TBL- We are in touch with the editors of NJ 101.5, Shore News and APP and they appear willing to remove their articles with a clarification based on new information that we've come to learn.
Article-The previous post regarding the petition has been removed as portions of it were in error and require clarification. We've pulled the article from our site and we've asked others to do the same as there was some confusion and the resulting online discussion that ensued was based on these misunderstandings.
We had obtained the pictures of the 1,200 signatures and the letter with a write up against the shopping center. We assumed that they were one and the same and posted them together believing that the petition and the write up went hand in hand. We then heard from multiple sources that that was not the case so we pulled the article while clarifying.
We have now spoken with the organizer of the petition who clarified to us that the petition had 2 simple lines on it - as written on the text of the petition page - it reads (in a mixture of hebrew and english) : 'We are requesting from Cedarbridge Corporation to withdraw from their involvement in making a shopping center in our town'.
The intention of the organizers of the petition related to the fact that the Yeshiva (BMG) was founded upon and espouses certain values. Those values include living a life of austerity and shunning materialism in the pursuit of living a life dedicated to the service of God. Many in the yeshiva community choose not to eat out in restaurants (yes even kosher ones) choose not to indulge in nice cars or name brand clothing and instead dedicate their time and efforts in the service of God. Most do not have a TV in their home and many do not have internet. Some don't even own a cell phone. They are entitled to choose to live their lives in that way the same way America allows individuals to choose how to live their lives. While they would not tell others how to live their lives and indeed many many people in Lakewood do live a more luxurious lifestyle with nice houses, cars and nice strip malls, they felt that it was unbecoming of BMG to tarnish it's name by suddenly changing gears and promoting materialism since in this case, BMG/Cedarbridge was the applicant and developer. If a private developer were to apply for a mall that they would not object. The reality is that private developers have been building stores all over Lakewood and the BMG students have not objected to that. Their concern related to what they felt was a weakening of the yeshiva's values and a lack of practicing what they preach in regard to materialism.
Separate from that petition and it's 1,200 signatures and 2 line slogan, someone typed up bullet points and a letter raising points of objection to the shopping center.
What is crucial to point out is that the 1,200 signatures were not signing on that letter - they were signing on a 2 line slogan based on the reasons I presented above. Therefore, drawing any conclusions that the 1,200 signatures agreed to the lengthier letter was simply an error.
Furthermore, the intent of the letter which was written by an individual, was not to say that non Jewish stores should not be allowed in Lakewood. When BMG was initially accused of promoting materialism through a shopping center that would be built in the middle of a predominantly jewish area, some of the concerns related to the fact that there would surely be tenants who served non kosher food, draw traffic to the area on Sabbath when most stores in the area are generally closed, and possibly have stores like Victoria Secret etc which would display pictures of scantily clad women that would generally not be preferred by the ultra orthodox. Again, the primary objection related to the fact that BMG was the developer. It would be analogous to a Catholic Church building an abortion clinic.
BMG responded that they understand the neighborhoods concerns and they pledged to have a restriction that any stores that lease must be closed on Sabbath. They are a private developer and are allowed to place any such reasonable restriction that they want on tenants. They could say that all stores must close at 9:00. This restriction was to pacify area residents that they will not be attracting traffic on Sabbath.
The writers of this letter were going on to say that they still object to the shopping center. Again, the primary issue is that BMG is building a shopping center at all. Also, the letter went on to disagree with the BMG response by saying that it was insufficient. There could still be non kosher stores and Victoria Secrets etc. Again - they would not have objected if the developer was anyone other than BMG who they felt should adhere to standards in line with the lifestyle that they encourage.
No one in Lakewood is trying to deny business opportunities for gentiles. Some websites alleged that this is an attempt to prevent non jews from owning businesses. Others questioned why the petition doesn't mention traffic. This shopping center was already highly contested by many due to the traffic. Many had already been objecting from the traffic stand point for several months.The shopping center had already been redrawn with considerable changes after an outcry regarding the traffic. It was pegged to be a very large shopping center in the middle of a residential neighborhood with questionable zoning.
The reiterate, the objection was not to having stores in Lakewood and certainly not to having stores owned by gentiles, this petition was simply adding an element related to the spiritual dichotomy of BMG engaging in the pursuit of materialism.
Article-The previous post regarding the petition has been removed as portions of it were in error and require clarification. We've pulled the article from our site and we've asked others to do the same as there was some confusion and the resulting online discussion that ensued was based on these misunderstandings.
We had obtained the pictures of the 1,200 signatures and the letter with a write up against the shopping center. We assumed that they were one and the same and posted them together believing that the petition and the write up went hand in hand. We then heard from multiple sources that that was not the case so we pulled the article while clarifying.
We have now spoken with the organizer of the petition who clarified to us that the petition had 2 simple lines on it - as written on the text of the petition page - it reads (in a mixture of hebrew and english) : 'We are requesting from Cedarbridge Corporation to withdraw from their involvement in making a shopping center in our town'.
The intention of the organizers of the petition related to the fact that the Yeshiva (BMG) was founded upon and espouses certain values. Those values include living a life of austerity and shunning materialism in the pursuit of living a life dedicated to the service of God. Many in the yeshiva community choose not to eat out in restaurants (yes even kosher ones) choose not to indulge in nice cars or name brand clothing and instead dedicate their time and efforts in the service of God. Most do not have a TV in their home and many do not have internet. Some don't even own a cell phone. They are entitled to choose to live their lives in that way the same way America allows individuals to choose how to live their lives. While they would not tell others how to live their lives and indeed many many people in Lakewood do live a more luxurious lifestyle with nice houses, cars and nice strip malls, they felt that it was unbecoming of BMG to tarnish it's name by suddenly changing gears and promoting materialism since in this case, BMG/Cedarbridge was the applicant and developer. If a private developer were to apply for a mall that they would not object. The reality is that private developers have been building stores all over Lakewood and the BMG students have not objected to that. Their concern related to what they felt was a weakening of the yeshiva's values and a lack of practicing what they preach in regard to materialism.
Separate from that petition and it's 1,200 signatures and 2 line slogan, someone typed up bullet points and a letter raising points of objection to the shopping center.
What is crucial to point out is that the 1,200 signatures were not signing on that letter - they were signing on a 2 line slogan based on the reasons I presented above. Therefore, drawing any conclusions that the 1,200 signatures agreed to the lengthier letter was simply an error.
Furthermore, the intent of the letter which was written by an individual, was not to say that non Jewish stores should not be allowed in Lakewood. When BMG was initially accused of promoting materialism through a shopping center that would be built in the middle of a predominantly jewish area, some of the concerns related to the fact that there would surely be tenants who served non kosher food, draw traffic to the area on Sabbath when most stores in the area are generally closed, and possibly have stores like Victoria Secret etc which would display pictures of scantily clad women that would generally not be preferred by the ultra orthodox. Again, the primary objection related to the fact that BMG was the developer. It would be analogous to a Catholic Church building an abortion clinic.
BMG responded that they understand the neighborhoods concerns and they pledged to have a restriction that any stores that lease must be closed on Sabbath. They are a private developer and are allowed to place any such reasonable restriction that they want on tenants. They could say that all stores must close at 9:00. This restriction was to pacify area residents that they will not be attracting traffic on Sabbath.
The writers of this letter were going on to say that they still object to the shopping center. Again, the primary issue is that BMG is building a shopping center at all. Also, the letter went on to disagree with the BMG response by saying that it was insufficient. There could still be non kosher stores and Victoria Secrets etc. Again - they would not have objected if the developer was anyone other than BMG who they felt should adhere to standards in line with the lifestyle that they encourage.
No one in Lakewood is trying to deny business opportunities for gentiles. Some websites alleged that this is an attempt to prevent non jews from owning businesses. Others questioned why the petition doesn't mention traffic. This shopping center was already highly contested by many due to the traffic. Many had already been objecting from the traffic stand point for several months.The shopping center had already been redrawn with considerable changes after an outcry regarding the traffic. It was pegged to be a very large shopping center in the middle of a residential neighborhood with questionable zoning.
The reiterate, the objection was not to having stores in Lakewood and certainly not to having stores owned by gentiles, this petition was simply adding an element related to the spiritual dichotomy of BMG engaging in the pursuit of materialism.