of us love the place. There is a tremendous amount of specialists available at odd. Many enjoy these resources. It was likely a error. Relax. People feel companies owe them everything because they open up here. I never heard anyone need to ask permission to open in any other community. People are super entitled. Zero appreciation. We expect everyone to do everything for us. It’s amazing how the oda does take feedback. They hire from within the community as much as possible. Additionally, they do have female staff. Wife never had a issues. Only praise. I do think they need to expand their mental health division. We have too many narcissistic people here. They should be getting help. Ty

By: Joe Deerhead

Joe Deerhead — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 22:16:54 +0000

In reply to A chossid. They aren't a 'private business' they are what's called an FHQC and by definition should be providing community care in a way that's helpful to the community etc.

By: I am Orthodox. ODA is in a highly Orthodox area. ODA is owned by Orthodox people .

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 20:51:07 +0000

So, why should I–the patient, there b/c I am already vulnerable w/illness or an injury–have to now become the dean of a BT yeshiva and instruct the medical staff as to how to behave differently with frum patients?!

By: CH Resident

CH Resident — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 18:12:38 +0000

BH Sadly enough, the reality appears to be that standards are really irrelevant to their administration ; the reason for upholding them in other communities is simple societal pressure. If so, the only solution is for our community to SHOW that we care and that will hopefully influence them. Concerning “just going somewhere else”, the author of this article touched upon that by stating that, their has been an almost total monopoly on health care in CH. We simply have very few (at least not enough) other options.

By: thank you

thank you — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:57:18 +0000

So happy someone is bringing this up, G-d willing it will bring change. While the Rebbe videos and ample selection of seforim in the waiting room is much appreciated. The dress and behaviour of the staff is also not on par with frum standards. I know a frum woman who was seen by a frum doctor who also lacked the sensitivity one would expect. They do need more women providers for adult patients.

By: Inaccurate

Inaccurate — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:51:19 +0000

In reply to A chossid.

“we felt stepped on, abused, and disrespected.”
They never accused the manager of abusing them. They wrote what they felt. You can’t argue with their feelings.

By: Okay

Okay — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:22:27 +0000

If they have an impression of ch as if we dont care, then they are mistakan

Crown hights must speak up!
We want adherence to halacha!

By: Simple solution

Simple solution — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:17:46 +0000

Book appointments in ODA in other communities..
When they realize that no one in crown heights is using the location in crown heights… But going to Williamsburg or BoroPark. They will wake up.

By: Thank you for this article

Thank you for this article — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:12:10 +0000

As a CH yungerman, I too experience uncomfortable situations in ODA, when female nurses (frum or not) enter the room and close the door behind them. Each time I have to specialy request that the door stays open. In a frum community such policy should be in place, in line with hilchos yichud.

By: Go to the Birthing center

Go to the Birthing center — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:42:30 +0000

Down the block from ODA, a new birthing center has recently opened. They provide full women’s care, not only prenatal care.
I called ODA CH to make an appointment and was told to call back because the only female physician has a special booker and very limited availability.
I called the birthing center right away and was seen by a female medical assistant and female doctor who spent time with me and explained all my options. Support this new gem in our community for female specific care!! Vote with your feet!

By: Dr Middos

Dr Middos — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:29:57 +0000

I don’t understand why it is problematic to have frum boys working at a doctor’s office. They may be the next generation of frum doctors, and if they don’t have a place to gain experience they won’t be able to succeed.
That being said, there should be a policy that if a female patient is coming in for a sensitive medical problem, a female medical assistant should triage them.

When I worked at ODA we never closed the door lechatchilah if there was a question of Yichud, but oftentimes the patient would request to do so (specifically when it was a sensitive issue) and we obliged; this bochur may have made a mistake.

By: Chaim

Chaim — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:09:49 +0000

Point well made
Personally every time I go to the oda and have a female aid taking my vitals I ask her to leave the door open and they don’t have a problem with it and I think in general it’s also the patient’s responsibility to ask for the door to remain open when having a appointment with a opposite gender medical professional and usually they don’t mind

Perhaps The community should arrange a petition to the ODA and get as many signatures as possible on it to change these issues, maybe that will influence them

Lastly as the author wrote, it is a business and everyone using them is keeping them in business so if enough people care enough and stop using them because of these issues they will have to change
(this is not a excuse for the oda, but they see the standard of many patients that are not so particular on tznius -maybe as much as the other communities- so they don’t feel pressured to have policies that are on a halachically appropriate tznius level)

By: Moshe

Moshe — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 15:38:55 +0000

In reply to Obviously. Are you sure that's the reason?