Manager at Powerhouse Arena in Brooklyn bars a liberal rabbi from participating in a talk between a Jewish author due to his Zionist beliefs.
In a recent incident that took place before 6 pm on a Tuesday evening, Joshua Leifer was headed to an event for his new book, “Tablets Shattered: The End of an American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life,” when he received a call from his publicist. The event was scheduled to feature a conversation between Leifer and Andy Bachman, the former head rabbi at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope, Brooklyn. However, the bookstore where the event was to take place, Powerhouse in Dumbo, raised objections about Rabbi Bachman being labeled as a “Zionist.”
Rabbi Bachman, who supports the idea of Jewish self-determination and a homeland, was deemed controversial by some due to his Zionist beliefs. The bookstore staff expressed concerns about delving into “uncomfortable territory” during the conversation. Despite efforts to reassure the bookstore that the discussion would stay true to the book’s themes, Powerhouse ultimately decided not to allow Rabbi Bachman to participate in the event.
Joshua Leifer, an anti-occupation Jew who supports a democratic Israel, was puzzled and frustrated by the sudden change in plans. The event was meant to be a dialogue between him and Rabbi Bachman, and the exclusion of the rabbi left many attendees disappointed as they were looking forward to hearing from him. Rabbi Bachman, a well-known figure in Brooklyn, had relocated to Maine the previous year but remained a beloved community leader.
The incident highlighted the complexities and sensitivities surrounding discussions about Zionism and Israel within the Jewish community. It also raised questions about freedom of expression and the limits of acceptable discourse in public forums. Despite the setback, Joshua Leifer remained committed to sharing his perspectives on Jewish life and the future of the community.
Source: The NY Times
