This summer I had the unique opportunity to work in the Ben & Jerry’s store in Englewood. A chance to work somewhere unlike any other place I had ever worked or probably ever will work again. A fun summer job.

It was an interesting experience on many levels. I was the first Jew that most of my coworkers had ever interacted with in any significant way. We had lots of discussions about why I wear a skirt to work every day and why I couldn’t work on Friday nights or Saturdays. I worked hard to give them a good impression of Judaism. I recognized that I had a real opportunity to make a kiddush Hashem and to leave my coworkers with positive feelings towards any Jew they would meet in the future. I feel that I have been successful.

This past week could have ruined that.

Due to Ben & Jerry’s new policy enforcing BDS by ending the sale of their ice cream in Judea and Samaria, I quit this week. It wasn’t a hard decision as my values no longer aligned with those of the corporation whose shirt I was wearing. I could no longer justify putting on the uniform and showing up to work. However, I decided to finish the week so as not to leave my coworkers and manager high and dry and so that I could demonstrate the Jewish value of treating others with respect by not abandoning my shifts.

I am so glad that I made this decision.

This week I had many meaningful and impactful conversations with my coworkers about Israel, antisemitism and BDS. They were impressed by my conviction and the fact that I had quit out of principle. I made solid headway in these conversations and felt like they really made an impact.

However, I was working against my community. This week has been really difficult to work at Ben & Jerry’s. We have received call after call of customers stating that they were taking their business elsewhere. I have no qualms with these people and I respect their decision.

My issue is with the Jews in our community who took it a step further. There were threats of a protest in front of the store. Our mezuzah was stolen. I received a prank call on the store phone where they said, “Hi, I’m interested in catering for a Nazi antisemitism party. What is your most appropriate flavor for the occasion?”

None of these actions are in any way acceptable.

Your problem is with the corporate board of Ben & Jerry’s. Not with the owners of the Ben & Jerry’s store in Englewood. Not with the Jewish manager of Ben & Jerry’s. And certainly not with my friends, the minimum-wage ice cream scoopers in the store. Harassing them is not in any way OK and is a huge chilul Hashem. Don’t let them lose the appreciation of Judaism that they gained this summer.

I don’t want to leave my coworkers with the sense that Judaism is anything less than the beautiful, amazing and inspiring religion that I find it to be. I am calling on the Jewish community to please stop harassing the employees.

Rather than spending your time and effort making a huge chilul Hashem by arguing this issue with the ice cream scoopers who had no say in this decision, I urge you to take meaningful action and discuss this with the people who made the decision. Instead of calling a specific store, please consider reaching out to the Vermont corporate office. They can be reached at (802) 846-1500.

You have the ability to enact change, but I urge you to do it in the right way so as not to turn this into a reason for people to hate Jews.