Clarification to the Opinion Column in the Dominion Post on 25 February
Tuesday, 25 February 2020
In an opinion piece published in the Dominion Post on 25 February the authors, Fred Albert and Marilyn Garson expressed their contentious views on the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism (https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/working-definition-antisemitism).
In their column, the authors chose to self-describe themselves as “members and service leaders” at Wellington’s Progressive Synagogue without offering any further disclaimer. In doing so their views are in effect being ascribed to be those of the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation (Temple Sinai) and its members.
This effective misrepresentation is damaging to the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation and is disregarding of its members.
As Board Chair, I want to distance the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation from the views expressed by the authors in their column. Their views are in no way representative of those of the Board or the congregation, they are rather the views of a vocal fringe.
Furthermore, I want to assert that the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation is not anti- or non-Zionist. It is an affiliate of the Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ), a Zionist organisation and support and love for Israel is at the heart of Progressive Judaism.
I trust this will help to correct misconceptions arising from this newspaper column.
Matthew Smith
Board of Management Chair
Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation (Temple Sinai)
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