After reviewing the audio from the last Jackson Council meeting where the Township-wide eruv was proposed and eventually tabled, it appears that we overlooked a crucial, yet damning exchange between a resident and Councilman Barry Calogero with regards to Jews.
During the public comment period of the meeting, a Jackson resident made extremely disparaging remarks towards Jews, saying that a Township-wide eruv would invite people of an “isolated religion” and that is “not good business for Jackson.” He went on to urge the Councilmembers to “please do your research on this religion that we are welcoming.”
In responding to this resident, Mr. Calogero didn’t call out his bigotry, nor did he condemn the comments or state that he supports or respects the Jewish community. Colagero instead responded by thanking the resident for his “passion” and saying that he respects “everyone that came to the microphone today.”
How is it that Jackson officials, caught up in multiple lawsuits alleging that officials are discriminatory against Orthodox Jews, cannot even bring themselves to condemn anti-Semitic vitriol being spewed in a public government forum?
Putting the lawsuits aside, Mr. Calogero is not just a Jackson Councilman; he works for the federal government as well. Shouldn’t someone in such esteemed positions of power be sure to condemn hate?
The pattern of Jackson officials refusing to fight open anti-Semitism is shameful and a stain on all of Jackson.
Mr. Calogero: SHAME ON YOU! Stop supporting open anti-Semites and bigots. You would NEVER respond by thanking someone for their passion after they said not to welcome African Americans or other minorities into Jackson. You owe the Jewish community an apology for the outrageous and abhorrent approval you gave to that despicable, intolerant, throwback speaker. Jackson is allowed to welcome people who aren’t white. Stop acting like the KKK. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. You are in no position to sit on the USDA after THANKING AN OVERT BIGOT FOR HIS PASSION.
I think this guy is not so anti-semitic as much as he is feeling sidelined. His concerns arent fabricated only misinterpreted.
It Would be prudent for us as a community to reach out to these people and explain that although it is true that we do live a life of “isolation” and we dont wish to “co-mingle” that is in regards to culture, however we DO pledge allegiance to the USA, to the state and the cities we reside, we support and contribute to our communities, and WE (should!) RESPECT THEIR RIGHTS AND SENSITIVITIES!!!
We DO want to be good neighbors, respectful helpful and cooperative, culture differences notwithstanding.
What’s with all this white supremacy?? You go to these meetings and read the Facebook pages and it’s almost like the KKK and neo nazis have taken over this area. I’m not sure if I’m in pre civil rights south or if I’m in Germany in 1939. THE HATE MUST ME CONDEMNED! And no, the passion of the haters should not be thanked. I’m just sorry this is beyond Normal
Pathetic..Calogero should be fired
#1 your in golus!!!! i know its hard to know with the houses going up you’d think ppl plan to be here forever but you are in golus
#2 maybe its a message that what has gone on in Lakewood with erivun needs desperately tikun (fixing )before new cities build new ones?maybe?!
Mr. Galus, you are indeed correct that we must remember we are in galus. Yet that does not warrant the hatred. So while your comments may be appropriate as a mussar schmooze, They are wrong as a response to an outrage. The Mitzriyim were held accountable even though Hashem willed it.
My point is, you invalidate your message by not validating the reality that there is injustice here.
2. about the eruvs, we can all wax Nevi’ic about why this and that happens, but you are leveling what i believe to be an unfounded accusation. Furthermore, whatever you claim happened, how does a new community bare that responsibility? Again you fervor is detracting from the legitimacy of your points.
Apologize Mr Calogero
It’s not the issue of the Eruv – there has always been MANY neighborhoods with Orthodox Jews that have an Eruv
The issue is the extreme overdevelopment of suburbia in the area
If the issue is the extreme overdevelopment, which I agree is huge issue, why not condemn the overdevelopment and pass laws against it? Why the need to condemn and disparage a religion???
The issue isnt just over development. Its also a culture clash, one which makes our neighbors feel uncomfortable. If we can communicate our position that is , yes we have a different culture and standard, but that doesnt mean we dont value and respect this wonderful country and the rights of every individual. Nor mitigate our desire to be supportive and upstanding citizens, it would B”eH go a long way.