NYC area signatories of letter protesting Klinghoffer opera as morally objectionable

Open Letter to Peter Gelb September 22, 2014 Mr. Peter Gelb General Manager The Metropolitan Opera Lincoln Center New York, NY 10023 Dear Mr. Gelb, We have closely followed the events which have unfolded since the decision to stage “The Death of Klinghoffer” at The Metropolitan Opera. In making the decision to stage this opera in New York at this time, it could well have been anticipated that this production, and the sensitivities around its story, would generate divisiveness. The disappointment and negative reaction that is now playing out is therefore not surprising. There are many dimensions of this opera that are upsetting. In particular, the opera’s juxtaposition of terrorists and their victims on the same moral plane is gravely inappropriate. Moreover, this production runs the risk of legitimizing acts of terror, which is particularly sensitive now as anti-Jewish attacks and expressions of hatred against Jews have reached frightening levels around the globe, and innocent American journalists have been cruelly beheaded by radical Islamists. As we would never try to find the humanity in those who perpetrated the barbarism of 9-11, whose 13th anniversary we just commemorated, it is surely morally objectionable to seek the same for Mr. Klinghoffer's executioners. Mr. Gelb, while we recognize the steps you have taken to minimize the viewership outside of New York, we remain deeply disturbed that this production will be staged at the Metropolitan Opera. Signed, Ronald G. Weiner, President, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York Michael S. Miller, Executive Vice President and CEO, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York Alisa R. Doctoroff, President, UJA-Federation of New York Linda Mirels, Chair of the Board, UJA-Federation of New York Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York Rabbi Steve Gutow, President and CEO, Jewish Council for Public Affairs Ethan Felson, Vice President and General Counsel, Jewish Council for Public Affairs Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner, President, New York Board of Rabbis Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President, New York Board of Rabbis Marcie Natan, President, Hadassah Ellen Hershkin, Coordinator of the PRAZE Division, Hadassah Gail Perl, President, WIZO USA Martin Nachimson, President, Orthodox Union Allen Fagin, Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union Richard Skolnik, President, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi Steven Wernick, CEO, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Farley Weiss, President, National Council of Young Israel Robert Levi, Chairman, National Council of Young Israel Rabbi Yosef Blau, President, Religious Zionists of America Martin Oliner, Chairman, Religious Zionists of America Feliks Frenkel, Chairman of the Board, Council of Jewish Emigre Community Organizations Roman Shmulenson, Executive Director, Council of Jewish Emigre Community Organizations Jack Grunspan, Executive Vice President, Bnai Zion Foundation Alicia Post, Director, Northeast Region, Bnai Zion Foundation Michael Feinman, Greater New York Executive Director, Jewish National Fund David Newman, Executive Director, JCRC-LI Paul B. Warhit, President, Westchester Jewish Council William H. Schrag, Executive Committee Member, Westchester Jewish Council Gale S. Bindelglass, Chair, JCRC of the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ Joy Kurland, Director, JCRC of the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ Rabbi Steven Moss, President, Suffolk County Board of Rabbis Rabbi Michael Stanger, President, Long Island Board of Rabbis Cynthia Zalisky, Executive Director, Queens Jewish Community Council Stephen Reiner, President, Kings Bay YM-YWHA Leonard Petlakh, Executive Director, Kings Bay YM-YWHA Maya Gurevich, President, New York Association of Jews from the Former Soviet Union Inna Arolovich, Vice President, New York Association of Jews from the Former Soviet Union Zaki Tamir, Chairman, Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Rabbi Eli Cohen, Executive Director, Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Avrohom Hecht, Executive Director, JCC of Canarsie Michael Rosenbaum, President, Board of Directors, Sid Jacobson JCC David Black, Executive Director, Sid Jacobson JCC Steven Markowitz, Chairman, Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County Avi Posnick, New York Regional Coordinator, StandWithUs *Full list in formation