For several weeks, small posters with photos of Israelis kidnapped by Hamas have hung on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
That triggered one Norwalk resident.
The woman, whose social media handle is “Best of CT Moms” — definitely not to be confused with “Moms of Westport” — posted a video story on Instagram.
Admitting it would be “an unpopular opinion,” she said: “I do not like all the kidnapped signs all over Westport. There’s nobody here who has been kidnapped that we can actually find.”
Should there be one side of the bridge with Israelis, and one side with Palestinians, she asked, “and you choose which side to walk on?”
She continued: “What was the goal? To let people know people were kidnapped? I feel like everyone knows.”
Or perhaps to let people know that antisemitism exists? “We know as Jews people are antisemitic,” she said. “I don’t need to be reminded. It’s not positive.”
She said that protecting her own mental health was important, so she stays away from the news. But, she concluded, “I don’t need news. I can drive through Westport and see all the kidnapped people.
“It’s too much. It’s too much. It’s too much.” (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
Screenshot of “Best of CT Moms”
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In just 24 hours, Westport passed the halfway mark in its drive to provide heat to 2,000 residents in our Ukraine sister city this winter.
“06880” announced yesterday a $60,000 goal for Lyman. That would cover 2 wood pellet machines. Each heats 1,000 homes — a dire need, in the 2nd winter after Russia’s invasion.
An anonymous donor kick-started the campaign, with a $30,000 donation. Within an hour, another anonymous Westporter contributed $10,000.
Combined with $6,300 more from individual residents, we’re less than $15,000 away from funding both wood pellet heating machines.
Come on, Westport. We can finish this today — and have the machines delivered, up and running by Christmas. Ukrainine Aid International — the non-profit created by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — will handle all details.
To donate by credit card, click here; then click the “I want to support” box; then select “Westport — Lyman Sister City.” Scroll down on the Donate page for other options: mail, wire transfer and Venmo. Thank you!
Wood pellet heating machine.
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Westport’s annual Hanukkah menorah lighting is set for Monday (December 11), at 5 p.m. in front of Anthropologie, where the Post Road meets Church Lane and Main Street.
The public is invited.
The downtown menorah, in 2020. (Photo/Arlene Yolles)
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Interested in learning how to make your home more energy efficient? Want to help Westport reach our goal of becoming Net Zero by 2050?
Sustainable Westport offers a “Going Geothermal” session. It provides information, resources — and confidence — to kick off an energy-saving home improvement project.
A panel of energy professionals — and Westporters who have actually been through the process — will lead a conversation, and answer questions. The event is next Tuesday (December 12, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library). Click here to register, and for more information.
Going geothermal.
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It’s all 12s for the Artists Collective of Westport.
Their 12″x12″ small works holiday show kicks off in the Westport Country Playhouse Sheffer Barn next Tuesday: 12/12. The reception (not 12 noon, but rather 6 to 8 p.m.) includes food, music and wine. “Affordable artwork” will be available, in a variety of mediums.
The show continues December 13 to 17, from 2 to 6 p.m.
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Last year, Julie Buoy Whamond threw a dance party. She raised over $4,500 for Westport’s Warm-Up Fund.
This year, she’s aiming for more.
Her “Girls Nite Dance Party” next Wednesday (December 13, 7 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church’s Branson Hall) includes a DJ and dancing.
“Bring a drink and snack to share,” Julie says. “Holiday attire encouraged!”
There’s a $35 donation to attend. Venmo @Julie-Whamond. Questions? Email Whamondjoy@gmail.com.
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The Westport Rotary Club is a longtime supporter of Mercy Learning Center.
Yesterday, Mercy’s new president and CEO Lindsay Wyman told members the many ways in which the Bridgeport non-profit educates women, in turn helping families overcome poverty.
Mercy’s holistic support services include adult education, English instruction — plus full infant and toddler care, and an early childhood education program.
Since opening in 1987, over 16,500 women have been helped. Many earn GEDs and citizenship. Volunteer tutors and childcare givers are always needed, Wyman said.
Mercy Learning Center CEO Lindsay Wyman. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Elton John loves Drew Angus.
The mega-popular knighted singer — who has sold over 300 million records worldwide — recently posted an Instagram of his reactions to a couple of other versions of his double platinum 1973 hit “Step Into Christmas.”
Among the songs he liked: the one by 2007 Staples High School graduate Angus.
Check it out below. Drew appears twice: first in a circular frame, wearing crazy glasses; then performing, in a red flannel shirt.
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Speaking of entertainment: In a few minutes (10 a.m.), Westporter Rex Fowler — half of Aztec Two-Step 2.0 — will be live on Rob Silber’s “Rock Therapy” show on WPKN-FM.
Rex will discuss his new memoir, and play a few songs mentioned in it. Click here, then click on the “Listen” link — or tune in to 89.5.
Aztec Two-Step 2.0: Dodie Pettit and Rex Fowler.
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Following up on yesterday’s announcement about makeup, skincare, health and wellness products and hair products at a special holiday gift event at Salon Nash this Saturday (December 9, 2:30 to 6 p.m., 179 Post Road West), which is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Senior Center:
Owner Felicia Nash will also give a free blowout for contributions to Ukraine Aid International’s sister city fund (click here; then click the “I want to support” box; select “Westport — Lyman Sister City”).
Salon Nash owner Felicia Catale.
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Robert Bernstein — a noted educator, and Westport resident for 55 years — died yesterday morning, surrounded by his family. He was 94. He leaves a legacy of love and laughter.
Born in the Bronx, the third of 3 boys, he earned BA and MA degrees from Brooklyn College. He served in Korea as Sergeant First Class with the 101st Airborne Infantry Division, then joined the pre-doctoral program at Teachers’ College, Columbia University.
Bob’s soulmate and life partner was Barbara (Bobbie) Grishman (Bobbie). They raised 3 children: Lydia, Doug and Brian.
Bob began his teaching career in elementary schools in New York City and Westchester County. After an administrative internship, he accepted a principalship in Wilmington, Delaware.
In 1968, Bob found a perfect fit as principal of Redding Elementary School. The family moved to Westport.
Bob was the beloved principal of Redding Elementary for 25 years, dedicating himself to facilitating the growth of children and teachers and profoundly impacting the community. After retirement, he held 4 interim principalships.
Bob also taught adult education in New York City and Westchester County, and ESL with Norwalk Community College and Literacy Volunteers in Danbury. He was a member of the board and served as president of the Elementary/Middle School Principal Association of Connecticut.
Bob was a longtime member of the Y’s Men of Westport Weston and Temple Israel. He loved opera and the symphony, enjoyed playing tennis and ping pong, and watching his grandchildren play sports. Spending time at Compo Beach remained his favorite activity.
His family says, “Bob was the consummate gentleman, treating every person with kindness, respect, and dignity. We will carry forward his most enduring and endearing quality; a belief in every person’s goodness and their capacity to grow.”
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Bobbie, their children Lydia, Doug (and Melissa) and Brian (and Lauren), his grandchildren Miriam, Brendan, Ilana, Jessica (Graham), Audrey, Cayla, Sydelle, Esther and Nate; brother-in-law Hank Grishman (Jill), and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his grandson Jason.
Bob’s service will be held at Temple Israel tomorrow (Thursday, December 7, 1 p.m.). Burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery in Norwalk.
Shiva will be held at the home of Bob and Bobbie’s home on December 7 immediately following the burial, and Friday, December 8 (1 to 4 p.m.) and Saturday, December 9 (7 to 9 p.m.; service at 7:30).
Bob’s favorite educational and cultural arts charities were: A Better Chance of Westport (PO Box 2153, Westport, CT 06881) and Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County (391 East Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608).
Bob Bernstein
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The other day, our “Westport … Naturally” feature showed a swarm of blackbirds.
Here’s a similar shot, from elsewhere in Westport. Once again, there are far more than 4 and 20.
Fortunately, they’re not baked in a pie.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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And finally … speaking of “Step Into Christmas” (story above): Here are the 2 versions mentioned. Enjoy (and “the admission’s free…”):
(Drew Angus and Sir Elton John both urge you to support “06880.” Just make a tax-deductible contribution by clicking here. Thank you!)
Agree with the woman who commented on pictures on the bridge. What anxiety does this cause children as well as adults. We all know the atrocities being committed, all we can do is pray for peace and support victims in both Gaza and Ukraine
Is there a reason you don’t mention the victims in Israel?
Peter, you’ve demonstrated EXACTLY why the posters are so important – too many people, as evidenced by YOUR comment above, are working to erase the brutal kidnapping of hundreds of Israeli victims from the public consciousness. Do you also object to the images of missing children on milk cartons for fear they will cause anxiety in children…somehow, I doubt it. You may want to consider why.
Peter, if you want to draw any parallels, here they are:
Both ISRAEL and UKRAINE were brutally attacked by neighbors without provocation. Neighbors governed by regimes that hold no regard for the lives of their own citizens and use propaganda to its max. The brutalities committed by the Russian soldiers in Bucha are on par with the atrocities done by Hamas (btw 1/3 of the 3k attackers on October 10th were actually Gazan civilians, not militants). Both Israel and Ukraine have every right to defend itself. You comment, the way it’s written, is tonedeaf and ignorant, or maybe something else…
While I can certainly empathize with the woman who is uncomfortable with all the negativity and horrors of society today, turning a blind eye or ignoring it is tantamount to supporting it. The old saying is true, i.e. to paraphrase, the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Evil hates the light and withers in its presence. A civilized American society requires we all stand up and fight, verbally or otherwise, for the rights of all people, firstly in America but also across the world. Make no mistake, American voices hold sway not only here at home but throughout the world. I appreciate the feeling of hopelessness to not have a direct avenue to help but please understand that everyone who raises an objection, posts a flyer, makes a donation, verbalizes outrage and joins their voices with others IS making a difference. Remember, as Americans, we would all be much better off understanding that there but for the grace of _____ (fill in the blank), go we. I hope you find some peace.
Dan,
I’m a little confused why you chose to platform this person and her comments. She is not a Westport resident. She holds an opinion that is at odds with many people our town, and her comments are incredibly solipsistic and ill-considered.
As one of the commentors said above, these photos of smiling men women and children, including some US citizens, are up on the bridge to confront us all with the fact that these people are STILL missing. I’m sorry if you don’t find that “positive”. I do not find it “positive” either.
As for this person’s mental health, if she must drive through our town, perhaps she can choose to drive over the beautiful Bridge Street bridge, decorated for the holidays, so as not to offend her sensibility. Positive!
Sean, I’m a little confused why you’re confused. The “06880” tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.” A resident of a neighboring town has used social media to draw attention to an aspect of Westport life that disturbs her. Let the discussion about it begin. No need to sweep it under the rug. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.
20% of the people who comment aren’t Westport residents! My association with Westport ended 30 years ago.
If somebody finds the heartbreaking images on Ruth’s bridge “too much” and chooses to set aside the anguishing reason for the presence of those images, use Bill’s bridge (Cribari bridge) instead.
I am stunned that someone who uses the handle or is in a group called “BestofCTmoms” is more concerned with sweeping atrocities “under the rug” than educating and confirming to all the events that took place October 7th. I can’t help but think of the Jews of Nazi Germany and Europe made to wear yellow stars, beaten and shipped to concentration camps. Would she have been depressed by those scenes and asked that the Jews not be allowed to walk in public and to please re-route the trains because it would be too disturbing for her to see?
Yes, too many people chose to ignore.
The world needs to see these images so that the history of the holocaust will NEVER be repeated.
“NEVER AGAIN”
What is disturbing is this person, unlike the other mom groups who are inclusive and open do no not use their platform to call out or politicize current world issues. Other mom groups, if anything, will protest atrocities and peacefully condemn such hatred.
The posters bother you? What about the victims families and witnesses to these guerrilla cowardly war crimes? What about the students who cannot even walk to class or go to temple without some sort of disturbance or disruption by means to incite harm or lethal force?
How does it feel to drive your Tesla to go grocery shopping without fear of your market being hit by a missile?
What about returning to your home that is not required to have a safe room? All homes in Israel must have a safe room.
It is the ONLY Jewish dominating populated country, surrounded by others who do not want them to exist.
Ruth Steinkraus Bridge is and will ALWAYS be the bridge of guiding light and our visual voice to the world to speak out against crimes, punishment, hatred, unfair treatment to society.
Westport is the largest Jewish populated town in Fairfield County and will always continue to be a safe place to practice your beliefs, share your traditions, influence diversity and culture, but always free of hatred. This will always be a place to safely raise your children.
The posters are up because that is someone’s child, relative, parent, significant other. If that was YOUR child, relative, parent, or significant other, who disappeared off the face of the earth with no closure, you too would be doing everything to find them, and remember them.
Time is going by on this one and only earth with our one and only life without being present with their loved ones. It’s atrocious and abhorrent.
The condescending attitude in the video (which I have for anyone who wants to see) is entitled, privileged, selfish, and cold.
No, I am not Jewish. But you do not have to be something for it to bother or upset you.
Standing on the Steinkraus Bridge, arms interlocked together, unified, all walks of color, gender, religion, should and will happen.
I stand with Israel and always will.
This Norwalk resident arrogantly refers to herself as “Best of CT Moms.” Her callous reaction to flyers of smiling faces of children who are hostages renders her the worst of moms, frankly. What kind of mother does not support justice—or more to the point, other people’s efforts to seek justice—for kidnapped children? Her snide hypothetical about posting flyers of kidnapped Palestinians betrays not only her ignorance of the situation but also her carelessness and irresponsibility to suggest that the IDF is engaged in kidnapping. Categorically, unequivocally untrue and thus blithely antisemitic even to suggest it. I could go on and on but I would end up where I started: this woman should not be promoted and given more attention. What is “too much” is for hostages to be held in captivity for two months. We Jewish Westport residents, and ALL Americans, should be proud to support and display our resistance to and denunciation of those who call for “Death to Jews! Death to America.”
Westport’s Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge honors service. Best of CT Moms blog promotes shopping… it looks to me like the wanna be shopping influencer considers our community’s deeply felt determination to display our willingness to settle for nothing less than justice, mercy, and goodness a downer when it comes to holiday shopping. The influencer occupies a shallower more unsavory place than the mud under the bridge.
I’m confused , what Palestinian posters would she suggest be put up across the bridge of the Israeli/American hostage posters ? The posters of the Palestinian hostages? Let’s do that .. oh wait .. there are none !
The Westporter who placed the “Kidnapped” posters on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge asked me to post this comment:
“This week the presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT refused to affirm before Congress that calling for genocide of Jews violates their schools’ code of conduct. Their remarks came the day after first responders testified at the United Nations about the sexual violence committed by Hamas against Israelis on October 7:
‘There were girls with broken pelvis due to repetitive rapes, their legs were split wide apart in a split. … There seem to be a systematic genital mutilation of a group of victims.’
“This dissonance makes it imperative we bear witness to the atrocities and continuing violations of international law happening in the war begun by Gaza against Israel. As the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross reminded the world last month, Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions codifies that, ‘Hostage-taking is prohibited and hostages should be immediately released unharmed.’ As well, Article 76 on the Protection of Women states, ‘Women shall be the object of special respect and shall be protected in particular against rape, forced prostitution and any other form of indecent assault.’
“It’s notable that signatories to the Geneva Conventions include not just the US and Israel, but also Qatar, the host of Hamas leaders, and Iran, the military and financial sponsor of Hamas. Hamas itself is not a state so not a signatory, but in any case their leader says, ‘We will never recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli occupation, and therefore there is no legitimacy for Israel.’
“Within our living memory, the great nations of Europe turned their industry towards the wholesale murder of millions of
‘doctors, musicians, tailors, clerks, farmers, intellectuals… Jews.’ Coming to speak in Westport on January 10 is Esther Basch, who was 16 when she was imprisoned in Auschwitz 79 years ago. Yet just over seven weeks ago, another Holocaust survivor, 85-year-old Yaffa Adar, was kidnapped by Hamas. This reality of not historical but contemporary antisemitism is what we must face – and face down – together.
“Westport is uniquely suited to stand up for human rights. Our town symbol is the Minuteman, the citizen defenders of liberty in the Revolution. We helped give birth to the UN and just celebrated our 58th Annual jUNe Day. We have been sister cities with Marigny, France, for three-quarters of a century, starting when we organized to help the townspeople recover from WWII. And we are coming up on our first anniversary of becoming sister cities with Lyman, Ukraine, and our community contribution of more than a quarter-million dollars of aid.
“We named our town’s bridge for Ruth Steinkraus Cohen because for half a century she ‘thought globally — and acted locally.’ It is fitting therefore that I and others have tied to her namesake bridge more than 50 posters of those kidnapped, as a visible reminder that never again is now.”
Yes, and the apparently IQ challenged President of Harvard, when asked whether the U had a policy against the anti-semitic speech, said that only if the rhetoric called for violence, would the U act…what the f… is genocide if not violence…how dumb, how numb can a person be. Well, f… Harvard and f… its President.
And MIT & UPENN. An entitled approach of, “it’s not my problem,” with the sidelining and refusal to answer to the obvious question, “is it hate if Jewish students are followed and surrounded and called horrible names on their way to class?”
Three prestigious universities tarnished by lack of empathy and leadership.
Well said Dan 👏🏼
That Woman with That Video is abs wrong and obv doesn’t know WSPT well at all, i.e.,
There are a good number, not just a few, but at min several people in or connected to WSPT who then know several more, (like a good Game Of Telephone), who can influence that then turns into productive pressure/push factor on people to get hostages incrementally released; esp when some number of hostages have dual citizenship. Add in WSPT and people connected to WSPT having friends and friends of friends and relatives in news media, incl Al Jazeera, who hamas will not take orders from but will speak to, who hamas will and has listened to, etc. you never know who knows who that can be a helpful push factor towards gtg a hostage released.
good to know though there are people out there like her discouraging That; if she didn’t post that video and dan didn’t share his awareness of it on this blog I wouldn’t have believed it.
On Friday, May 25, 1979 — I had just turned 13 years old — a six-year-old NYC boy named Etan Patz disappeared — kidnapped — on his way to school. His image was one of the first to appear on the now iconic milk cartons. Today, on December 7, 2023, Etan remains missing, and presumed murdered. Anyone with breath in their lungs, brains in their heads and arm ounce of humanity will empathize with the Patz family for their 44 years of ongoing torment because their beloved child was taken from them. To this day, Etan’s disappearance haunts me — as it should haunt us all as parents! — and I continue to pray for the miracle of his return.
What I find truly reprehensible and tone-deaf is that a mother who runs a “Best of CT Moms” — espousing do-good opportunities for families — does “not like all the kidnapped signs all over Westport. (Do you object to plastered missing dog posters?) In your words, “There’s nobody here who has been kidnapped that we can actually find.” Actually Genie, we know where these children are. These children CAN be found. These children are being held against their will and away from their families in the tunnels of Gaza.
The children of Israel aren’t less important than Etan Patz… they aren’t less than important because they live in a foreign land… they aren’t less important because they are Jewish… and they aren’t less important because they aren’t your children. They are important because they are EVERYONE’S CHILDREN. They need to be reunited with their families, assuming their parents haven’t already been murdered by terrorists.
So, while you have the luxury to drive freely around Fairfield County — first world problems as they say — and help fill backpacks for those underserved in our community, let me remind you that those missing children posters in Westport, the ones you think do nothing, actually do something: They put into action the “think globally, act locally motto.”
I, too, hope those posters are removed soon. But not because these missing posters disgust me. I hope the posters are taken down because each and every kidnapped child has been found, and returned home, alive. That includes Etan Patz.
Until then, let the missing posters be a daily reminder for us all: there but for the grace of God, go I.
whenever I walk down that stretch of spring, that corner of west broadway I think of that kid and his mom watching him as far as possible fr their apt window as he made that 1st ‘big boy’ walk to the bus stop alone. as you’re saying, at the very least, at least keeping up awareness of him, like keeping up awareness of these hostages, helps their families feel supported.
I implore ANYONE to email me for the video, and you tell me how you feel after you hear the TONE in her voice and total lack of empathy, care, understanding, and selfish approach to a 3 month war where 1,000+ were murdered and 280+ kidnapped and many unaccounted for to this day.
A nine year old child can only speak in whisper. An 10 month old baby and his sibling and mother are rumored dead with no confirmation, in a “stick em’ up,” move to receive money to further fund their war on terror.
Eye witness testimony and video of women having their pelvis’ broken from being gang raped. People watched in horror, helplessly, fearing for their own lives while watching their lives be taken. There is NO other definition for the word, “gang rape.”
But missing posters are too much and need to be taken down?? I hope Westport’s Merchants read this and think twice about continuing any ventures with this individual for their selfish approach.
Also, many of my friends have messaged her and the typical sidestepping response and trying to play it off with how they were presented on the bridge, using frames, etc.
Abhorrent. Just apologize and DO better.
I’m more concerned that there aren’t more posters so ALL of the hostages are known; in downtown NYC I’m seeing what seems like the posters of the same 10-20, when there are still, I think, close to the original 200?
and I’m always considered to be a supporter of Palestinians, so THIS concern I have for people in general isn’t about That; I don’t care what religion the hostages are, they need to be rescued/released immediately.
(The Abraham Accords were a REAL solid foundation giving Palestinians a way to really root, get secure instead of being played as they have been for decades by all USA Presidents prior to Abraham Accords, increase their educations, healthcare, all around quality of life, but Versus The USA $6B weight Biden Govt (and all the senators and congress who supported Biden Govt doing so and I think they span both political parties) placed on Iran (Hamas) trigger finger, the time the Abraham Accords need to really manifest … The $6B Heavier Iran (Hamas) Trigger Finger unfortunately weighs more at the moment.
The butcher Palestinian babies and women don’t count in Westport. Post some pictures of what is left of Gaza as the world sees them except in America. Oh, classy move posting the women’s picture so she could be harassed.
Exactly. When this blog posts pictures of entitled parking ‘anonymously’
Isn’t Andrew the consumate politician? Always writinge and speaking what the people want to hear.
I have the video if you would like to see it. Email me.
You are one self absorbed individual. Email you? For what? The video I viewed Monday in Cambridge?
I know it’s not the same caliber as Storrs or Stamford
Email you, what a chuckle.
Self absorbed 🤣
doesn’t she post her own photo on her own blog that she herself is trying to generate attention to ? it’s not like dan woog sent out paparazzi to photograph her.
Have you heard how the rest of the muslim world refer to Hamas as Their Animals and as The Taliban of Gaza; that’s not Israelis referring to them by those descriptions but other muslims who are diplomats, politicians and members of news media, around the world.
And, do you know that Hamas Types in Gaza don’t treat Palestinians who want to participate in benefits and opptys of Abraham Accords well, in fact, they scare them, i.e., that’s why those that resist participating in the benefits and opptys of Abraham Accords (or are blocked fr doing so by Hamas kind of neighborhood bullies) are still gtg around via donkey and cart, little to no electricity, poor food and water, etc., resulting then in them being swayed/pressured by Hamas to participate in heinous crimes as they did by taking these hostages and mutilating at minimum many of them. I know I’m not wrong about any of that because it’s what I hear fr not Israelis or people who are jewish but fr muslims and people who are while not muslim lean Pro Palestine.
You think you’re sticking up for Palestinians with what you said, but you’re not … you’re sticking up for Hamas (Iran), i.e., they’re not the same people.
There is no moral or ethical equivalent: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/12/06/middleeast/rape-sexual-violence-hamas-israel-what-we-know-intl/index.html