Joint statement of

 The Rockland County Board of Rabbis

and The Jewish Federation of Rockland County

The Rockland County Board of Rabbis and the Jewish Federation of Rockland County condemn the insensitive and offensive "hanging of Haman" practice on display during Purim. There is no requirement in Jewish law for this activity. We fully recognize, as do the overwhelming majority of the members of the Jewish community, the powerful and hate-filled memories that such images evoke in modern America. We call on all members of the Jewish and broader Rockland Community to behave in accordance with the golden rule, "Do not do to others what is hateful to you." It is only from this principle that a society that respects differences and celebrates diversity can be built. We look forward to continuing to work with all groups in our diverse society with the goal of building, as America’s founders wrote, "A more perfect Union" and "to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."

Rabbi Craig Scheff, Chair, Rockland County Board of Rabbis

Steve Gold, Chair, Jewish Federation Community Relations Council

Andrea Weinberger, President, Jewish Federation of Rockland County

Gary Siepser, CEO, Jewish Federation of Rockland County