In the wake of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel, disturbing lawn signs appeared in Weston.
Last week, Rabbi Michael Friedman of Westport’s Temple Israel and Rev. Bernard Wilson of Weston’s Norfield Congregational Church sent this open letter to residents of the town:
On Sunday morning, a new set of political lawn signs appeared around town. They referenced candidates running for selectman with the phrase, “Ham & Baloney: more of the same ol’ leftovers for Weston.”
It happens that the targeted candidates are both Jewish, and that these signs were often placed next to lawn signs depicting the Israeli flag.
The reference to pork products, regarding two Jewish candidates, placed next to the flag of Israel, just days after Israel was attacked adds up to an impact that is antisemitic.
Rabbi Michael Friedman
More broadly, we are concerned for the tenor of political discourse in our town and our nation. As a community we want to be in dialogue with each other. We want discourse that affirms, encourages, emboldens and inspires. While we support the right of all Westonites to voice their support for issues or candidates, negative or oppositional messaging coarsens the discourse of our community.
In this community we work hard to raise awareness of how hateful words make others feel. In this case members of the Jewish community feel targeted. We would say the same regarding language that isolates and stokes fear against people of color and our Muslim community. Derogatory language towards any faith, religion or race has no place here.
We believe that human beings generally have good intentions. But sometimes even the best of intentions may have an unanticipated harmful impact. Our hope in writing this letter is to strengthen the fabric of our community and further build the culture of inclusion that so many of us value here in Weston.
In peace,
First Selectwoman Sam Nestor added these thoughts:
This weekend, various signs were strategically placed throughout our town, and unfortunately they have sparked fears and concerns amongst our families. Further, the subsequent discussion has shown a divide among our community.
1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor
In my capacity as a town leader, it is crucial that I address the matter of these signs and emphasize their inappropriate nature. Regardless of whether they were deliberately designed to be so, the Jewish families in our community, including myself, perceive them as being antisemitic. It is of utmost importance that we approach this issue with the seriousness it deserves and truly listen to the concerns raised.
To gain a better understanding of the situation at hand, I have taken the time to consult with esteemed faith leaders and advisors. I strongly urge everyone to not dismiss this matter when it arises, but rather, to speak up and take a stand against it.
These signs have had a profound impact on our Jewish community members, leaving them feeling a range of emotions: unsafe, unwelcome, unheard.
Our neighbors are in pain, and as a community, we have the responsibility to support each other. I sincerely hope that you will stand with me in assuring our community that we will not tolerate the infiltration of antisemitism within our town. Together, we can make a difference.
(Hat tip: Sarah Kerstin Gross)
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Thank you for speaking up and thank you Dan for posting. 1st select woman Nester said it perfectly: Our neighbors are in pain, and as a community, we have the responsibility to support each other.
It is unfortunate that some people have no empathy unless they are personally experiencing something. I hope these people will think about what a scary time it is for the Jewish people and be kind even if they don’t quite understand.
Shalom/Salaam Peace for all.
If Rabbi Friedman and others mean what they say, that”we want to be in dialogue with each other,” and that “we want discourse that affirms, encourages, emboldens, and inspires”, then they should be forcefully condemning the wholly unwarranted cancellation of the UN Day address by the Kuwaiti ambassador.
yes I would not allow certain flags on the bridge. Will there be a Russian flag? Iran ? Lebanon ? Hungry ? Quatar ?
Larry, while I’m not in a position to speak for the rabbi, in context his statement appears to be referring to discussions with each other in the community. These discussions should be about how to make our community better. For example, I wasn’t aware of the community garden issue until it was raised by concerned residents, yourself included. My listening, reading, and keeping an open mind I have become better informed on the issue. That is a good thing. It is much easier than attacking each other.
While I had no say in the decision to cancel the Kuwaiti ambassador’s address, could you elaborate on what role Rabbi Friedman had in the cancellation of the address?
once again I turn to the loudest voice on the face of earth. Recently Trump called Hamas smart and Trump criticized Netenyahu Trump also said Putin was a genius for invading Ukraine. Trump and his party and right wing media consistently attack George Soros. The influence on such antisemitic statements affect many ignorant individuals. Many clergy including Rabbis say nothing about it when they preach to their congregants. Adults and children hear politicians say antisemitic statements and are encouraged to act accordingly. Trumps antisemitic statement calling Hamas smart gives credibility to ignorant people to act out. it’s very dangerous. America is getting more and more antisemitic and failing to use facts and truth in communication. We have lost our moral compass and we are heading toward an authoritarian country Stand up. Spealk our. Do not ignorant fact free criticism intimidate you.
false. I saw it I hear it.
go to fact check.org. he called Hamas very smart. I resent the attempt to change facts
Tom in calling Hezbollah very smart what do you think that does for Jews and terrorist nations? Trump called Putin a genius for invading Ukraine. Trump said he gets love letters from dictator of N Korea. Do you think it encourages democratic values ? or does it embolden anti democratic way of life that USA used to enjoy ? if he said Hezbollah what did fence does the statement make. ?
Trump also said he is running against Obama. Trump said Orban is the president of Turkey. all recently. If Biden said that you would screaming dementia
Dick, who’s spent more time behind bars? You or Trump?
Renee,
We’re doing hard time in this prison called Dan’s blog. And Dick’s the warden. “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”
In response to David Krasne:
The rabbi had nothing to do with the Library’s cancellation of the UN Day speech by the Kuwaiti ambassador to the UN, nor did he do or say anything critical of that unconscionable decision which runs counter to his plea for dialog and a free exchange of ideas.
It’s easy to call for dialog and understanding, difficult to call out its suppression.
Hate is usually the response of a weak character with little confidence in its own ability to survive if put to the test of supporting even those that they love and need in hard times. Whether it is physical or emotional support that their family needs, they can’t do it!! If they are weak enough, it is broadened to the community. Putting up a protective barrier in defense of their lie of strength!!
Then when they act and are caught in the act, they commit suicide rather than standing alone in the open with their lies. They have been alone too long. That is why this has become so strong in the world!! It is a result of the Covid Isolation.
To the families of these actors, please watch your family member closely!! Try to support them emotionally through these times of fright and loneliness. The more macho they are- whether man or woman- the more self destructive their behavior is!! Tell them that many, many people are frightened now but standing together with people who love you makes you both and ALL much stronger!!
If you love them, go to therapy WITH THEM!!
Support them through the process of learning what has hurt them so much.
We are ALL IN A WAR NOW!! It is the same as PTSD for soldiers coming out of combat!!
Killing very bad people in order to survive in kill or be killed situations is not what soldiers suffer from!!
It’s the killing of the weak and innocent that gets Rambo to jump off of the cliff!!
That is why there must be a cease fire in Israel. AND, that is why Putin will never stop bombarding Ukraine.
HAMAS MEMBERS AND PUTIN ARE TOO WEAK TO CARE ABOUT OTHERS. THEY CANT ACTUALLY HELP THEMSELVES NEVER MIND ANYONE ELSE!!
They are too ‘sick’ and weak themselves. We must help them before they get this far. Otherwise, it will be suicide and usually taking many innocent people randomly because they can’t face death alone.
https://www.adl.org/report-incident?_ga=2.144030261.1056530312.1698598646-1348448658.1698598585
Please consider reporting this and any other hate crimes to the ADL.
the anti defamation league is my unsung hero.
PS. THIS IS WHY TRUMP IS SO MEAN AND CHALLENGING!!
A 3 year old in a never ending hissy fit!!
He needs a big time out to think about how and why he feels so alone and NEEDS the cheer and acceptance of ‘the crowd’ so much. To think about why ‘normal and compassionate’ people don’t like him!!
HAMASS fighters need that too. Being an incessant hot head isolates them against their own ‘normal’ feelings of seeing what they have done in their psychotic ranting.
If they have no excuse to kill or maim for awhile, they will be forced to see how much they have hurt the Palestinians around them in the name of protecting Palestine?
If they are too far gone for that they will run into battle to suicide by Israeli who is waiting to kill them.
It’s only natural Justice. It’s their only way out of the holes that they have dug to hide in!!
If Trump can’t learn and reform himself in some way, he will have a heart attack on his way to go to prison or soon into his sentence. Suicide in the face of Justice that he knows inside is righteous.
I would like to know if those signs were removed? Did anyone apologize? Can the ADL come for some training ?
also, when kept within context (which we know isn’t at all convenient for those who are ‘Just Always Going To Be Anti Trump’ Trump – THE POTUS who stopped playing each side off one another = Abraham Accords – was smartly saying ‘do not under-estimate Iran/Hezbollah/Hamas.’ If you can’t keep someone’s words in context to support your agenda, maybe your agenda needs some more thought ?