Monroe, NY – In an op-ed published in today’s Times Herald Record the superintendent of the Kiryas Joel school district takes on the topic of “annexation anti-Semitism.”
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Superintendent Joel Petlin was one of dozens of people who spoke at the public hearing regarding the Kiryas Joel annexation which took place on June 10th. Petlin noted that the proposed annexation, which could dramatically increase the size of Kiryas Joel is a multi-faceted issue but that in recent days, much of the focus has been on whether or not anti-Semitic sentiments are playing a role in the annexation debate.
As a participant at all of the public comment sessions held on the expansion plan, Petlin said that most of the anti-annexation concerns have been raised respectfully, although a small but vocal number of participants could be heard expressing anti-Semitic views at previous meetings. The June 10th meeting, however, was marked by definite displays of anti-Semitism, directed not at the Orthodox Jewish community as a whole, but rather at Chasidim, according to Petlin, who described the phenomenon as “annexation anti-Semitism.”
“I don’t know the hearts and minds of the nearly 100 people who spoke at the June 10th hearing,” wrote Petlin. “I can only judge them by their verbal comments and several of them crossed a line. For example, an attack on the reproductive patterns of a community – based on a tenet of its faith – has no place in this debate.”
Those same sentiments have also surfaced online, with Petlin quoting comments that were posted in response to a Times Herald Record story on anti-Semitism.
“Commenters were very comfortable posting their belief that ‘welfare infested pockets should have mandatory drug testing’ and the ‘breeders’ must stop their ‘ridiculous behavior,’” wrote Petlin. “Both attacks, on the poverty and the high birth rate of the Kiryas Joel community, are classic examples of the dehumanizing and demonizing language of anti-Semitism.”
Petlin noted that the anti-Chasidic sentiment has spread from Kiryas Joel to Bloomingburg and Rockland County, where the continued development of Chasidic housing has been met with vociferous opposition, most often by less religiously affiliated members of the Jewish faith.
“Though environmental challenges in other areas of the region are ignored by these groups, they have curiously focused on the growing Hasidic population in the Hudson Valley.”
Attacks against any one group, be they racial or religious, should not be tolerated, according to Petlin.
“While I deeply respect the right of all communities to freely express themselves, we must strongly denounce characterizations that reflect bigotry or irresponsibly veer into ‘hate speech,’” observed Petlin. “We wouldn’t tolerate such attacks on people of color and we shouldn’t accept those remarks when directed at the Hasidic population either. In short, not every annexation opponent is an anti-Semite; however every anti-Semite is an annexation opponent. At least let’s be honest about that.”
“While I deeply respect the right of all communities to freely express themselves, we must strongly denounce characterizations that reflect bigotry or irresponsibly veer into ‘hate speech,’” observed Petlin. ” We should also refrain from behavior that inspire bigotry and hate speech by not behaving rudely, etc.
KJ plays the victim card, What else is news
The racial/ethnic slurs used by a few are indeed unfortunate and do not represent the general population of this area. However, it is very likely that similar terms would be used by these individuals to describe other groups, such as inner city residents or minorities that they perceive as “scamming the system” and excessively using public resources and benefits. It should also be noted that twitter postings of the Satmar Headquarters demonstrate slurs, referring, for instance, to the defeat of the East Ramapo monitor as a “huge win against haters of Orthodox Jews.” Nothing could have been further from the truth, as anyone who follows this knows. I resent global slurs and inappropriate characterizations regardless of who makes them and which group they slander.
Wow slow down what faith says to have lots of children if that means becoming dependent on others? This discussion is an important one. And frankly I don’t see it as anti semetic. As far as I know there is no mitzva and in fact maybe an avira to have lots of kids that you can’t raise without due hardships. The issue of welfare and large familes go in hand in hand and should be addressed.
Whats more is that form a secular point of view its even worse. Why should my tax dollars go towards your religious belief to have lots of kids. Its just not fair. Just like I would argue that single moms who have lots of kids by playing around irresonsibly should not get welfare so too Chasidim. And I’ll repeat again its not a religous thing to have kids without self sufficincy.