Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice asks group to end weekly picket outside synagogue
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Henry Herskovitz did receive a letter from the interfaith council asking his group to stop the demonstrations. He originally said he never received it.
An interfaith religious organization Thursday publicly asked a group of protesters to end its weekly demonstrations outside an Ann Arbor synagogue.
Henry Herskovitz, with sunglasses in the rear, along with others with the Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends, stands in front of Beth Israel Congregation in March 2007 to protest Israel's policies toward the Palestinians. The group has been gathering in front of the synagogue every Saturday for nine years.
Ann Arbor News file photo
While ICPJ over the years privately asked Henry Herskovitz, a founder of Jewish Witnesses for Peace, to stop the protest, this is the first time the group has made a public statement, Warpehoski said.
Herskovitz disagreed that the Saturday morning vigils are harassing. “There are laws against harassing in the state. We are not harassing,” he said.
But he also said Jewish Witnesses for Peace, which calls itself a Palestinian solidarity group, has no plans to stop the protests.
While Herskovitz initially said he did not receive the ICPJ letter asking him to curtail the protests, Friday morning he said he had found the letter, sent in early October, in a pile of mail. The protest, he said, “is to raise awareness of Israel’s crimes.” Herskovitz is a former member of the Beth Israel Congregation.
Until now, ICPJ, a 47-year-old nonprofit organization, has wanted to avoid “feeding the attention-seeking behavior of the protesters,” Warpehoski said. But there was a shift in attitude and the ICPJ Steering Committee wanted to show support to the congregation, he said. “It’s become clear that this is religious harassing and it is our duty to be allies with those who are being targeted. What they are doing is hurtful and counterproductive.”
Rabbi Robert Dobrusin said he and his congregation appreciate the ICPJ support. “It’s upsetting when people have to walk past signs that are accusatory and insulting,” he said. “It puts people in a completely different state of mind on the Sabbath.”
Still, the members of his 460-family congregation continue to come, he said. “Our place is still filled every Saturday. It’s not keeping people away.”
The low-key approach left the members of the synagogue feeling isolated, Warpehoski said. Jewish Witnesses for Peace has done more than just protest, he said.
“They have circulated writings claiming that Jewish religious observances turn Jewish boys and girls into monsters. It is abhorrent that someone would disseminate such blatantly anti-Semitic propaganda. The time has long come for the group to stop.”
Herskovitz said the protests began in 2003 after he was denied permission to speak to the congregations of local synagogues after he visited the Middle East.
The protest, which draws between five and 10 people each Saturday, is held as worshippers enter the synagogue. Protesters carry signs that read “Ethnic Supremacism: Wrong in Germany. Wrong in Israel,” “Israel is the Villain, Not the Victim,” “Stop Aid to Israel” and others.
Janet Miller is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Contact the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Robert Green
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
What a horrible community Ann Arbor is. To accept this blatant anti-Semitism is disgusting. I assume it would be ok to picket a mosque for their support of Islamists, which I would also find abhorrent, but this community would have to support, unless we add hypocrite to the mix.
HBA
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
I have just spent quite a bit of time reading through the many comments to the article and I am appalled by so much lack of knowledge and misinformation among many readers. Fortunately, we live in a society where free speech is an absolute right, a privilege not allowed in many countries throughout this world of ours. Unfortunately, this right all too often is abused by people such as those who picket outside Beth Israel Congregation. I have no idea as to their purpose nor as to what they hope to accomplish after all these years. I can state with authority, however, that when Rabbi Dobrusin (who does not "whine" by the way) was approached by Henry Herskovitz to address the Congregation and discussions ensued, Rabbi Dobrusin did agree to provide him with a forum on the condition that--as there are always are 2 sides to every story--there be a participant at that same forum to present the other side of the story. Herskovitz refused. End of story, beginning of picketing.
alma
Sun, Nov 11, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
Hate speech From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In law, hate speech is any speech, gesture or conduct, writing, or display which is forbidden because it may incite violence or prejudicial action against or by a protected individual or group, or because it disparages or intimidates a protected individual or group. The law may identify a protected individual or a protected group by disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, nationality, religion, race, sexual orientation, or other characteristic.
alma
Sun, Nov 11, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
On June 8, 2012 Herskovitz wrote in his blog "New Group Position: JWPF is Anti-Israel In a unanimous vote of street vigilers, Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends have officially declared ourselves to be anti-Israel. ... We recognize that Israel has no right to exist as a Jewish state, ..."
alma
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
On October 14, 2012 Herskovitz wrote in his blog "those of us raised on the horror story of Germans manufacturing bars of soap out of Jewish victims are startled to find out these stories false"
Gregory Fox
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
"Jewish Witness for Peace and Friends," the synagogue-picketing group, is part of Huron Valley Greens, the local Green Party.
Gregory Fox
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
According to the Green Party of Michigan website , Henry Herskovitz is listed as their Clearinghouse Coordinator. Aimee Smith, who is a regular picketer is listed as the Vice-Chair/SCC Whip.
Roadman
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 4:34 a.m.
This is absolutely false. The Huron Valley Greens are affiliated with the Michigan Green Party. In fact, Henry Herskovitz ran for office as a Republican precinct delegate this August from the Fifth Ward.
alma
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
Let it snow, let it snow...
victor lieberman
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
The picketers are guilty of three sins, which I list in order of increasing concern. First, as I have discovered in numerous conversations, they are totally ignorant of Mideastern history. They weave snippets of misinformation into a black-white morality play that has no connection to actual history. I write as a professor of Mideastern history at the U of M. Second, they are are guilty of crude ethnic stereotyping. They know nothing about what goes on in Beth Israel or the views of its 1500 individual members. They know only one things -- that Beth Israel is a Jewish congregation - and from that single fact they construct a political profile. Their actions are no more tolerable than standing outside an African-American church with signs attacking alleged black support for anti-social behavior, or standing outside a mosque with signs attacking Muslim support for terrorism. The truth of Beth Israel is this: as a religious institution, it never discusses politics and undertakes no fundraising on behalf of Israeli causes. People attend solely in order to say prayers, including prayers for the dead, and to celebrate family occasions. The picket desecrates those activities. Third, a large proportion of the picketers are deeply anti-Semitic. On May 20 a leader of the group told me, "I hate Jews." On June 9 he repeated, "I hate Jews," and added, "Whatever happened to them in World War Two they brought on themselves. They deserved everything they got." On August 11 another picketer informed me, "There was no such thing as the Holocaust. It was invented by the Jewish press." A published expose by a defector from the group revealed this same anti-Semitic orientation. This picket is an affront to Ann Arbor's reputation for civility. Would our community tolerate a nine-year picket by the Ku Klux Klan outside a black church? Victor Lieberman
ContreMilice
Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 7:13 p.m.
Roadman, The Arab-American News, published in Dearborn, a strong supporter of Henry Herskovitz and his sidekick Blaine Coleman, has published a number of antisemitic diatribes including caricatures of Jews with huge noses worthy of the Nazi press in the 1930s and 1940s. And, you fail to tell us that even the author of the Goldstone report repudiated its contents when confronted with how unbalanced it was.
Roadman
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 2:21 a.m.
@Victor: I do not know if what you relate is factually accurate. I do know that the mainstream Palestinian-American community in Metro Detroit is appreciative, aware and supportive of both Chuck and Henry. A recent article in the Arab-American News related a story about the flag in front of Henry's home. Both Chuck and Henry ran for office this August as Fifth Ward residents. Henry was one of the co-founders of Michigan Peaceworks. Last year I was at the Arab-American Festival in Dearborn when one Peace Team member there to separate the attendees from anti-Muslim chanters mentioned to me she also acted as a Peace Team member in Tulkarm, Israel and spoke of Henry favorably. Henry has exposed human rights violations committed by the IDF in the West Bank against Palestinians. As a Mideast history professor I am sure that you are aware of the findings of the Goldstone Commission Report, Amnesty International and even Israel's own Jewish civil rights groups such as Machsom Watch and B'tselem which are critical of the government of Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people. Please comment on those.
victor lieberman
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
Why have you not posted the following comment? It does not exceed length guidelines and is factual and civil: The picketers are guilty of three sins, which I list in order of increasing concern. First, as I have discovered in numerous conversations, they are totally ignorant of Mideastern history. They weave snippets of misinformation into a black-white morality play that has no connection to actual history. I write as a professor of Mideastern history at the U of M. Second, they are are guilty of crude ethnic stereotyping. They know nothing about what goes on in Beth Israel or the views of its 1500 individual members. They know only one things -- that Beth Israel is a Jewish congregation - and from that single fact they construct a political profile. Their actions are no more tolerable than standing outside an African-American church with signs attacking alleged black support for anti-social behavior, or standing outside a mosque with signs attacking Muslim support for terrorism. The truth of Beth Israel is this: as a religious institution, it never discusses politics and undertakes no fundraising on behalf of Israeli causes. People attend solely in order to say prayers, including prayers for the dead, and to celebrate family occasions. The picket desecrates those activities. Third, a large proportion of the picketers are deeply anti-Semitic. On May 20 a leader of the group told me, "I hate Jews." On June 9 he repeated, "I hate Jews," and added, "Whatever happened to them in World War Two they brought on themselves. They deserved everything they got." On August 11 another picketer informed me, "There was no such thing as the Holocaust. It was invented by the Jewish press." A published expose by a defector from the group revealed this same anti-Semitic orientation. This picket is an affront to Ann Arbor's reputation for civility. Would our community tolerate a nine-year picket by the Ku Klux Klan outside a black church? Victo
say it plain
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
"Vigiling" in one place only...one place that is *not* itself responsible for the situation you are hoping to change...makes no sense at all. It can *only* be about a vendetta. It is the exact opposite of becoming the change you'd like to see, and just looks like tight, fearful, clinging to animosity. If Temple Beth Israel were the Israeli Embassy or something, it might make sense to 'vigil' there. But obviously this is about one man's relentless desire to make 'a point'. Pointy points like that rarely do anything but prickle, within 'rights' as the makers may be. They're not even countable as brave acts of civil disobedience; but rather come off more like an angry neighbor standing every weekend as close as possible to the border of his property and sticking his tongue out at the person with whom he has a 'beef'. Childish at best and destructive of civility at worst. And doesn't help the situation in Israel a bit.
mark wenzel
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 4:22 a.m.
FROM JUDY BONNELL-WENZEL - Continued from prior post Holocaust survivors living in poverty in this country, presumably to shelter these survivors, don't get any of this military or financial aid. Many of these survivors live in poverty in a country presumably started to protect them. I love to hear about the social action that Judaism supports. I know that, if a Social Action group hears the truth about what is happening to the Bedouin and Palestinians driven from their lands and how much suffering that military aid is causing to them, that would bring the kind of aid that is helpful, not the kind of aid now being given that brings misery to the dispossessed and also, as we know, to the ones who are trying their hardest not to know what is happening. Having been in a situation as a child where I knew that the people I could not get to know (those who were segregated) were suffering from poverty and exclusion, I know very well that it destroys the souls of the excluders just as it destroys the bodies of the excluded. It is a matter of stopping both kinds of destruction. As Saul's sign said, Zionism destroys Judaism. I want the future to be the social action where Judaism or Jews stop this dispossession. Vigiling is where I can start.
demistify
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
I am not impressed with the crocodile tears for Holocaust survivors. How do you propose to help them? By bringing a new Holocaust to them?
mark wenzel
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 4:20 a.m.
FROM: JUDY BONNELL-WENZEL I was asked by my priest to vigil at my own church. I told my priest that I did vigil at my own church, because my priest called the police when my friend Henry attended a Religious Round Table at Genesis, which is St Clare and Temple Beth Emeth. Genesis is the means by which we share the building. I vigiled because Henry was barred from Genesis for a year. I was raised in the deep South during complete segregation. I started protesting in 1960. I hope to never stop vigiling. I have vigiled to end segregation, to end wars and to end the making of horrible weaponry. I hope to never stop vigiling because non-violence is how we are strong. Violence is very weak, and it points up how weak we can be. Humans have brains and we must use our brains to figure out how to end this horrible violence that we make here in our own country and export to many foreign countries. The most egregious example of this export of violence is our sending of the means for violence to a country that began with El Nakba in 1948. This 1948 country, called Israel, gets the highest military aid of any country to which our government sends weapons and money. In money, it is 3 billion a year, but that is the tip of the iceberg, because the U.S. government has promised to back up all debts of this country.
demistify
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
"a country that began with El Nakba in 1948" Nakba is what Arab extremist call the creation of the State of Israel which they refuse to accept. So you are stating that you want to see Israel wiped off the map. "non-violence is how we are strong" Very noble sentiment. Now, which is it? Do you espouse non-violence, or do you espouse wiping Israel off the map? Obviously, you cannot have both.
mohomed
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 10:46 p.m.
Zechariah 12.2 (Jerusalem and Judah are a cup of trembling) explains a lot in the world today. "Crazy" how the Word of God proves so true 2500 years later and how God's chosen people are the center of the worlds attention while having such a small population and such a small country which they just happened to get back in 1948 just like the Bible said would happen (Ezekiel 20:34). Also see Isaiah 11:11. Not to often a people are scattered around the world for 2000 years and then get their land back exactly were they were before and just like their God said it woukd happen. Ann Arbor is so blessed to have jews. It's a shame antisemitim is so rampant.
Angry Moderate
Sun, Nov 11, 2012 : 12:54 a.m.
What lacks class is declaring yourself "God's chosen people" as if you're better than everyone who doesn't buy into your mass delusions.
Jack
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 5:43 a.m.
Real classy, Angry Moderate.
mohomed
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 1:12 a.m.
I would say thankfully we live in a tolerant country where you can use freedom of speech for your beliefs because in the middle east in every country but israel you have a good chance of being killed for calling a certain "holy" book nutty and made up or make a youtube video calling out a "phophet". Amazing how the media buries their head in the sand on this issue.
mohomed
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 1:03 a.m.
So your saying mr angry that people don't vote based on religious beliefs as is their right given by their Creator in the year of our Lord 1776. Or is it any wonder "Christian" countries for the most part support the state of Israel and many Muslim and real secular countries don't support Israel as a State. What would Jesus do.. Is what half the country asks themselves and guess what "nutty" book they use for that.
Angry Moderate
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.
Thankfully, we live in a secular country where we don't base our decisions on your nutty made-up religious books.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.
golfer
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
this has been going on for years. same people with no outcome. i say let them freeze if it is cold. if you noticed no one has done any protesting with signs against the catholic church. no one has done anything against any of the other religions. so to me go ahead and make fools of yourself. i for one will not even bother thinking about it. good luck and i hope it is 2 below while you are outside. yes freedom of speech you can do what you want and i support it.
Basic Bob
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
What policies does the Catholic Church support that could possibly lead to nuclear war and the murder of millions of innocent people?
Gregory Fox
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
Point of fact. This group has been referred to in the letters as "Witness for Peace." The real Witness for Peace is a highly-regarded non-violent nationwide group whose mission is "to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing U.S. policies and corporate practices that contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean." Aside from the similar names, there is no relation between Witness for Peace and the group picketing Beth Israel.
LXIX
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.
The separation of church and state in this country allows for the freedom to protest including that against religious organizations and abortion clinics. The same is not true in the Middle East because the governments there are religious in nature. Bringing their foreign politics here to discuss and protest openly says something about this system. Bringing their religious wars here - or lobbying for our involvement in them overseas - is really un-american. The historic core of religious confrontation is usually one of economics. The native american experience with the "religious" pilgrim-turned-landowner/profiteer underscores a point of protest. The crack about religion being a drug for the masses originated from Karl Marx.
Widow Wadman
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
I would not want to be a member of that synagogue and have to walk past the protesters to get into the temple, because I think that would disturb my peace of mind when I'd want most to be at peace. That being said, I feel strongly that peaceful protests should be allowed. If there are threats of violence or assaults, then I think that the people responsible for such incidents should be prosecuted.... I am not terribly concerned that these protestors or worshipers will become violent. I did have an occasion in the 90's to live close to an abortion clinic. On certain days of the week, there would be protesters outside of the building. I figured that those were the days when abortions occurred. The protestors seemed peaceful, but I would not have wanted to have been a woman needing an abortion and have to face the protesters myself. One day, at another clinic run by the same physician (Dr. Barnett Slepian), the doctor was shot dead by someone from another state who was against abortion.... If I have a point I guess it is that these protesters outside of the synagogue have not been violent and that it would probably take someone with a screw loose or extreme convictions to cause a problem.
Jack
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 5:39 a.m.
And you're quite sure none of them qualify?
Miha
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.
Imagine going to services with your little children, time after time, having to explain to them "what are those people angry about?". Imagine these children growing up, getting their Bar/Bat Mitzvah and "those angry people" still there, still angry. We discussed freedom of speech, and peaceful protests....but to what end? Many of you go to your places of worship in peace and without weekly harassment, and YES, it is just that when they are right in your face with their signs, at the entrance. Explain that to my children how "it seems un-American" to let us pray in peace for peace, without nasty political views forced on us with signs that are insulting.
Miha
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
@angry moderate. I am sorry you are so angry, but your anger is misplaced. There are times for political discussions but not during religious practices. When I pray, I want to be at peace with God and have no desire to criticize people's decisions/ideas/choices, good or bad, near or far. There is a lot of suffering in this world, and your anger does not help. What a waste of time and energy..and life ... why not do something constructive? It is so much easier to tear down than build, to be negative rather than positive.
Jack
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 5:38 a.m.
@angry moderate. And that is the fault of this synagog?
Angry Moderate
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
At least you don't have to explain to your children why there are armed foreign occupiers everywhere they go, controlling their access to food, clean water, electricity, education, and transportation.
Tesla
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.
I am a staunch democrat who is into free speech, civil rights have been on many a protest line for unions and others and I am about as pro Palestine as you can get in this country. That being said. Leave these folks the hell alone man. Whats the problem. There are many other places you can spread your word if thats what you are trying to do and switch it up a little. Honestly. Take the old ladies over to Bloomfield Hills or Southfield for a few days. You'll probably get press from the local Detroit news agencies too, and isn't that the larger point? Or is there some vendetta you have against these people at this particular place of worship. Your cause is righteous in my opinion but your tactics suck.
Mick52
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
How much influence does this synagogue have on what is done in Israel? Protesting is nearly always a waste of time and accomplishes nothing. It is typically done by a minority of people (here just five to ten people) indicating that the majority does not agree. Can anyone who wastes their time doing this point out any accomplishments of nine years of this? Frankly I think it looks foolish if it has no effect. Like most protests.
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
The article gives the misleading impression that Herskovitz is demonstrating to actions or policies of the Israeli government. That is incorrect. Herskovitz advocates the complete elimination of the State of Israel and the expulsion of the Jews living there.
ContreMilice
Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:53 p.m.
Roadman, if Henry Herskovitz is in line with the Green Party, which, by the way, in its local iteration the Huron Valley Greens, has pushed environmental concerns to the bottom of its agenda and made the anti-Israel cause its main obsession, why did Mr. Herskovitz run for a Republican Party position in the Fifth Ward of Ann Arbor? Aren't the Republicans mostly a pro-Israel party? And, the only time Republicans were happy to see a Green candidate run was Ralph Nader so he could siphon away critical votes from Democrats like Al Gore in 2000.
Roadman
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
I disagree with that assertion. Henry has adopted the Green Party platform of "serious reconsideration" of a one-state solution from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River where both Jews and Arabs peacefully coexist. I am not aware of Chuck's exact personal position is, but he has demonstrated against the IDF invasion of Gaza during Operation Cast Lead. Chuck had also labeled the American Movement for Israel counter-demonstrators "unreasonable".
mark wenzel
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
From the Bima of Beth Israel, let Henry Herskovitz witness to his fellow Jews! What on earth is holding us back?
DBH
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.
Mr. Wenzel, see my reply to your previous comment. Why doesn't Mr. Herskovitz just record his observations/witnessing and make them available to whomever might want to read, see, or hear them?
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
"Herskovitz is a former member of the Beth Israel Congregation." I suggest the reporter verify this unlikely claim. Herskovitz has often boasted of his hostility to Judaism, as well as that of his father.
demistify
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 2:29 a.m.
Roadman, As you very well know, Henry does not want peace between Jews and Arabs. He wants to abolish Israel and chase all the Jews out, as he has stated explicitly in many Letters and blogs. That is the road to war, not to peace. Why do you believe that any one in the congregation would benefit from his harangue?
Roadman
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
@demistify: Henry has no legal right to speak in the synagogue. Michigan law will not interfere in matters of church administration and it is doubtful that the Michigan Legislature could enact any such statutes that would allow the courts to do so given the broad scope of the First Amendment. My point is only that Henry wanted to speak to the congregation about his experiences in the West Bank and Israel and the possibilities of peace among the two peoples in that region. Perhaps the synagogue administration should have let him.
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 9:37 p.m.
Roadman, You are a lawyer. Please explain to me why you believe that Henry Herskovitz is entitled to force his way into a house of worship during its services and harangue the congregation about his political agenda (regardless of what you think of that political agenda). The rabbi conducts the services and no one can barge into the services without his approval. Herskovitz is not a member and has often expressed his hostility to the religion, so his demand to take over is sheer arrogance.
Roadman
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
The vigils came about after Rabbi Dobrusin barred Henry from speakng to the congregation about his visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories.
kk
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.
For anyone interested, one way to help Palestinian refugees is by donating to UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), which runs over 700 schools and provides health care and support to the over 5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, and across the Middle East. http://www.unrwa.org/
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 9:06 p.m.
No, the first step would be to renounce violence. Then border discussion can begin.
northside
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
The best work for the Palestinians is to help them obtain political and economic freedom. The first step in doing that is to end the decades-long occupation.
leaguebus
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
Maybe Henry and his crew could picket other churches and ask for donations for this cause. Makes more sense than what he is doing.
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
Beth Israel Congregation is an American house of worship. The State of Israel is an independent democratic nation thousands of miles away. The logic of harassing the synagogue to express disapproval of Israel is crudely antisemitic. It follows the doctrine of the Protocols of Zion that all Jews are part of a worldwide conspiracy for which all Jews should be held accountable.
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:40 p.m.
I congratulate the ICPJ for figuring this out, even if it took so many years to get there.
mark wenzel
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
Why is it that Henry Herskovitz is not being allowed to address the Beth Israel Congregation from the bima? He simply wants to witness to what he saw and what he heard when he went to Palestine. Witnessing is crucial for the life and health of a moral community, is it not? And witnessing is never pleasant, it is never easy. Just for a moment, let's consider the moral value of the principle behind this witnessing.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
By your logic, I should be entitled to walk into a Catholic church on a Sunday morning and address the congregation on the evils of allowing priests anywhere near children. And that would be far closer to reality than what Herskovitz desires.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
On the other hand, why SHOULD he be allowed?...... Hey, can I come to your place and spout off?? Maybe after I have made a scene in front of it for the last 9 years? Seriously? Why would you even ask that?
Roadman
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
It is my understanding that this "vigil" arose over the fact that Henry Herskovitz was denied the opportunity to address the congregation to relate his views and observations on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories that he witnessed first hand. Per Henry, the vigil will end when the flag of the State of Israel is removed from the bima.
DBH
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.
If that's really the problem, then Mr. Herskovitz could detail in a written form of his choice (or record a video, if he would prefer) what he saw/witnessed and make its availability known in whatever way he chose for those who might want to read or hear it to access. He could, for example, record a YouTube video; or form a blog with the written recollections of his witnessing; or simply create a Word document which he could email to those requesting it. If he just wants to get his truth out there, it could be done without coercion, cheaply, and with far less effort and acrimony than has been experienced to date.
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
The claim that Herskovitz somehow has the right to hijack a religious service in order to expound his political message is outrageous. That would remain true even if he were a member of the congregation, which he is not.
Roadman
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:28 p.m.
I am acquainted with both Chuck Warpehoski and Henry Herskovitz. There has been a history of conflict between these two, however. I believe that both are very well versed in Middle East issues that impact upon Israel/Palestine. While I believe Henry and his group have a clear First Amendment right to picket the synagogue,the Ann Arbor Police Department recognize this right, and Rabbi Dobrusin and his synagogue's board of directors are free to challenge this asserted right in court, I believe that Henry's group's confrontational style is not the best approach, although both are respected in Detroit's Palestinian-American community. In April of 1989, The Jewish National Fund held a Tree of Life Award dinner in Ypsilanti which scores of demonstrators and counter-demonstrators appeared. The JNF the next year avoided this problem by holding their annual award dinner at a synagogue and the prior year's demonstration organizers, which included former Ypsi City Council member Eric Jackson, decided against picketing a house of worship. Henry's group has crossed this line. I have spoke to Chuck Warpehoski and tried to impress upon him that his City Council position can now be used to introduce resolutions promoting peace and justice in the Middle East region, particularly on the Israel/Palestine issue. It is my hope that Chuck and Henry can work together positively in the future.
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.
Roadman, The issue is not merely one of tactics (as you know), nor of how despicable behavior can be before it brings down the cops. Chuck Warpehoski advocates a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in accordance with his reading of "peace and justice", leading to a Jewish and an Arab state living in peace side by side. I disagree with Chuck on the details and as to what actions are helpful, but I agree with the goal. On the other hand, Henry advocates the Final Solution, wiping Israel off the map entirely and eliminating all its Jewish inhabitants. Chuck and Henry cannot "work together positively in the future" because what they work for is diametrically opposed.
Widow Wadman
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 9:12 p.m.
To Mr. Warpehoski, I truly hope that you do not waste the time of City Council to discuss politics in the Middle East. I really would prefer that City Council spend some time considering how to shift more money to the police and fire departments.
elganned
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.
I would say that the protestors 'target' is misplaced. Just because people are Jews doesn't make them responsible for what other Jews do on the other side of the world, anymore than all Catholics are responsible for Priests who molest children or all Muslims are responsible for beheadings in Mali. That having been said, I find nothing wrong with folks exercising their rights to free speech. It's unfortunate that they have chosen this target for their protest, but there it is. Freedom includes the freedom to be wrong.
ContreMilice
Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
If Americans Knew and its leader and founder Alison Weir are not just against Israel; they are downright antisemitic Support for the stalking of Beth Israel is right in line with giving credence to Alison Weir and her hatred of all things Jewish starting with her conspiracy theories about Jewish power and so-called "world dominance." See: http://archive.adl.org/israel/anti_israel/alison_weir/if-americans-knew.asp?m_flipmode=4 http://www.adl.org/12Home/search-results.html?cx=011346335056800985113%3Alqqt2atnvmk&ie=UTF-8&q=%22Alison+Weir%22&sa.x=10&sa.y=8 http://ifamericansknewalisonweir.com/ http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/ifamericans.html
cindy1
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
"Just because people are Jews doesn't make them responsible for what other Jews do on the other side of the world..." I believe much of the protestors' motivation is about US (and Beth Is. congregants') funding of what's happening 'on the other side of the world.' Israel is the largest recipient of American foreign aid. See IfAmericansKnew.org.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:55 p.m.
Bah - Sweep all "those people" together, right? This is yet another reason why this protest group gets no sympathy from me. Stereotyping, racist, true (not boogieman half-imagined) anti-antisemitism is not that common anymore, but by God, we have an example right here in the heart of Oz.
Roadman
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
I have wondered the same thing. I think that many in the Beth Israel congregation may agree with much of Henry may say in his criticisms of the Israeli government. I do not believe that most American Jews embrace the policies of the Likud or Avigdor Lieberman's right-wing extremist party that currently control the Israeli government.
Daniel Green
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
Sometimes (not all) of the protesters say very hateful things to both myself and my child. This is a matter of fact.
demistify
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 2:42 a.m.
Repeating those "hateful things" would violate the discussion guidelines.
northside
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
Could you provide some examples?
Roadman
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
@Daniel Green: Please give specific examples.
Ron Granger
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 4:03 p.m.
Free speech is often inconvenient. Reports say those people stand and quietly hold signs. To those who are outraged by that, where is your outrage when protestors year after year verbally abuse those seeking medical care at Planned Parenthood clinics?
Jack
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 5:24 a.m.
Do you really think people find that okay? Or do you think this is okay because you may happen to agree with it? At least at the clinic, the picketers are actually at the location that is the source of their complaints; that is not the case in this instance.
rusty shackelford
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
Having been raised in a congregation that was repeatedly broken into and harassed for being pro-gay, pro civil rights, and anti-Vietnam War, in a time when such things were still controversial (and a denomination specifically targeted for assassinations by Southern right wing terrorists as recently as 2008), I know all too well it's a small step from this kind of extreme rhetoric to violence. I'm not accusing any of these organizers of violence or violent motivations. But they should realize that the type of rhetoric they use, and their obsessive focus on one congregation is exactly the situation that can attract unstable individuals who might do something the organizers themselves would not condone. Marching in front of a house of worship weekly and associating them with "villians" is not responsible or ethical, even if it's legal. This is especially the case with minority religions historically ostracized and attacked. No, we shouldn't legally limit irresponsible speech, but those who engage in it have a moral obligation to realize it might lead others into immoral action. That, and the conflation of Jews in general with Israel or Israeli policy is reprehensible to both logic and morals.
Jack
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 5:21 a.m.
I think some of their leaders are already pretty unstable. The last I saw of them, several years ago, they were standing on the corner of Ann and Fourth with signs reading, "F*** Israel." Nice for small children to see. Think about it. Nine years of pure hatred? Looks like open season on Jews. And they are certainly doing more harm to their alleged cause than good, albeit I really think their cause is antisemitism, not pro Palestine.
rusty shackelford
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.
Don't delete my comment for using the accurate word "terrorist" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knoxville_Unitarian_Universalist_church_shooting
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
2003? Get over it. already. What else could this "group" have done with this time? Maybe set an example in the process? How about a H4H house? Maybe time at a food bank. OCD much?
brimble
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
Henry Herskovitz and his colleagues have every right to express their political opinion in this manner. That their stance is unpopular shouldn't cloud the nature of that right. That they choose a particular time and place designed to cause maximum exposure is smart calculation on their part. That the Congregation and the ICPJ have asked that they discontinue the protest is also perfectly reasonable. It would be interesting to see what would happen were there a forum in which representatives from the Congregation and the ICPJ were to sit at a table and break bread with Herskovitz and his group. Might it not result that everyone involved gains a little appreciation for one another, and that blind hatred could be turned, even a little, toward simple disagreement?
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
brimble, You have the comforting illusion that all the parties involved are rational people of good will like yourself and that all that is required is for them to sit down and reason together. If it were so, this would not be going on since 2003. "Breaking bread" with Henry Herskovitz makes about as much sense as "breaking bread" with Fred Phelps (who also harasses synagogues when he runs out of military funerals).
northside
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
Good suggestion but the two sides seem to have gone well past the point where 'breaking bread' is possible. This has become the grudge match to end all grudge matches.
leaguebus
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
The JWP has inventedr a cause the perfect way to marginalized their cause, spend 9 years picketing in the same spot at the same time. They have become part of the background and everyone that passes ignores them. If they wanted to raise awareness they would picket other places as well. It's obvious that Mr Herskovitz has a vendetta against this congregation but, in this country, he has a right to do what he does. It's sad to spend all that energy protesting while using tactics that marginalize the cause.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
Yes, and where does he find a few others to join him every week? Are these family members? (Just censored myself on who else would want to disturb Jewish worship on the sabbath. Good for me.) What kind of people would prefer to spend Saturday pacing around in front of a synagogue week after week after year after year? Are these mule people? They seem pretty stuck in place.
Top Cat
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
The message of these protesters is repugnant. Targeting a house of worship every week without letup is tasteless. However, asking them to cease the exercise of their 1st Amendment rights is out of line.
Chuck Warpehoski
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
I think it's perfectly all right to ask them to cease. It would be out of line to try to coerce them to cease. I agree with the ACLU take: the answer to offensive speech is more speech. This is a case of more speech, not an attempt to impose restrictions on their speech.
Linda Peck
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
It seems just totally wrong for a place of worship to be picketed, harassed, or however you want to call it on a Holy Day of worship in this normally civilized society such as Ann Arbor. Isn't there some other way for this group of people to get their point across?
bamboozled
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.
This has been going on for nine years and I'm only now being made aware of it. No political comment here, but perhaps this is not an effective way to foment the change they seek. ...if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao... John explained those words to mean that simply carrying a sign around is not taking action. In order to effect change, one must put forth a genuine effort.
Esther
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
It is finally time for the broader community to step up and speak up about this rude, unreasonable, irrational behavior of Witness for Peace Group. No one should be a "bystander" when they see unacceptable behavior and targeting this synagogue and its members has been wrong. There are political venues for expressing one's political views and they are not in front of a house of worship.
ContreMilice
Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:16 p.m.
A note on Northside's comment: "I'm pretty sure the group focused on this one [Beth Israel Congregation] because it is the most conservative. I don't mean most conservative in terms of religious beliefs, but in terms of 'my country right or wrong.'" This is a ridiculous and openly ignorant remark. What do you base this on, I wonder? Where is your evidence? What country are you talking about? Just as Mr. Herskovitz conflates Conservative, i.e., big _C_ (the _religious movement/arm/sect_ of Judaism to which Beth Israel belongs) with conservative (small _c_) politics, that's what Northside appears to be doing. As a movement, Conservative Judaism is fairly _moderate_ religiously. Support and longing for Israel is a Jewish tenet that is based on thousands of years of history, religion, and culture as this was the cradle of the religion. Politically, members of BIC hold a wide-ranging, diverse set of views on Israel and all other matters. Demistify's contention of the conspicuousness of BIC's location—as publicity and grandstanding are two obvious goals of the "Jewish" Witnesses for "Peace" and Friends—is well-founded. Herskovitz has a longstanding beef with Beth Israel in particular, and part of his hatred for them is based on the fact that Israel is part of the synagogue's _name_ (also the case for hundreds of other congregations the world over). That has nothing to do with _politics;_ it's based on the fact that Jews are also the _Children of Israel,_ a name that goes back thousands of years long before there was a modern Jewish State and back to when there were Jewish sovereign states in the Land of Israel (Palestine). Blanket statements on the views of all the members of a congregation are like all generalizations and stereotypes, ultimately misleading and—as in Northside's overreaching claim—highly inaccurate.
demistify
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.
northside, You are very ready to interpret a situation you know nothing about in the light of your prejudices. Yes, there are are politically active congregations. This is not one of them. As to your definition of "conservative", a substantial majority of the synagogue's members voted for Obama. None of this is relevant. Why did Herskovitz target this house of worship rather than another? You will have to ask him. I do not pretend to be able to understand his strange mental processes. Possible reasons: It is the largest Jewish congregation, so more people are harassed (and he does not have enough followers to do more than one). It is located on Washtenaw, convenient and conspicuous.
northside
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:06 p.m.
@ Billy Bob: There are several Jewish congregations in the area and I'm pretty sure the group focused on this one because it is the most conservative. I don't mean most conservative in terms of religious beliefs, but in terms of "my country right or wrong."
B. Black
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:32 p.m.
"The problem is that houses of worship are sometimes political venues themselves. " Yes, like Reverend Wright's church in Chicago. Think all those who find his politics morally offensive (and there are many) should show up on Sunday to try to shame and humiliate his congregation? "Think of all the fundamentalist churches that speak of voting for Obama like it is some great sin." Think of all the liberal churches that speak of voting for Obama as if it's a moral obligation. Oh, that's right, "fundamentalists" (i.e. religious people you don't like) aren't allowed their core moral convictions-- they must conform themselves to your superior moral insight, and if they don't, it's O.K. to harass them. How Ann Arbor of you.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
Theory or practice? Is there any evidence that this particular congregation supports illegal and immoral actions of the Israeli government in regard to the Palestinians? Are they leaders of the charge? Knowing Ann Arbor as I do, I doubt very much if the majority of this congregation even agrees with those Israeli actions, much less leads the fight for them. Face it: there is a simmering form of hatred in a picketing of a specific congregation over many years, ostensibly on the basis of actions of the Israeli government. Being Jewish is not the same as supporting every Israeli policy. Witness for Peace? Sounds more like Agitator for Humiliation.
northside
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
The problem is that houses of worship are sometimes political venues themselves. Think of all the fundamentalist churches that speak of voting for Obama like it is some great sin. I don't support this particular protest but the idea that a house of worship should be exempt is wrong. Religious groups are sometimes highly politicized.
northside
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
Religious groups should not be exempt from facing protest. Religion often supports unjust things, such as restriction of gay or reproductive rights. That having been said, this protest has little to do with Israel's illegal and immoral occupation and a lot to do with a grudge match. Worse, this group's often offensive tactics have severely weakened what used to be a decent Palestinian solidarity movement in Ann Arbor. What JWP does may not fit any legal definition of harassment but harassment it is. Kudos to ICPJ for speaking up against it.
cindy1
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.
This is likely a campaign debt being paid by Mr. Warpehoski.
Jack
Sat, Nov 10, 2012 : 2:01 a.m.
Northside: When and where has this synagog conducted similar protests? Have they demonstrated outside someone else's place of worship for years on end? Have they insulted other religions and told others that their children would grow up monsters? I think not! Your bias is showing.
northside
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
@ A20: You're right. I did not phrase my original post in a way that conveyed what I was really trying to say.
A20
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.
northside, perhaps you should have phrased it that way the first time. It certainly sounds in your post as if you are proclaiming what is just and what isn't.
northside
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
@ Black: My point is simply that religious groups are not just 'houses of worship,' but are often actively involved in politics. If they're going to be on the 'giving' end of political involvement and protest, they should also be open to the 'receiving' end.
B. Black
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
"Religion often supports unjust things, such as restriction of gay or reproductive rights." Religion often supports unjust things, such as abortion on demand and homosexuality. So if a group shows up outside Episcopalian and Unitarian Universalist churches and call their congregants baby killers and worse, you're O.K. with that. Oh wait, I forgot, only YOU get to decide what is and isn't just, and who can be harassed for the crime of disagreeing with you.
justcurious
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
Good post.
Lolly
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
I live just a few houses away from the site of the picketing and I see the demonstrators almost every week. They are quiet and orderly, just holding their signs so that Washtenaw passers-by can consider them. To me, it seems unamerican to try to make them stop expressing their opinion. If the signs are upsetting to people, perhaps they could examine why they can't tolerate the honest views of others.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:16 p.m.
How do you spell "obsession?"
Chuck Warpehoski
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.
ICPJ is not trying to coerce them to stop. Rather, we are expressing an opinion about the impact of their actions.
a2dan
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
After 9 years picketing in front of the same congregation, this protest seems to be specifically targeted. I can tolerate the "honest views of others," but I wonder when a group protesting international policy but focusing on a single temple in Ann Arbor crosses the line into bullying.
Chimay
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
I drive by it every Saturday morning and find it distracting. They stand so close to an already narrow street that I worry that I will hit them. Their picketing of that congregation hasn't changed a thing about the Israeli/Palestinian debate. Perhaps they should find a way to be more effective, like volunteering for an organization that is actively working in both places to find ways to bridge differences and end violence. Furthermore, their message is divisive and ultimately ineffective. I 100% support freedom of speech and don't believe they should be restricted. Let them stay out there, but frankly, they look like a bunch of kooks. As an avid supporter of the right to worship, or not to worship, as well ... if you aren't changing the dynamic, then let those people worship in peace.
Albert Howard
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 : noon
Issusing Public Statement: Thank you Chuck Warpehoski.