Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to The Jewish Link in addition to the Jackson Township and Toms River town councils.
It has come to our attention that members of your community have taken it upon themselves to appropriate Holocaust imagery and photos of Jewish residents (including children) in social media blasting actions by Jewish individuals within your municipality [Jackson Township and Toms River].
As elected officials with experience drafting zoning rules and presiding on planning boards, we understand the issues municipalities such as yours face.
We also understand, after our experience in Bergen County last year, what happens when leaders succumb to the anger and fear of the mob. We are heartened to see that you have a resolution on your agenda, “Opposing the Activity of ‘Rise Up Ocean County.’”
We wanted to reach out to you before a situation like those we experienced in Mahwah or Upper Saddle River potentially repeats itself. If there is anything we can do to help you combat this hateful rhetoric, we would be happy to do so.
We look forward to hearing from you regarding any steps being taken to ameliorate the anger and fear gripping some residents, which is now being exhibited online. We would hate to see it get a foothold.
Sincerely,
Keith Kaplan, Councilman, TeaneckMark Schwartz, Deputy Mayor, Teaneck
Cheryl Rosenberg, Councilwoman, Englewood
Lisa Wisotsky, Planning Board, Englewood