New York – Met Council CEO Says NY Times Kiryas Joel Article Quote Taken Out of Context

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    New York – On April 20 The NY Times published a news article highlighting the Village of Kiryas Joel, The Times printed a quote from William E. Rapfogel, chief executive of the Metropolitan Jewish Council on Poverty, as saying, “Sure, there are probably people taking advantage and people in the underground economy getting benefits they’re not entitled to, but there are also a lot of poor people.”

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    Mr Rapfogel in a letter sent to the editors of The NY Times, says his quote was taken out of context, see below:


    To the editor,

    In the article “A Village With the Numbers, Not the Image, of the Poorest Place” (New York Times; April 21, 2011), my quote about the “underground economy” was taken out of context from a longer explanation.

    The incredibly close family structure and communal support system that exists in places like Kiryas Joel, Williamsburg, and Borough Park help to ensure that families remain intact by assisting parents with baby sitting, school tuition, and camp scholarships. Lending institutions not only provide interest-free financial loans, but also loaners of cribs, strollers, clothing, wedding dresses and even vacuum cleaners. We are talking about a luxury-free society; no fancy cars, jewelry or clothing, no television, and an aversion from most trends and popular culture.

    As the article points out, Kiryas Joel is an extremely poor community and the concept of “poor Jews” is an oxymoron to many people. The majority of those receiving benefits and entitlements are legitimately getting what they are qualified for. However some people, like in other communities, take advantage of the system. The quote included in the New York Times article neglected to include my feelings on those that desperately need and receive these valuable services, and may have given the impression that I was implying abuse of the system is more widespread than it actually is.

    William E. Rapfogel
    Chief Executive Officer
    Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
    (www.metcouncil.org)


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    24 Comments
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    Satmar
    Satmar
    12 years ago

    the NY times article is anti semitic or anti satmar ?

    bennyt
    bennyt
    12 years ago

    Mr. Rapfogel must be pretty naive to think that the anti-semitic and anti-Israel New York Times could ever write any article about Jews without injecting some hint of its bias.

    12 years ago

    Of course his comment would be taken out of context. That is what newspapers (and media in general as well as bloggers) do. And the NYT is probably the outlet that perfected this if not out and out invented it.

    richman
    richman
    12 years ago

    Mr. Rapfogel knows nothing about kiryas joel, he is only involved in downstate (city) agencies, he should’ve never said any statements on a Village that he never helped with their poor

    MayerAlter
    MayerAlter
    12 years ago

    There is a world of difference between “I never said that” and “out of context”. He does not deny that he said “Sure, there are probably people taking advantage and people in the underground economy getting benefits they’re not entitled to, but there are also a lot of poor people.” He didn’t deny what he said because all three statements are true, and that is something all we readers of VIN know.

    villyamsburger
    villyamsburger
    12 years ago

    #3 I highly doubt u are a yid. What means to what they can afford?!
    U should not own a house because if u need a mortgage who says its something you’ll be able to afford? Same goes to your whole life. In fact I believe ur parents should have considered you as something they can afford. You are a bad mouth that klal yisroel can’t afford!!!
    Paroh hated us for being to many hitler ym”s hates our population and now u come along? How despicable!!!
    Mr. Rapfogels letter seems very much in line with me. There are people taking advantage of the system but most wouldve not survived without it. And yes the government has to provide for the poor they have to provide for people who are trying hard even without a education. Not every eduvcated person is rich and not every rich person went thru college so stop that non sense. I was never in college neither did my parents or any family members for the most part we all earn better then any nurse or medical intern.

    12 years ago

    The whole article is wrong.
    Mr. Rapfogel & the reporter of the NY Times don’t know the life of the Majority in K.J.
    I have B”H 8 married children bli ayin hara & 7 of them live in K.J. 5 of them Don’t have any food stamps nor section 8. They work hard for a living. The husbands are travel daily atliest 3 hours to & from work. Its a very hard situation when some of my kids Don’t have enogh to pay the tuition for their kids.
    I see many many of the yungeleit running at 6:15 AM to the bus to N.Y.C. to work & they all live a very tight life styly without Food Stamps etc.

    mytake
    mytake
    12 years ago

    Most ironic. What many commenters (that have no clue about KJ/Satmar) fail to realize is that the Satmar Rebbe z”l was adamant about his chassidim working, (and learning on the side) so as to be self-sufficient.

    Those that keep on perpetuating the myth that the Satmar community are “leeches” what with food stamps and all – are simply ignorant. Unfortunately, this day and age (and backwards too, no doubt) many families have difficulties in making ends meet and legitimately qualify for medicaid/food stamps.