An OTBKB reader had this report about Saturday morning's protest by the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) at Congregation Beth Elohim.
the corner of Garfield and 8th Avenue. They held up numerous signs and sang
ridiculous anti-semitic songs; one of which was even set to the tune of
a John Lennon classic.
"The whole "event" was peaceful enough and
actually rather un-eventful. Maybe 200 or so counter-protesters stood
across the street in front of the synagogue shouting random things and
chanting, etc.
"Frankly, I'm glad Park Slope didn't react to these morons
in a grand manner as that would have been giving them too much credit
and undeserved attention.
"I must commend Beth Elohim Rabbi Andy
Bachman, who handled the situation gracefully and beautifully, by
having the counter-protesters turn their backs on the WBC crew and join
him in celebrating the Jewish new year as he repeatedly blew the
shofar.
"He also put forth messages about inclusion and even managed to
poke fun at the "small group of visitors" from Kansas, who he added
"give the Midwest a bad name." Bachman apparently is from Wisconsin."
Kudos to Rabbi Bachman. The nice part is that you don’t have to forgive Westboro Baptist. Let them explain themselves to G-D ( spelled to avoid annoying more orthodox Jewish sensibilities ) and to my boss, His Son The Rabbi. As a Christian of Jewish descent and heritage ( no I am NOT trying to convert anyone, I find that totally obnoxious ) I would point out to Shelly, that, like Nachman of Breslov, the world being a narrow bridge, the important thing is not to be afraid. Using a camera is not work unless you are a professional photojournalist; it is a sabbath activity memorializing family occasions. ( Ask any Rabbi worth her or his salt….. they will have a halachic workaround for you. )
Shelly–I figured the Shofar was called for to chase away hate. It’s not a regular Shabbat ritual but this was no regular Shabbat!
Shelly, CBE is Reform. For them it is perfectly acceptable.
He blew the shofar? On Saturday? What kind of rabbi is he? And the picture of the guy with a kippah using a camera – on Saturday? It’s SHABBOS!!!!