Judge Rachel Freier is sworn into office Dec. 22 in New York. Photo: Stefano Giovannini/VIN news.

JNS.org – The first ultra-Orthodox female judge in US history was sworn in last week at a ceremony in New York.

Rachel Freier, a mother of six, was elected to the New York State Civil Court, after defeating two opponents in the September Democratic primaries for a the seat in Brooklyn’s 5th Judicial District. She won the election in a landslide victory and will start her 10-year term on January 3. Freier, 51, only started her career as an attorney 11 years ago.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Brooklyn Borough Hall and was attended by Freier’s husband, children, grandchildren and parents. Her uncle, former Judge David Schmidt, inducted her into the court.

In addition to practicing law, Freier is the founder of an all-female volunteer ambulance corps, Ezrat Nashim, where she serves as an emergency medical technician (EMT).