Prove it or stop accusing us of anti-Semitism...

I have told Mahwah's town council members, on a number occasions that they must hire a PR firm to manage the eruv situation. The reason is that this group has a history of relying on nonsense rhetoric to detract from the truth. As many of my fellow residents and I have previously stated, this group is highly organized and we need to keep on top of every single lie they spread. We must ensure the truth always shines through. Therefore, I'm going to respond directly to the authors and those who are quoted in their articles and posts, below-

On jewishlinknj.com, Bracha Schwartz wrote an article where she quotes Andrea Jaffe, a volunteer communications coordinator representing the Bergen Rockland Eruv Association as saying "This eruv was planned to help people in Airmont and it does not affect anyone in Mahwah at all." Why don't you go and take a look back in history and find even a single example of what this group has done to help anyone other than themselves?

Rabbi Avi Shafran, you stated "When there is an odor of anti-Semitism in such challenges, we are particularly determined to assist the targets of ill will in any way we can." Where's the odor Rabbi? In what way do our objections even remotely relate to religion? I don't mean the actions of a few knuckleheads but rather, the majority of our residents and town council?

Rabbi Avi Schnall, you stated "It is very troubling that the real motivation behind the controversy is that townspeople don’t want observant Jews moving in,” he said. “The eruv was up for weeks, possibly months, unnoticed until a few people started to make noise and stoke fears of an Orthodox takeover of the town. It is so not true and hurtful." You might fool the media but you aren't fooling us. We would welcome observant Jews with open arms. Again, our concerns have nothing to do with religion. What has happened in Rockland County, Lakewood NJ, and elsewhere is not a product of any, one religious group "moving in..." it is the result of what they did once they arrived. But what was done by this group does not even remotely relate to their faith. Read my other blog posting if you need a refresher. You then made this claim that our fears of a 'takeover' are untrue and hurtful. Rabbi Schnall, all we need to do is look in a history book, as well as recognize the current events in the towns around us, to confirm these fears. Simply stated, you are lying and the only hurtful actions are the ones you have taken in having no remorse or problem with being this disingenuous.

Jason Shames, you stated “The hate speech and rhetoric have to stop." You're right...so stop it. You and others have accused a very loving and inclusive community of being bigots and anti-Semites. In contrast, with the exception of a few knuckleheads, as referenced above...a select few, who the overwhelming majority of us have vehemently rejected, have consistently reiterated that our concerns have nothing to do with religion.

Bracha Schwartz- in referencing the thoughts of Yehuda Buchweitz said "that eruvin have brought people together instead of dividing them." But then...

Yehuda Buchweitz, you stated "In virtually every community where an eruv exists, it is a symbol of diversity, done cooperatively with local officials. In Los Angeles, when there was highway construction and the eruv was down, the city helped put it back up. When I argued the case in Westhampton, I told the host of a TV interview who lives in Princeton that there was an eruv there; he didn’t even know."

Buchweitz's quote does not confirm Schwartz's assertion that the eruvin bring people together. It doesn't state it divides them either. It quite literally doesn't achieve either of these points.

David Yolkut, you stated, when referencing Tenafly, "All that happened was the town spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. The eruv is important to people who want it and irrelevant to people who don’t."

To some degree, I see your point...they are irrelevant to some of us - as a religious symbol. They are, however, unattractive to look at throughout our town. Further, we cannot ignore the reality of what they represent. Deny it all day and night, we know your long-term plans.

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Elizabeth Kratz wrote an article, also on jewishlinknj.com, titled "Charlottesville, Mahwah and the Worst Version of Ourselves." Yes...you read that correctly. Kratz is aligning the events in Mahwah with those in Charlottesville. This is not even remotely worthy of a response except to state that I am astounded by the idiocy of such an assertion. I also see that Kratz connected with Rep. Gottheimer who added to this foolishness. I have reached out and after he and I speak, I'll share his response with you. Noting that...he is a politician, so his response will likely be useless.

Elizabeth Kratz, you stated "These mainly relate to the “dirty Jews” as part of the Mahwah and Upper Saddle River eruv controversy. These are painful reminders of how much the residents of these two towns, and those with whom they have aligned, employ stereotypical images as weapons to poison the minds of others. They say they don’t hate all Jews. They say they only hate “Chasidim,” with their many dirty children and how the Chasidim don’t pay taxes and visit their pristine parks. Despite this “distinction,” every comment I delete chinks away a part of my joy and pride of who I am. As an American."

As noted above, I don't deny that there are some knuckleheads in the crowd...there always are. But between Mahwah's residents and our local government, who referenced anyone as being a "dirty Jew?" And you see this controversy as a "painful reminder" where we have "employed stereotypical images as weapons to poison the minds of others?" Seriously? In what possible way did you draw the conclusion that this has anything to do with religion? There are no "stereotypical images..." there is only a town next door to ours where the schools have been destroyed, as well as communities as a whole. These are not stereotypes, they are facts. They also have nothing to do with religion. Also, who ever said we hate any Jew? Growing up as reformed Jew in Rockland County, I distinctly remember walking in Monsey, being told that "fake Jews aren't allowed." If we were to look in a history book, I've got to tell you, I think the only 'hate' would be on your side. Elizabeth, you are arguing the wrong points and your defense, either way, is ridiculous. Finally, you state that "there is no “Chasidic incursion” in Upper Saddle River and Mahwah." I'm sorry but we are not going to ignore history because you don't care to admit the truth or take the time to learn the reality for yourself.

To label Mahwah's residents (or the residents of any of our neighboring towns) as anti-Semitic, is to completely ignore to whom this term has been applied, historically. It is bad enough when this group makes false claims and spreads lies...but their behavior here is a betrayal of their heritage and a staggering attempt to exploit the struggles of their ancestors.

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I've saved the best for last. Rabbi Avi Schnall, published his own article in the Asbury Park Press (not surprisingly owned by USA Today - the same company who owns Lohud, NJ.com, their respective print publications and has only voiced one side of this entire topic, ignoring ours). This article is mind-blowing. I could tear this nonsense, BS apart word-for-word but instead, will focus on the 'best of'-

"Although missing pet notices and fiber-optic cable boxes abound, the plastic pipes alone have inspired residents to invoke an anti-signage ordinance to protest them."

Actually, while these are likely found on some poles, they are not allowed. Thanks for proving our point.

"But legalities and regulations aside, the real issue that emerges in the anti-eruv battle is the determination, voiced outright by some, more subtly by others, that Jews are “taking over” communities. The Jews are coming! Actually, they’re already there, and just seeking to improve their lives in a way that benefits them greatly and doesn’t in any way interfere with anyone else’s life."

Yes Rabbi, they are here. And many of them are the very same ones that your community reject as being "fake Jews." And if we are to learn from history, then we understand that while they likely want to improve their lives, they will also knowingly do so unapologetically, destroying everyone else's lives around them. Is this because they are Jewish? Not in the slightest. You want to continue to push this rhetoric but it is untrue, unfounded, and if you want to debate the point, name the time and place. This assertion has GOT to end. The behaviors and actions taken by your communities cannot be ignored, yet you insist on placing blame anywhere other than what you see in the mirror. This tact may have worked in the past but them's days are over!

You then proceeded to include three, random quotes, which represent the overwhelming minority of comments on this subject. This is a form of deception on which your group has also relied, historically. You then add "Love may trump hate, but in Mahwah – and Montvale and Upper Saddle River, other communities challenging local eruvs – fear seems to be trumping facts."

"Fear seems to be trumping facts?" This defies explanation. Do you know what a fact is? This is so infuriating I can hardly muster the words to describe how ridiculous this claim is. Facts? You have so far shared none because if you did, you would need to tell the actual story here- that our actual concerns are with a group of people. Whether they are green, red, purple, or blue - it doesn't matter! What has been done in other towns and continues to be done, by a group of people, is not welcomed here. Religious beliefs are irrelevant and if you intend to keep on promoting this BS, you will continue to find that we will stand up to you as it is you that is being dishonest, disrespectful and dishonorable. Like I noted above...you want to debate "facts?" Name the time and place.

You shame yourself, your family, and your people by perpetuating lies and pointing blame on an innocent population of people. We are inclusive...you are not...and unlike you, we have the actual facts to prove it.

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Sidebar, bonus question I can't help but ask-

This group is (typically) unyielding in adhering to their own traditions. When those members of their community came together and came up with the idea for the eruvin, this meant that they would be going against one of their traditions. Well, if they were going to go against tradition anyway...why didn't they just abolish the rule restricting people to their homes altogether? What am I missing?