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OU Comments on Rep. Schakowsky’s Remarks at J Street Conference And Subsequent Apology


oulToday, Nathan Diament – executive director for public policy of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, issued the following statement with regard to remarks made by U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky at this week’s J Street conference:

“Bias and prejudice have no place in our American political discourse. Many in the Orthodox Jewish community were troubled to see that U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky made remarks to the J Street conference which, at least implicitly, used the term ‘Orthodox’ Jew in a pejorative manner. In describing her 2010 election opponent to the liberal J Street audience, Representative Schakowsky described him as a ‘Jewish, Orthodox, Tea Party Republican.’

“In the context of her remarks and speaking to such an audience, the Congresswoman’s use of the term “Orthodox” was a negative term – as negative for that audience as Tea Party and Republican.

“This morning, upon learning about her remarks, we spoke with Rep. Schakowsky and conveyed how offended we were by the apparent intent of her remarks.

“We appreciate the unequivocal apology issued by Representative Schakowsky in response to our concerns. We hope such an incident will not occur again.

“American Orthodox Jews are a diverse community in the United States and hold many views on policy issues.

“We are grateful to be citizens of a nation that provides us, and people of all faith communities, with such great freedom of religion and political conscience.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)



3 Responses

  1. There would have been a speedy “retirement to spend more time with my family” had this insipid woman used the ‘N’ word in place of Jewish Orthodox.

  2. This special woman has about 60-80% of Chicago’s frum population in her district. She only came close to being ousted in 2010 most of the frum voted for her opponent. Was not enough as she also has the extremely liberal North Shore/Lakefront population also in her district.

  3. A wise man once said you are the master of your words until they leave your lips. Apology my ieyr she new what she was saying

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