Evening the playing field

One of the many routine e-mail notices I receive is The Times of Israel Daily Edition, the self-described “one-stop news site covering Israel, the region and the Jewish people worldwide.” Yesterday, I noticed the following article with some interest:

By law, Israelis over 80 can now skip to front of lines: 

Legislation allows elderly to ask to be served first at public offices, stores

  

Israelis aged 80 or older will no longer have to stand in line for service at stores, pharmacies, banks, post offices and other public services, thanks to a legislative change approved by the Knesset on Tuesday.

The only exceptions will be made for disabled individuals, who will get priority over the elderly.

The Knesset passed the bill into law in its second and third readings in the plenary on Tuesday, with 37 lawmakers voting in favor and none opposed.

Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel (Likud) said it was unfortunate that the Knesset had to legislate the measure, which she said should simply be an obvious gesture for all Israelis.

“From today, …everyone will make way for them [the elderly],” she said.

The law stipulates that those over 80 may jump to the front of the line upon their request.

MK [Member of Knesset] Itzik Shmuli (Zionist Union), who introduced the bill, said he was waiting for the day when giving way for an elderly person became the norm in society and legislation was no longer needed.

My fellow Americans, you may need to pause before you begin to gloat that we have no need for such a law in the United States. On the relatively unusual occasions when I am out in public on my own, I am frequently surprised by the kind helpfulness of strangers as I try to maneuver my way around. Having said that, offers of assistance are certainly far from universal even when the need is obvious. So while I am not sure it is the most compelling or appropriate use of time for our busy legislators to worry about this accommodation of disabled or older adults, it should give all able-bodied younger folks pause.

On a somewhat related note on social matters, I completed a brief survey this morning about the New York Times crossword puzzle that, in addition to age, requested the following demographic information:

Which of the following best describes you? (Select ONE)

Male

Female

Not listed here / Other

Prefer not to answer

Is this in the category of “too much information”? What do they plan to learn from this information that would change the puzzles?

Have a great day!

Love,

Rebecca