ALPS' Hateful Anti-Orthodox Campaign Condemned by Political Leadership

This week's Jewish Star is a must read. It includes statements from three prominent (and popular) political leaders -- State Senator Dean Skelos, County Executive Thomas Suozzi and Town Supervisor Kate Murray -- condemning the hateful campaign being waged by ALPS (Advocates for Lawrence Public Schools) in support of Greenbaum, Cancelliere and Levey.

Skelos:

The ads referring to the religious beliefs of candidates Nahum Marcus and Solomon Blisko were “inappropriate,” said state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) in an interview. In his opinion, they crossed a line. When asked, he said, “No, I would not vote for somebody that did that.” Marcus and Blisko are running on a ticket with David Sussman, who is not Orthodox and currently has children attending Lawrence public schools. “My feeling is that when you run for office, whether it’s the president of the United States, state Senate or school board, it should be about issues — certainly, there’s no place in elections to bring up religion,” Skelos said. He continued, “It should always be about kids and how are we going to best educate our kids? How are we going to control property taxes, which are just choking people? That’s what it should be about — kids’ education and their future — and not a person’s religious beliefs.”

Suozzi:

I am disturbed that the public debate regarding the school board elections in the Lawrence School District has included broad, inflammatory references to “Orthodox Jews.” I am proud of Nassau County’s ethnic diversity and spirit of tolerance. I recognize the differing views of our citizens and I encourage them to participate in community affairs for the betterment of all. In the political arena one would expect the candidates to present a candid presentation of their views and to defend those positions. A campaign is a marketplace of ideas. It is not, however a forum to be used to denigrate an individual or group based upon race, religion, gender, or ethnicity.

There are important issues to grapple with in the school board election taking place in Lawrence. Containment of school tax costs, improvement of student performance and capital repairs to buildings are the issues that should be the focus of the debate. Every resident of the district has a fair and equal right to participate in the process at all levels. No one is disqualified from participation in the American dream because of their level of religious observance.

I would encourage all those seeking office to set an appropriate example as the campaign reaches its conclusion and speak only to the issues.

Kate Murray:

It is my belief that divisiveness is never in the best interests of education. The introduction of dialogue that divides communities does not serve the students of any school system.

Pam Greenbaum's reaction to the furor surrounding the ads: "They’re playing the religion card." In a world where you can bully your critics with frivolous lawsuits yet manage to portray them as bullies, accusing the Orthodox of "playing the religion card" is a piece of cake.

Next week: Pam Greenbaum explains how Mel Gibson is a victim of religious hatred and intolerance.