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Saddened, Angered, and Bewildered

Unfortunately we are once again saddened, angered, and bewildered by an anti-Semitic incident that unfolded in our own community. Our faith traditions call us to speak out against these hurtful incidents that enflame the basest instincts of humankind.

Comments made by Eileen Banisch, the executive director of Madison's Chamber of Commerce, on the Facebook page of Joe LaPorta, candidate for State Senate, were absolutely unacceptable. The executive director claims that her words were not intended to be anti-Semitic. This may be true, but it is also true that they were anti-Semitic and I call on her to examine her behavior and not only apologize that her remarks were construed as anti-Semitic, but that she demonstrate an understanding that her words were indeed anti-Semitic.

I stand with State Senator Christine Cohen (D-12), not as partisan support, but as humanity dictates. Senator Cohen's family owns Cohen's Bagels and has been the victim of anti-Semitism on more than one occasion, not because of her faith or ethnicity, but because of her company's name and what they sell. I invite all people of goodwill to raise their voices and speak out against racism, anti-Semitism, and all forms of injustice when they see them. We could do no less.

Rabbi Stacy Offner

Temple Beth Tikvah

Madison