An Orthodox Jewish judge in New York City was recently tapped to join the state supreme court, becoming the court’s first-ever female Hasidic justice.
Last December, New York City Criminal Court judge Rachel “Ruchie” Freier was tapped to fill a vacancy on the New York State Supreme Court.
The 57-year-old judge became an acting New York State Supreme Court justice last month, and is expected to run in a statewide election this summer to retain her place on the court.
A Borough Park native and Bais Ya’akov alum, Freier told CBS News this week that her late start in college and her subsequent legal career drew “naysayers,” but added that their doubts never dampened her ambitions.
"My story is replete with naysayers every step of the way, whether it was going to college, then law school, opening up a law practice, running for the judgeship," Freier said. "Why shouldn't I try? That God created me as a woman in a Hasidic community with these ambitions and with these dreams, it means that I could make it happen."
"All the values that I learned growing up about judging everybody, giving someone benefit of the doubt, being patient with people, kindness, compassion, all those values is what I bring with me to the court.”
"The first biggest secret is I live around the corner from my mother, so she was always there to help me. Second thing is my mother always taught us that time is like money. It's not how much you have, it's how you spend it.”
In 2016, Freier was first elected as a judge, winning an election for the New York City Criminal Court.
Freier is believed to be the first female haredi judge to serve in the US.
Before becoming a judge, Freier established the charitable organization "Ezrat Nashim," which helps women only, providing CPR, medical care, and aiding women during and immediately after childbirth.