The following letter was written in response to an article in the Times Herald-Record titled “Hasidic Growth Detrimental” which appeared on July 8th, 2015. 

 

To the Editor:

Kate Payne’s outrageous and deeply disturbing letter traffics in hateful rhetoric against Jewish communities in upstate New York, made painfully clear through her letter’s horrific and inflammatory final words, “They’re killing us!”

The growth of the Jewish community in Rockland and Orange County presents legitimate and complex challenges which include – among others – politics, fiscal matters, schools, and religion. It is perfectly valid to debate any of these issues but one must be mindful about the manner in which one does so.

References to “welfare fraud” and “statutory rape” – serious crimes – should not be cast about lightly, and only serve to appeal to the lowest common denominator and incite unnecessary anger and fear. Sadly, Payne’s sweeping negative generalizations and gross mischaracterizations of Jews can only create distances between communities rather than build the bridges that are sorely needed.

Sincerely,

The Anti-Defamation League