Rachel "Ruchie" Freier (born April 2, 1965)[1] is a New York Supreme Court justice.[2]
Rachel Freier | |
---|---|
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New York Supreme Court Judge | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Justice of New York City Criminal Court | |
In office December 22, 2016 – January 3, 2023 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | April 2, 1965
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | David Freier |
Children | 6 |
Education | Bais Yaakov, Touro College Brooklyn Law School |
Known for | First Hasidic woman judge |
In 2016, she campaigned and was elected as a Civil Court judge for the Kings County 5th judicial district in New York State, thereby becoming the first Hasidic Jewish woman to be elected as a civil court judge in New York State,[3][4][5] and the first Hasidic woman[6] to hold public office[7] in United States history.[8] Although she ran for the Civil Court, after her election, she was assigned to serve on the Criminal Court in the Kings County 5th judicial district.[9]
In January 2023 she was appointed to fill a vacancy on the New York Supreme Court, and in November 2023 she was elected to the position in her own right. She previously worked as a real estate attorney and community activist, and served as a volunteer court lawyer in the New York City Family Court.[10]
Early life and education
editFreier was born in Borough Park, Brooklyn,[11][9] the eldest of five children in a Hasidic Jewish family.[12] While attending the Bais Yaakov high school in Borough Park, she took a course in legal stenography,[13] and she graduated from high school in 1982.[14] At age 19 she married David Freier, with whom she has three sons and three daughters.[12]
Freier worked first as a legal secretary, and, in 1994, as a paralegal at law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher,[12] in order to support her husband in kollel.[15] Her husband went on to complete an accounting degree at Touro College,[12] and in 1996,[16] she also decided to pursue a college education. She began studying law at age 30 after realizing she was working for lawyers younger than her.[17]
She enrolled at Lander College, part of the Touro College and University System,[18] where she became director of the women's pre-law society, and graduated six years later with a bachelor of science degree in political science.[12][13][15]
She then entered Brooklyn Law School,[19][20] completing her degree in four years, graduating in June 2005.[12][15]
Career
editFreier passed the New York State Bar exam in 2006.[9] She is also licensed to practice law in New Jersey and the District of Columbia.[13]
Freier and her husband shared an office in Borough Park, where she practiced commercial and residential estate law, and he did commercial financing.[5][15]
Freier also had a law office in Monroe, New York, where she did business with Hasidic residents of nearby Kiryas Joel.[21] She advocated for the Satmar[22] Hasidic Community by speaking to residents of Orange, Sullivan, and Rockland counties, to help correct misconceptions people might have about Hasidic life in Kiryas Joel,[23] and to better understand the Hasidic neighbors in their midst.[24]
Freier began her political career in 2001 as an intern in the Manhattan office of then-U.S. Senator from New York Hillary Clinton.[25] She also interned for other elected officials.[26]
Civil court judge
editIn April 2016, Freier announced her candidacy for civil court judge, running for the spot on the bench vacated by Judge Noach Dear.[27][28]
In the September 2016 Democratic primary election for Civil Court Judge of the Kings County 5th judicial district, Freier garnered 4,730 votes (40.9 percent), followed by Jill Epstein with 3,993 votes (34.5 percent), and Morton Avigdor with 2,835 votes (24.5 percent).[29] She entered the November general election, with Avigdor as a Conservative Party challenger, and received 68,088 votes (74.4 percent), to his 23,393 votes (25.6 percent).[30]
Freier was endorsed in the three-way race during the elections by The Jewish Press[31] and the New York Daily News.[32]
On December 22, 2016, she was sworn-in at Brooklyn Borough Hall.[33] She delivered a speech that included Hebrew and Yiddish phrases and concepts which she translated into English.[34] Her inauguration ceremony was carried live on WABC-TV[8] and News 12.[35]
On hand for her swearing-in was Hasidic singer Lipa Schmeltzer, who sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" with bits of Yiddish[36] and "God Bless America" in full Yiddish version.[37][38]
Subsequent to her swearing-in, Freier was assigned to serve on the New York City Criminal Court.[9]
In December 2017, Megyn Kelly welcomed Freier to the Today Show[39] as the woman The New York Times has called “the Hasidic superwoman of night court”; she was featured in the series “She’s Got Faith,” marking her one-year anniversary on the bench.[40]
In July 2022, Freier announced her candidacy for Supreme Court Judge, running for one of the 10 vacancies on Brooklyn's Supreme Court.[41][42]
In January 2023, Freier was appointed as acting New York Supreme Court justice by her supervisors to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court, Religious leaders say she is the first Hasidic woman to hold this role.[43][44][45]
In August 2023, Freier was nominated as a Supreme Court Justice candidate for a 14-year term, the vote was conducted by Brooklyn District Leaders at the Judicial Convention.[46][47] On November 7, 2023, she was elected to the court in her own right in the general election.[48]
On November 15, 2023, Freier was sworn-in by New York Attorney General Letitia James as Supreme Court Justice of NY.[49][50] Her inauguration ceremony was held at Brooklyn Law School,[51] and it was carried live on TV News 12.[52]
Election history | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Location | Date | Party | Votes | Results |
Brooklyn Civil Court District 5 |
Sept 2016 |
Democratic | 4,730 3,993 2,835 |
√ Rachel Freier 40.9% Jill Epstein 34.5% Morton Avigdor 24.5% |
Brooklyn Civil Court District 5 |
Dec 2016 |
General | 68,088 23,393 |
√ Rachel Freier (D) 74.4% Morton Avigdor (R) 25.6%
|
New York Supreme Court District 2 |
Nov 7 2023 |
General | 138,498 135,789 134,410 131,223 128,437 105,852 33,377 |
√ Sharon Clarke (D) 17.1% √ Rachel Freier (D) 16.8% √ Joanne Quinones (D) 16.6% √ Saul Stein (D) 16.3% √ Heela Capell (D) 15.9% √ Caroline Piela Cohen (D) 13.1% Timothy Peterson (R) 4.1% |
Volunteer activities
editIn 2005, Freier established Chasdei Devorah, Inc.,[53] a non-profit charity organization to help poor Jewish families, in memory of a young friend.[54]
In 2008,[15] Freier was one of the founders of B'Derech, a GED program for Haredi youth at-risk.[16][55] The organization also helps troubled teens with therapy and hypnosis.[56]
The program launched in partnership with the New York branch of Bramson ORT College adding a Men's Division[57] and Women’s Division.[58]
In 2010, Freier advocated to save Breslov Yeshiva in Williamsburg, in spite of opposition from some who harassed the students and maligned the Rabbi, Yoel Roth.[59] Freier received threats for defending the yeshiva, but she won the court case.[60]
In 2011, she founded Ezras Nashim, an all-female Orthodox Jewish volunteer EMT ambulance service established with the goal of preserving women's modesty in emergency medical situations, especially childbirth.[61]
Affiliations
editFreier is a licensed EMT, and has completed advanced training to qualify as a New York State paramedic.[16][55][62] She has served on Borough Park's Community Board 12, and performed pro bono legal services for the New York City Family Court.[55]
Freier appeared in a documentary about Ezras Nashim, entitled 93Queen, which was directed by filmmaker Paula Eiselt.[63] The film premiered on May 1, 2018, at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.[64][65] The film aired on PBS's POV, marking its television debut, on September 17, 2018.[66]
Honors and awards
editIn September 2017, Freier was honored at the New York City Hall in the Council Chambers with a "Proclamation Award" presented by the Speaker & Council-members of the Jewish Caucus for her achievement of becoming the First Hasidic Woman elected to Public Office in New York City.[67][68]
In 2017, Freier was chosen by The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli newspaper, as #40 of the "50 Most Influential Jews" in the world.[69][70] In 2016, she was named one of the "15 Most Influential Jews" in the world by Makor Rishon, another Israeli newspaper.[71][72]
Also in 2016, Freier's judgeship was selected by Kings County Politics as one of the "Top 10 Stories" among political events in New York City that year.[73] She was also listed by City & State magazine as one of the "Winners" among politicians of New York State that year,[74] and was a recipient of Jew in the City's "Orthodox Jewish All Stars Award".[75][76][77]
In September 2018, Freier was named by the Algemeiner Journal among the "J100" list of "top 100 people" positively influencing Jewish life.[78] In December 2018, Freier was named in The "Forward 50"[79] list of American Jews who have a profound impact on the American Jewish community.[80] In October 2018, Freier was inducted into the Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame;[81] she received an award recognized among the leading Brooklynites.[82]
In May 2019, Freier was awarded by Lufthansa Airlines for saving the life of a passenger who had a medical emergency onboard, when she was able to provide medical care in mid-flight.[83][84]
In January 2020, Freier along with a delegation of Ezras Nashim members were recognized in front of the entire New York State Assembly in the Assembly Chambers of the New York State Capitol Building in Albany, a resolution was passed recognizing the EMT members for their volunteer efforts of preserving women’s dignity during emergencies,[85] Freier and the delegation had afterwards a private meeting with New York Governor Kathy Hochul in the Capitol Building.[86]
Personal life
editShe married David Freier, a Bobover Hasid, with whom she has three sons and three daughters.[9] They reside in the Borough Park Hasidic community of Brooklyn.[9] Freier credits support from family and her husband for success.[87] Freier spends her personal time inspiring Jewish woman in Judaism by speaking at Jewish schools,[88] Jewish organizations i.e. OU Kosher Headquarters[89] and Jewish Federations.[90] Freier also speaks at Chabad Centers[91] all over the world, inspiring Jewish woman bringing them closer to Judaism known as the "Kiruv Movement".[92]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Rachel Freier twitter".
- ^ "Judges of the Trial Court". nycourts.gov. August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ^ "First Hasidic Woman Elected As Brooklyn Civil Court Judge". CBS 2 News. September 14, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ "In First, Hasidic Woman Elected to Serve as Civil Court Judge in NY State". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. September 15, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Dolsten, Josefin (September 15, 2016). "Trailblazing Hasidic Woman Elected as Brooklyn Judge". The Forward. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ Colletti, Roseanne (January 3, 2017). "Brooklyn Attorney Becomes 1st Female Hasidic Judge in New York". WNBC. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- ^ Carrega, Christina (December 26, 2016). "Brooklyn judge becomes first Hasidic Jewish woman in U.S. public office". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ a b Ross, A.J. (December 22, 2016). "NYC Activist Becomes 1st Female Hasidic Judge in US History". WABC-TV. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Otterman, Sharon (November 17, 2017). "Judge Ruchie the Hasidic Superwoman of Night Court". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- ^ "Its the American Dream". AP. January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
- ^ "First Hasidic Woman Elected To Public Office To Be Sworn In As Brooklyn Judge". 1010 WINS. December 22, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f McKenna, Chris (May 6, 2007). "Living in Two Worlds: Rachel Freier, Mother, Wife and Lawyer, Is Also Hasidic Jew". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ a b c Arbesfeld, Atara (July 14, 2016). "'Go For Your Dreams And Don't Compromise Your Religious Standards': Rachel Freier Is Not Your Typical Civil Court Candidate". The Jewish Press. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ "An Interview With The First Hasidic Woman Elected To Public Office In The U.S." Gothamist. January 7, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Brawarsky, Sandee (June 18, 2012). "'We Are Reclaiming Our Job'". The Jewish Week. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ a b c "A Woman Of Many Hats: An Interview With Rachel "Ruchie" Freier, The First Female Chassidic Civil Court Judge". Bensonhurst Bean. September 29, 2016. Archived from the original on November 1, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ Kempinski, Yoni (January 8, 2017). "Arutz Sheva interviews first female hasidic judge". Arutz Sheva.
- ^ "Lander College of Arts & Sciences's Rachel Freier went from being a legal secretary to an attorney and director of an all-female EMT corps". Touro College. August 21, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ "Brooklyn Law School Honors Rachel Freier '05 as First Hasidic Woman Judge". Brooklyn Law School. March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Rachel Freier '05 Takes Office as Nation's First Hasidic Woman as Civil Court Judge". Brooklyn Law School. January 3, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ McKenna, Chris (July 16, 2010). "My View: Hasidim must overcome adversity from within". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- ^ Sullivan, John (February 15, 2008). "chief rabbi of Satmar Hasidim decreed new laws to cut down cost of weddings among Hasidic Jews". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- ^ Sullivan, John (July 27, 2008). "Hasidic women address story, Kiryas Joel". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
- ^ Sullivan, John (February 12, 2008). "Bridging a cultural divide". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- ^ "Rachel "Ruchie" Freier — Freier for Civil Court". Freierforcivilcourt.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ Heller, Andy (September 13, 2016). "Ruchie interned for elected officials, including NYS Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton". Matzav.com. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "Chasidic Trailblazer Ruchie Freier Faces Gender Test In Judgeship Run". Kings County Politics. May 27, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Eller, Sandy (April 12, 2016). "Female Chasidic Lawyer Announces Plans To Run For Open Brooklyn Civil Court Judge Position". Vosizneias. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ^ "New York Primary Results". WNYC. September 29, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ "New York Results". New York Times. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ Editorial, Board (August 10, 2016). "Rachel Freier For Civil Court Judge In Brooklyn". The Jewish Press. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ Editorial, Board (September 12, 2016). "The choice in this three-way race is Rachel Freier". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ Abruzzese, Rob (December 27, 2016). "Brooklyn swears in nation's first female Hasidic judge". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ^ Chi'en, Arthue (December 23, 2016). "NY Civil Court Judge is 1st Hasidic Woman on Bench". Fox 5 News. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ Batiste, Lenneia (December 23, 2016). "First Hasidic Woman Inaugurated as Judge". News 12. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ Negler-Cohen, Liran (December 22, 2016). "First Haredi female judge elected in NYC". Ynetnews. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ Ghert-Zand, Renee (December 22, 2016). "First Hasidic woman judge sworn in with Yiddish song". The Times of Israel. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ Eller, Sandy (December 22, 2016). "Wearing Chasidic Heritage Proudly, Ruchie Freier Inducted As Civil Court Judge". Vosizneias. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ Kelly, Megyn (December 20, 2017). "Megyn Kelly welcomes the 'Hasidic superwoman of night court'". Today Show.
- ^ Dow, Jay (January 3, 2018). "Hasidic grandmother breaks barriers on Brooklyn judicial bench and serves as role model". PIX11.
- ^ Greenwald, Ziona (July 20, 2022). "The People's Judge: Ruchie Freier's Crusade To Become Boro Park's Voice On Brooklyn Supreme Court". The Jewish Press. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ Eller, Sandy (July 25, 2022). "Hoping to Better Represent Chasidic Community, Freier Urges Voters to Support Her Supreme Court Bid". Vosizneias. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ "Rachel Freier believed to be first Hasidic woman to be New York State Supreme Court judge". CBS News. February 6, 2023.
- ^ "Rachel Freier believed to be first Hasidic woman to be New York State Supreme Court judge". News 12. February 13, 2023.
- ^ "Making History Again, Freier Ascends To State Supreme Court Bench". Vosizneias. February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Another Milestone for Freier, who Becomes First Hasidic Woman Nominated to Supreme Court Bench". Vosizneias. August 10, 2023.
- ^ Levi-Julian, Hana (August 19, 2023). "Acting Justice Rachel Freir Secures Democrat Nod for Supreme Court". The Jewish Press. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ "NY Supreme Court Results 2023". CBS News. November 8, 2023.
- ^ "Rachel Freier sworn in as NY's first Hasidic female supreme court judge". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Meyer, Chaim Yehuda (November 17, 2023). "Judge Ruchie Freier Sworn into New York State Supreme Court as First Chassidic Female Judge". The Jewish Press. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Hon. Rachel Freier '05 Celebrates Supreme Achievement at Brooklyn Law Swearing-In Ceremony". Brooklyn Law School. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Buckley, Mary-Lyn (November 15, 2023). "Rachel Freier makes history as first Hasidic female judge to serve on NY Supreme Court". News 12. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "Chasdei Devorah Inc".
- ^ "Americas first Hasidic woman judge". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. October 27, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
- ^ a b c Harari, Renee (October 13, 2016). "Rebel With A Cause: Chasidic Mom Shatters Stereotypes". The Jewish Week. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ Eller (September 13, 2009). "B'Derech Organization That Helps Troubled Teens Tries Method Of Hypnosis". Vosizneias. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
- ^ Brenner, Yermi (August 20, 2013). "Brooklyn GED Program Seeks To Help Put Haredi Men On the Path to Employment". The Forward. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ Eller, Sandy (December 6, 2011). "B'Derech GED Program Flourishing and Adding Women's Division". Vosizneias. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ "Attorney Mrs. Ruchie Freier visits Rabbi Yoeli Roth's Yeshivah". theantitzemach. August 20, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- ^ Eller, Sandy (January 4, 2012). "On Feminism and Fanaticism: A Female Charedi Attorney's Perspective". Vosizneias. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
- ^ "Frum Female Hatzolah Volunteer In Israel Decries Ban Against Ezras Nashim". Vos Iz Neias. November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- ^ "EMTs and Paramedics". New York Health Careers. June 4, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ Eiselt, Paula (May 25, 2016). "Paula Eiselt on Birthing Her Hasidic EMS Documentary 93QUEEN at the IFP Documentary Lab". Filmmaker Magazine.
- ^ Selb, Charlotte (March 23, 2018). "93QUEEN". Hot Docs.
- ^ Fraiman, Michael (April 30, 2018). "Documentary about female Hasidic trailblazers gets world premiere in Canada". Canadian Jewish News.
- ^ Berger, Laura (March 23, 2018). "Hasidic Women Form NYC's First All-Female Volunteer Ambulance Corps in "93Queen" Trailer". women and hollywood.
- ^ "Civil Court Judge Rachel honored in the City Council Chambers". Kings County Politics. September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "Media Advisory NYC Council to Honor Judge Freier". Constant Contact. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ "# 40 Rachel Freier and Nechama Spiegel - Personifying shifts in the haredi world". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
- ^ "50 Most Influential Jews in the world Year 2017". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ "15 Most Influential Jews in the world". NRG. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- ^ "J Factor: 15 Most Influential Jews in the world". NRG. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kings County Politics Top 10 Stories Of 2016". Kings County Politics. December 30, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- ^ "WINNERS & LOSERS 12/30/16". City & State. December 30, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- ^ "Announcing Jew in the City's 5th Annual Orthodox Jewish All Stars". Jew in the City. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Orthodox Jewish All Star, Ruchie Freier, First Hasidic Female Judge". Jew in the City. Archived from the original on November 12, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ^ "Jew In The City Proves That You Can Have Your Cake And Eat It Too, As Long As It's Kosher". The Times of Israel. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
- ^ "the Algemeiner Jewish 100". Algemeiner Journal. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Forward 50 2018". The Forward. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "Judge Freier, Ambulance Group Founder And Community Leader For Hasidic Women". The Forward. December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame, 2018". Brooklyn Jewish Org. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame celebrates achievements". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "Judge Ruchie Freier Saves A Passenger Aboard Lufthansa Flight". Matzav. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ "Chasidic Judge Saves Passenger's Life Mid-Flight". COLlive. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
- ^ "Ezras Nashim Recognized in the Capitol of Albany". Vosizneias. January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- ^ "Judge Rachel Freier meets with NY Governor Kathy Hochul". Jewishinsider. August 11, 2021.
- ^ "Chasidic woman judge keeps her faith, Credits support from family and husband for success". New Jersey Jewish News. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ "Judge Ruchie Freier inspires girls at HANC". The Jewish Star. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ "Judge Ruchie Freier from OU Headquarters". OU Kosher Headquarters. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ Alyssa Schmitt, "Women's Philanthropy Spring Brunch Welcomes First Female Chasidic Judge in US", June 7, 2019, Jewish Federations.
- ^ Bontje, Katie (February 14, 2018). "The country's first Hasidic woman judge spoke at Penn's Chabad House on Wednesday". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ "Chasidic Judge Inspires at Chabad Event". COLlive. January 19, 2023.
External links
edit- "Checkin' in with... New York's first female Hasidic civil court judge" Archived November 7, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Brooklyn Daily, September 30, 2016
- "A Mother Is Who I Am" by Rachel Freier The Forward, March 13, 2013
- "Rachel Freier is the judge for the New York City Civil Court in New York" Ballotpedia, November 8, 2016
- "Emergency Medical Care for Women by Certified Volunteer Female EMTs" Archived February 2, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Ezras Nashim, January 22, 2017
- "Review: ‘93Queen’ offers an insider’s view of women’s lives in a self-contained Hasidic community", LA Times, August 14, 2018
- "Review: ‘93Queen’ Follows Female Jewish EMS Workers in Brooklyn", NY Times, July 24, 2018