Responding to the hateful comments made at the contentious Jackson Township Council meeting earlier this month, New Jersey Republican state Chairman Bob Hugin has released a statement calling for “mutual respect.”
“The events at the special meeting in Jackson Township last week should have everyone concerned. Change may not be easy to deal with at times, but never does it warrant or excuse blatant antisemitism,” Hugin said in his statement.
During the five hour meeting, numerous residents took to the podium to note their opposition to the new ordinances, with some using hateful and antisemitic rhetoric, with one resident specifically calling out Councilman Mordechai Burnstein, who is also the first Orthodox Jewish Councilmember to serve in Jackson.
“Mr. Burnstein, with all due respect, you have one agenda here and it’s not for the people of Jackson. It’s for your people of Jackson,” the resident said.
“No individual, especially a duly appointed member of Council, should be attacked or silenced based on his religion,” Hugin continued. Only with mutual respect for all people can the community responsibly and safely chart a successful path forward,” he added.
Ms. Bradley should resign and Mordy should become Mayor!!
What a dumb statement to make.
I could imagine this brilliant resident saying to a black NYC council member, elected from the South Bronx, “you have one agenda here, and it’s not for the people of NYC. It’s for your people of NYC ”
Dimwit. Who is NYC? The people who elected that council member.
Who is Jackson? They people who elected Mr. Burnstein.
People are elected to serve their constituents!
Duh!
But logic is clearly not this resident’s strength…
Who is Jackson? The people who elected that
America is a big country. Why live where we’re not wanted?
I’m not talking about laws or rights. I’m talking about peace of mind. Not having neighbors that hate you. Not exposing your children to verbal abuse when walking to Shul or playing outside.
I grew up OOT in what was then a small Frum community (only 1 other Frum family on the block). But almost all our neighbors were Non-Frum Jews so of course there was no Antisemitism. As more Non-Frum moved farther out (to mainly farmland converted to housing) these houses were filled by Frum (my entire block is now Frum). But it’s always been a history of the Frum & Non-Frum living in one area without taking over other people’s neighborhoods. We didn’t move into the Black neighborhoods or the White neighborhoods that have traditionally been “Off limits” to Jews.
The beauty of all Jews concentrated in one distinct area is if a Non-Jew wants to move in that’s fine as they understand this area is “Jewtown” run by the Jews & for the Jews. Simply put, Antisemites don’t move into “Jewtown ” cuz the other 90% of the city has no active Jewish life.
It’s an interesting topic & while it’s very un-PC to say, segregation kind of works here & keeps the the peace because everybody knows their place.
does anybody know anything that Mr. Burnstein has done that is not good for the entire Jackson? I think his record can dispel any concerns.
Just responding to Gimpel.
Please don’t call the statement of another person dumb, especially when your next point is inaccurate. Mr. Burnstein was appointed to the council. He was not elected.
Gimpel’s point is still correct. For example, a Hispanic member of a township’s council would be expected to represent the interests of his community on the council. Everyone would be okay with that.