As an Orthodox Jewish resident of Jackson, I was pleased that the Jackson Township Council passed two ordinances to settle the lawsuits brought against it over the township’s previous discrimination targeting people like myself.
However, every member sitting on the Council dais last Tuesday have failed miserably at addressing the stunning antisemitism coming from Jackson residents who spoke at the meeting. They barely spoke up against the comments at the meeting, and they have failed to issue any statement about it since then.
Most disturbingly, the Council has not said a word specifically about the comments by Thomas Bradley accusing Jews of “cultural genocide.” Mr. Bradley is not only a history teacher in Jackson Liberty High School – I worry what sort of “education” he’s imparting to his students – but he is also the husband of Lynne Bradley, the chairwoman of the Jackson Zoning Board.
Despite these two ordinances having been passed, applications for shuls, schools, and other religious structures will still have to go through the regular planning and zoning board approvals. How could the wife of a man who openly spews antisemitism be trusted to fairly hear and rule on applications from Orthodox Jews – the very ones her husband just accused of cultural genocide?
This is an obvious question that has to be asked, but for some reason, the Jackson Township Council has not brought it up, at least publicly, as they absolutely should, and must do if they truly want Orthodox Jews to be allowed to live in the township without fear of intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and bias.
Speak up, Jackson Council, because we’re waiting to hear from you.
An Orthodox Jewish Resident of Jackson
don’t hold your breath
Another “anonymous” post. 🙄🙄🙄🙄