As the congregation representing the largest Hasidic community in Brooklyn, Yetev Lev D’Satmar (CYL) and its affiliated school system Central United Talmudical Academy (CUTA), we wish to express our strong support for the extraordinary efforts undertaken by NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio during the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
We strongly denounce the vicious attacks against the Mayor, particularly those accusing him of anti-Semitism. The close relationship between Mr. De Blasio and our community go back close to two decades, during which time we have come to know, respect and appreciate his understanding and sensitivity to the unique needs of our community. We consider him a dear friend and pray for his success.
At the directive of our Grand Rabbi, our schools, synagogues and organizations have diligently been following the government’s guidance and orders from its inception.
Regrettably, there seem to have been a handful of instances when guidelines had not been adhered to. Our position remains consistent. We do not condone any behavior that puts people at risk and pledge to keep working alongside the brave men and women of the NYPD in addressing and eliminating any such occurrences. We continue to urge all members of our community to strictly obey all government-issued regulations without exception, as they are designed to protect us and prevent as much illness and suffering as possible.
We appreciate our community to continue being treated fairly, with the same respect and courtesy afforded to others.
May the Almighty keep and protect the citizens of the great city of New York, as we work together to overcome this deadly virus.
Mayer Rispler
President
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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6 Responses
I wish the letter was a little stronger about the pikuach nefesh involved. The klausenberger rebbe and other gedolim spoke how we have to be even more careful about harming others as is written in Tosfes in Baba Kama daf 20.
This guy doesn’t get it. The outrage is not in response to the police braking up the crowd at a funeral. The outrage is against the mayor for the language he used to condemn an entire community in a public forum. That language was anti semitic and bigoted and we deserve an apology.
How about a tiny little bit of “even handedness”?
When you “strongly denounce the vicious attacks against the Mayor”, how about adding, “while at the same time we strongly denounce the singling out of the Jewish community” as those that spread the virus? How about also denouncing the portrayal of all Jews as unlawful and ungovernable miscreants? How about denouncing the Mayor for promoting antisemitism (intentionally or unintentionally – the outcome is the same) and fanning the hatemongers to erupt?
Is there no limit to grovelling and lack of “ge’on Yaakov” (Jewish Pride)? Sure, you get money from local governments, but what about the safety of the community from virulent racist and haters seeking for an excuse to attack Jews and their institutions and causes?
This letter is very misguided.
I wish the writes would borrow the script used by Goyim when they “denounce” terror attacks in Israel by using “even handed” words addressed to “both sides”.
The letter is shameful, “klapping al chet”, AND it is also minimizing the apology with excuses.
Did anyone happen to notice that the letter was written by the president of Satmar in Williamsburg?
Unfortunately, the Rebbe is operating in a “ghetto-mindset” where he thinks he needs to placate the mayor. The mayor was upset, and the following day ordered police to enter the synagogues (remember when the WTC bomber hid out in a mosque for weeks in Kensington, and the police didn’t enter to arrest him? But here police were entering sanctuaries to see if any underground minyanim were being held). Instead of addressing the Mayor’s double standard and his fanning flames of antisemitism, the Rebbe is trying to “work” with the politicians just as they have until now… Lay off the metziza b’peh concerns, lay off the valid lack of education concerns, and “We appreciate our community to continue being treated fairly.” (Yeah, whoever wrote the statement, whether the Rebbe or Mayer Rispler, obviously speak a broken English.)
Did anyone notice any women in those funeral photos? Putting Jewish community aside, why did the Mayor call out a whole community, when obviously it was only a slice of the community? What the Rebbe really needs to do, is ask for funding for screens for all the residents, so they can Zoom and stay home and not come out for live entertainment, minyan, and shiva and funerals — just like the rest of the world do. Unprecedented times calls for unprecedented measures.