New York – The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) – a partnership of 250 Jewish men’s clubs that claims more than 25,000 members throughout North America – has joined with synagogues both in Israel and in the diaspora in “suggesting a boycott of scotch from distillers located in West Dunbartonshire Council in Scotland at Kiddush and [in] public and private” celebrations.
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The FJMC, which is affiliated with the Conservative movement, has called for Jews to avoid certain brands of spirits following a boycott of Israeli goods instituted by the local council of the whiskey-producing region.
Among the distilleries named in the boycott are Morrison Bowmore, Loch Lamond and Chivas Brothers.
Chivas Brothers produces the well-regarded Chivas, Glenlivet and Ballantine’s brands which are the preferred spirits in many so-called “Kiddush clubs,” which gather following services in some synagogues.
The boycott against Israel was initially introduced by the West Dunbartonshire Council in response to what councilmen described as “the disproportionate use of force used against Palestinians” during the IDF’s Gaza incursion in 2009.
The council resolved that it “recognizes the disproportionate force used by the IDF in Palestine and agrees to boycott all Israeli goods as a consequence. Officers should immediately cease the purchase of any goods we currently source, which were made or grown in Israel. Officers should also ensure we procure no new goods or produce from Israel until this boycott is formally lifted by WDC.”
Read more in Jerusalem Post
but i LOVE glenlivet! damn those scots!
Time to change scotches. Can we have a whole list? How is McCalister’s
Is there a comprehensive list of scotches etc. produced by this region to be boycotted?
Irish whiskey is better for you anyway; and the Irish don’t have the anti-Semitic tendencies that seem to run rampant in through all classes of society in Great Britain.
I’m not ready to give up my Glenlivet!
I have a royal salute , was saving it for my wedding !
its goyish to drink anyways
The only thing that will upset the Scottish in this whole business is the spelling of their whisky with an “e”
The Conservative movement in the US doesn’t have 25,000 men in there temples except on Rosh Hashona and Yom Kippur.
What about Glenmorangie?
Perhaps if you go to the FJMC’s website, there may be a more comprehensive list.
Interesting that the Cs finally called something right.
Good luck with that boycott. The day my local kiddush club bans Glenlivet is the day salad is served at kiddush.
Oh dear, there is no such thing as Scottish Whiskey – only Scottish Whisky.
A boycott by chasidim would.ve been much more affective since they make a lchaim every other day for yortzeit etc. Whereas the conservatives only drink on shabbos.
This movement was started by a American born, frum Israeli settler, who goes by the pen name “Jameel Rashid” who writes a blog at “Muqata”. He started The “Official-scotch-whisky-counter-boycott” page & lists (and updated) which whiskys are from the region, & how & what to write to the distilleries.
It just goes to prove -to me – that my taste for straight bourbon does not need any changing. I never had a taste for scotch, be it wiskee wiskey visky or whiskey
Please join in this boycott of Scotch Whisky from West Dunbartonshire, and write to the distilleries stating what you are doing and why.
The most important thing that you can do is contact the Scottish folks and let them know how they will be loosing out. Then we can have our drink and eat it.
Here is a contact email for the council that has initiated the boycott [email protected]
Sample.
I am completely shocked and surprised by your most recent boycott of Israel. Do you REALLY believe that Israel is simply killing citizens of the Gaza Strip or protecting their citizens from rockets that are being launched from Gaza. When you are fighting a war there is no such thing as disproportionate response. The main and only goal of war is to win, remove the evil enemy and protect your citizens. Israel has taken more precautionary measures to minimize innocent citizens of Gaza from getting harmed. When Hamas chooses to fire rockets from school yards and mosques and Israel fires back, unfortunately innocent civilians will be hurt. The blame should be put on the the Palestinian leadership, NOT the Israel government who is simply taking their responsibility to protect their citizens from harm.
I would hope that you reconsider your most recent boycott.
In the meantime, my friends and I will be no longer be purchasing your locally produced scotch until we hear that you are able to seek the truth and not crumple under the pressure of terrorist sympathizers who continue to delegitimize the state of Israel, the only true democracy in the middle east.
How so very sad. So many comments about the “tragedy” of Ch’V not being able to drink your favoride alcohol at a Kiddush Club, because of a boycott called for by a Conservative group.
How about a boycott of Kiddush Clubs, which cause a callous disregard for tefillah betzibbur and kavod Beis Hakenesses?
I notice that when dealling with booze, there are soooo many talkbacks, but when talking about other things, the talkbacks are few. Guess that booze is close to the soul of the Jew, spirits may have a spiritual overtone…
Just received this reply from Bowmore distillery:
“We have received your email regarding West Dunbartonshire Council’s boycott of Israeli products and your views on this decision. Neither Morrison Bowmore Distillery nor Auchentoshan take any political stance and this policy has been made independently from us and without our consultation.
Auchentoshan has invested significantly in working with its many friends and supporters around the world, including the Jewish community and the Kosher London Beth Din, where we recently certified our Auchentoshan Classic as a Kosher Single Malt Whisky.
As a business we recognise the concerns you have expressed regarding this policy. We are forwarding your email and separately writing to the West Dunbartonshire Council to ensure it is made fully aware of the potential implications of its policy.
As a valued friend of Auchentoshan we would very much appreciate your continued support.”