Rockland County, NY – For the second year in a row, a black-faced Haman hung in effigy from a Spring Valley window in honor of Purim has sparked outrage for its blatant lack of sensitivity.
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The doll that has since be removed, sported dreadlocks dressed in blue jeans and a white hooded sweatshirt as first reported by News 12.
Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder said that the homeowner did not realize that the Purim display would be offensive to others, removing the doll as soon as they were made aware of the problem.
The homeowner, who asked not be identified out of fear of retribution, expressed remorse over the incident, which was never meant to offend anyone. They said their children have been hanging Haman in effigy on Purim for several years, although this year’s Haman was somewhat darker skinned than in previous years.
“The children didn’t realize that they were hurting somebody in the process because they didn’t realize what it represented,” the homeowner told VIN News. “As we heard there was a problem we stopped everything in the middle of the holiday and took it down.”
The homeowner said that they live on a culturally diverse block and enjoy positive interactions with their neighbors, including handing out candy on Halloween to the children who ring their doorbell when they come trick-or-treating.
“We apologized right away,” said the homeowner. “We have a very good relationship with our neighbors and we do apologize for hurting other people.”
Wieder issued a statement offering his apologies for the Purim display, noting that while it may be rooted in tradition, offensive displays are inexcusable. He noted that the incident highlighted the need for greater understanding and respect between the many cultural groups that call Spring Valley home in order to encourage dialogue and build trust.
“I call for more education and sensitivity and coexistence between our neighbors wherever education takes place,” Wieder told VIN News.
Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, director of Project Y.E.S. and a Monsey resident, said that the incident demonstrates a needed for greater cultural sensitivity.
“We ask our neighbors to be sensitive to our culture and our religious needs but we have to respect theirs as well,” said Rabbi Horowitz. “If you don’t teach our children what it is important to our neighbors, how are they supposed to know?”
Rabbi Horowitz issued a statement on Facebook condemning the Purim display and offering a personal apology to those who were offended by it. He encouraged rabbonim, community leaders and private citizens to publicly distance themselves from the incident as a way of showing friendship, respect and tolerance.
“I hope that this was just tasteless, but people should speak up because our neighbors don’t know that,” said Rabbi Horowitz.
Any hanging Haman should not be a white Caucasian, thats for sure. Closest thing would be to hang someone of middle eastern appearance.
What are we Arabs?
must be anti-Semitism right?
Unbelievable….. It’s amazing what 30 yrs can do, growing up as a kid I remember a hanging Hamon on every block
Now rabbis are criticizing it, someone please tell Rabbi Horowitz that who ever was offered by the hanging Hamon will be offended by anything we do
Meanwhile there was another FBI staging in Monsey. And we wonder why so many people contact the FBI about our dealings???? The residents were warned last year about these effigies. Guess the hasids are laughing all the way to the bank.
Just don’t do it. There are many other ways to have fun on Purim.
Such nonsense
Its time to put an end to racism in our community. It is unfortunately all too common to hear derogatory “shvartze” comments from people who claim to be responsible educators and community leaders.
Maybe the effigy should have lighter skin, no dreadlocks or beads, and wear a crown and king’s robes, so it’s obvious it’s Hamen?
Or maybe the Purim store could stock effigies that are clearly not racist?
There are many ways to have fun without causing offense or risking a riot (because that was brewing even if you you didn’t notice).
They don’t need sensitivity, they need some Sechel.
The homeowner used atrocious judgment, and showed a complete lack of sachel. He is lucky that his neighbors didn’t retaliate by engaging in criminal acts, against his home.
I’m sick of all this cultural sensitivity manure already. When will the descendants of Chum be sensitive about decendends of Shem and Yofes ?????
When that happens come back to us.
I agree to hang on Purim a dummy in effigy is very bad taste. Truly I despise it as it reminds me of the many blacks in this country that were wrongfully killed. However I am also offended when I see in front of a catholic church an effigy of a dead Jew crucified on a cross. Over the centuries many thousands of innocent Jews were killed that way for not accepting Christianity. It’s about time the catholic churches become sensitive to Jewish feelings.