JCRC TAKES A STAND ON CARTOON DEEMED ANTISEMITIC
Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) lent its collective voice to the national protest against The New York Times’ publication of a recent political cartoon; the caricature, which ran in The Times’ international edition April 25, was deemed by many as promoting antisemitic rhetoric. The Times issued an apology and removed the offensive image from its website hours after the attack at the Chabad of Poway on April 27.
Our JCRC joined 54 other JCRCs from around the country, 14 national agencies including the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the Jewish Federations of North America and 11 other organizations in sending a letter to The Times expressing outrage about the publication of the cartoon. The letter also asked what steps the newspaper would take to ensure such a printing would not happen again. In addition, the letter was followed by an in-person meeting May 7 with The Times’ publisher and Opinion section editor.
The primary objective of the letter and meeting was to address the cartoon issue; however, top officials from multiple national Jewish organizations used the opportunity to express their concern, as well as those shared by many in the Jewish community, about the perception that The Times’ frequently publishes negative editorial and news coverage of Israel and Jewish issues.
The Times agreed to a follow-up meeting to examine its coverage of Israel.
This is one of many ways JCRC advocates on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people in the Palm Beaches and across the country. The mission of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Jewish Community Relations Council is to ensure a vibrant Jewish future by convening, educating and mobilizing the Jewish community to promote a secure Jewish and democratic State of Israel; combat antisemitism, discrimination and bigotry; foster understanding within and beyond the Jewish community; and champion a just and pluralistic society.
