John Pasola, an Ocean County Fire Marshall, has apparently made several despicable anti-Semitic posts on Facebook in which he calls Lakewood’s Orthodox Jews ‘trash,’ ‘dirty ones,’ and ‘filth’ and wrote that Lakewood should be turned into a “hole in the ground.”
The comments by Pasola, posted in response to a notice about the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk, called for the National Guard to be used exclusively against Lakewood’s Jewish population. Pasola referred to Lakewood as a [expletive]-hole, and thoroughly demeaned and denigrated every Jewish resident of Lakewood, as well as the town’s volunteer emergency medical service organizations.
When reached for comment, the Lakewood Vaad expressed its shock and disappointment at the comments.
“The Lakewood Vaad calls for Pasola’s immediate dismissal,” a representative from the Vaad said.
Community leader Eli Tabak told TLS that Pasola’s comments are unacceptable.
“At a time when we are all trying to come together to fight a common enemy, it’s unconscionable that one would exploit this to create divides, lies, and hate,” Tabak said. “It clearly shows us where Mr. Pasola’s priorities lie.”
Pasola’s comments do not live in a vacuum – they are part of a larger, hate-filled conversation that has erupted with the spread of Covid-19; a conversation that anti-Semites have made sure to be the loudest voices in the room. In many online posts we have seen the slandering of Jews, calling them ‘inbred,’ a ‘cult,’ and ‘uncivilized,’ and calls for Jews to be placed in ghettos reminiscent of those in Europe when the Nazis were in power.
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thanks for reminding us who our enemies are. At least he’s honest about his prejudice. How many others share the same opinion but are ashamed to post it?
I work with many of our neighbors in local towns. i would think that perhaps 90% do not share hostile views to their Orthodox neighbors.
Most actually respect the Orthodox as people with beautiful family values, good citizenship, high rates of volunteerism and charity, and as honest sincere people. Even of those biased against Jews they do not hold deep resentments. This is not Ukraine or Russia in 1700.
There are bad apples in the US. Pasola is a bad apple.
We know the Freeholders will act to dismiss him -how can they keep a bigot like that in an official position?
Media is partly responsible, stirring up ethnic hatred sells papers and clicks. Kudos to TLS for keeping the spotlight on the bad apples.
For us Orthodox, let’s keep reaching out to our neighbors of all faiths and make sure that all are safe and have whatever they need in this time of national crisis.
So someone found fault in the fact that there is a mobile concert -with all social distancing laws being practiced- being driven around town on a trailer playing live music to help keep the peoples spirits up.
Please ask yourself these questions.
Is music and concerts only limited to elebrations?
Are we supposed to become depressed from this situation or help people get through it in the best way possible?
Does social distancing laws require us to be anti-social and apathetic?
Perhaps other communities can take this idea and instead of bashing our proactiveness, bring it into your community so we can spread joy and healing to all.
Firstly, they blanket statement when 1 or 2 individuals out of thousands do s/t, and secondly, I think Hashem wants us to fear so we can TURN TO HIM AND POUR OUR HEARTS OUT TO END ALL TZAROS WITH THE COMING OF THE GEULA SHELAIMA B’mihaira v’yameinu AMEN!!!
This guy needs to out of his job today. And considered for hate crimes. Shocking.
As despicable as this is….I don’t see where he calls for “Jews to be wiped out”
“This town needs to be a hole in the ground….” “the filth of ocean county”
“it’s time for the National Guard to be deployed to that ***** town and take action.”
He studied Hitler quite well.
Why would someone consumed by Hate want to serve the residents of Ocean County. If these allegations prove to be true this guy is a fool. All his years of serving the tax payers of ocean county will have gone to waste. I recommend your community rallies to have him investigated and see to his immediate termination from public service should he be culpable of this crime. Stay safe and healthy.
Why can’t we all get through these horrible times together. Why do we refer to others as “enemies”? Aren’t we all in the same boat?
I was am a registered nurse and worked in home health . Many of my patients were in the Jewish community in Lakewood! They were the kindest, nicest people I ever cared for. Their homes were not just clean they sparkeled! The comments I read from some of these people are discusting and down right dangerous! Its A stressful time for all of us! Please don’t start hating and singling out people for following their religion and way of life.
David ben Gurion had the similar problem in the 50’s. He knew how to deal with this type of behavior
This is heartbreaking to me. Why can’t people at least live & let live? There’s no place in a civilized society for this, and certainly it must be unacceptable & illegal for a person with prejudices like this disgusting person has to hold public office- both paid and volunteer! We do need to pull together & work towards a better understanding of our neighbors & better the atmosphere for our children & future.