‘Jesus,’ ‘Jeffrey Epstein’ and more sign on to ‘Jewish Harper’s Letter’
Courtesy of twitter
By PJ Grisar May 6, 2021
Anyone who’s anyone, living or dead, vile criminal or ancient sage, can add their name to the “Jewish Harper’s Letter” — and they are.
The initial letter from the newly-minted Jewish Institute for Liberal Values, which slammed “suppression of dissent” among Jews, was unveiled with such notable signatories as Bari Weiss, Bret Stephens and Rabbi David Wolpe. The missive, which at press time drew signatures from over 300 Jews the world over, but was mocked by many for arguing that Jews aren’t complicit in white supremacy and that “Jewish privilege” isn’t a thing, now boasts representation from several different centuries, continents and realms of existence. (Most appear to have been removed — but the internet is forever.)
Yeshua Ben Yosef from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, (Jesus we presume) threw in his support. So did Shabati Tzvi, the heretical — and very deceased — kabbalist from 17th century Smyrna, thus giving the letter the imprimatur of not one, but two purported messiahs!
Courtesy of Twitter
Courtesy of twitter
Jeffrey Epstein from West Palm Beach, Florida, who listed his affiliation as J. Epstein & Company, lent his name and so did one Jared Fogle from Indianapolis, Indiana. (Yikes.)
Courtesy of twitter
Chaim Rumkowski, the infamous head of Łódź Ghetto judenrat, who pled with Jews to “give me your children” for deportation to Chelmno, was also on the list at one point.
These names seem to come from critics poking fun at the letter, supported by some who view it as adding necessary nuance in the dialogue around race and decried by others as racist. Perhaps the most pointed fake signature surrounding the latter perspective is Judah P. Benjamin from New Orleans, Louisiana — obviously a reference to the Jewish secretary of state for the Confederacy.
Courtesy of twitter
Alas, Benjamin’s name came down faster than his monument.
A message from our editor-in-chief Jodi Rudoren
We're building on 127 years of independent journalism to help you develop deeper connections to what it means to be Jewish today.
With so much at stake for the Jewish people right now — war, rising antisemitism, a high-stakes U.S. presidential election — American Jews depend on the Forward's perspective, integrity and courage.
— Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief
