Disabled Jewish Vet Alleges Anti-Semitism At Iowa VA Hospital

[babylonsister]

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/5/4/10743/19514/

Disabled Jewish Vet Alleges Anti-Semitism At Iowa VA Hospital
By Bruce Wilson Fri May 04, 2007 at 10:07:43 AM EST


snip//

Here is the full, initial story that was originally posted on May 1, 2007, on the Daily Kos website, in which Akda describes his experiences at the Iowa City VA:

Since moving back to Iowa about two years ago I have been thrust into a struggle with the Iowa City Veterans Hospital & Clinics over religious discrimination and Christian proselytizing.

Over time it has become clear that each experience of discrimination is not isolated from the others; in fact the problem of religious discrimination is systemic to the Iowa City VA. I think a perfect metaphor for the problems at the Iowa City VA Hospital & Clinic (hereafter referred to simply as "Iowa City VA") is the orientation process. When a veteran moves to the area or in any way begins to access services at the Iowa City VA they are required to attend an orientation class - this class is held in the Christian Chapel, decorated with the Stations of the Cross and a Crucifix in front.

I am a disabled veteran who served my Country honorably in the US Navy. I am also an Orthodox Jew. When I moved back to Iowa and notified the Iowa City VA that I would be accessing their services, they directed me to attend the orientation class. When I refused to enter the chapel (which I found distasteful) the staff attempted to pressure me; however, I held my ground and in the end the staff told me that I would just miss out on the information provided in the class (and threw the hand-outs at me.) At that point I dutifully lodged a formal complaint with the patient advocate. This has been about two years ago now, but orientation classes are still only held in the Christian Chapel. Could it be that the Iowa City VA is really trying to establish their underlying Christian intent with every orientation class?

Over time I experienced volunteer Christian musicians singing and playing hymns and religious Christmas songs in the waiting room of the clinic. More than once I was forced to listen to the music while I sat in the clinic, waiting to see my doctor. I filed another complaint with the patient advocate, but again this did nothing to remedy the problem.

more...

[Lurking Dem]

1. I wouldn't call this antisemitism.

The proselytizing is clearly unconstitutional. The rest is insensitive but nothing I don't deal with daily being a Jew in the South.

There are clearly issues of separation of church and state but antisemitism? Where is the line between being bigoted because someone simply isn't Christian and being bigoted because someone is a Jew?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Ah, I understand the difference

Hadn't thought of it this way, but you are right, except maybe about the kosher food. This is, after all, a hospital, and used to preparing various diets. I mean, they could have given him vegetarian food, and he could have eaten it, unless he was also inquiring about the cookware being used, and I don't know if it got to that point or not. I've worked in kitchens in nursing homes, and know that the staff expects special needs/diets and can usually handle them with no problem, even if it means cooking things in a special pan.

I have a feeling the AG chaplain would have pounced upon not only a Jew, but an atheist, a pagan, a Hindu, or a Muslim as well.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. That's awful!

Don't tell me that a hospital kitchen can't provide for special diets! And sending a person to try and convert him while he's wired up to a heart monitor? And people talk about how they hate religious states where the mullahs are in control--sounds to me we are approaching a Christian version of the same thing.

[Lurking Dem]

5. I AM curious about the food.

I have a hard time imagining a doctor allowing a patient to simply not eat for the duration of their stay.

[rockymountaindem]

3. I don't see where he alleged anti-Semitism

I think it's more that he's annoyed about the proselytizing.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Maybe being denied kosher food?

Wouldn't a Hindu or Buddhist object if they weren't allowed a vegetarian diet? Or a Muslim if pork were served?

[Lurking Dem]

7. Depending on what he follows

they would need a Kosher kitchen to prepare a Kosher meal. They could bring food in from a Kosher deli or something unless his heart doctor told him, "You gotta stop eating that crap, it's gonna kill you."

Of course, where I live a Kosher deli isn't easy to come by. There's only one and it closes at 8.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. I'd think they could do something-

After all, he talked about his rabbi, who must have been nearby. Surely someone in the congregation could have fixed food for him to eat--the doctor would just tell them what things to avoid (like excessive fat). All veggies are ok for a kosher diet, for example, and so making him salads or cooked veggies would have been ok.

[Lurking Dem]

12. Agreed.

This whole story is just weird.

The best sandwich I ever had (I obviously don't keep Kosher!) was a bbq sausage sandwich in Texas after the planned c-section of my son.

Lactose intolerant, type 1 diabetic with lupus my pregnancy was no dairy, no salt, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no caffeine, no fruit before 1:00 pm (hormone response spiked my blood sugars), no potatoes.

The baby is a Sophomore in college and I still remember that sandwich!

My nurses had a cow when they saw me eating it but my doctor gave them a lecture and they left me alone after that.

[Monkeyman]

8. I saw this article on va watchdog

Part missing is he was denied info on his records. To me that's the bigger issue

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. Ouch

yes, that indeed is a bigger issue.

I'm wondering if he went to a doctor outside the VA for a second opinion about the pain meds. But if he was denied info on his records, maybe he wouldn't be able to get help from an outside doc.

[Monkeyman]

11. I will find that out from Larry he should know

[laylah]

13. My "fella" goes

regularly to the Iowa City VA and has since 2005. He has never had to attend an orientation:shrug:

Jenn