Boulder Daily Camera

This editorial ran in the Boulder Daily Camera on December 25, 2007.

The Orthodox Jewish community celebrated this week when the Boulder City Council voted in favor of granting a lease to provide for the implementation of an eruv — a virtually unnoticeable, non-taxpayer funded symbolic boundary that will provide a greater quality of life for many who observe the laws of the Jewish Sabbath. But the celebration was tainted by comments from others in Boulder who have judged, mocked, and even demonized the proponents of the eruv.

At the City Council meeting, and on this newspaper’s Web site, some commentators have not limited themselves to the legitimate discussion of the eruv’s legal and procedural technicalities. Instead, they have made hurtful and biased comments mocking Orthodox Judaism, describing it as “weird,” “archaic,” and even “irrational, unreasonable, and delusional.”

Fundamental to religious freedom is acceptance — classifying people of a certain faith in marginalizing terms is counterproductive to that foundation and has an ironic sting at this season where goodwill toward each other is of particular prominence.

Beyond the mocking of the religion itself are the downright hateful things that have arisen out of the eruv discussion: myths of Jewish control of government, lies of Jewish desire to squelch debate, and ugly slurs.

The citizens of Boulder know better. This community will not fall prey to the historic myths of anti-Semitism that have circulated for centuries, causing so much ridicule, pain, and tragedy. This community, of which the Jewish community is a vital part, should be united against bigotry, against stereotypes, and against that which is hurtful and hateful. Angry, hostile, and anti-Semitic words hurt, but they are no match for the unity and acceptance in the voices and actions of our inclusive Boulder community.

Interestingly, eruv is a Hebrew word that means “to mix” or “to join together.” In the spirit of an eruv and all that is possible when we join together with our neighbors, we again proclaim that Boulder is no place for hate.

Amy M. Stein is the Anti-Defamation League’s Boulder Community Coordinator in the ADL Boulder Office. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.