US Jewish groups warn Purim partiers against blackface costumes
Six organizations in New York and New Jersey tell community members to stop dressing up as racial stereotypes, halt the traditional ‘hanging of Haman’ during holiday next week
Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.
NEW YORK — Six Jewish groups in New York and New Jersey warned against racially insensitive Purim celebrations on Thursday.
The statement aimed to head off any offensive or painful incidents during the holiday next week, during which children dress up in costumes, by explaining the racial context surrounding some potential holiday expressions that could be misinterpreted.
Racially insensitive costumes have repeatedly caused major controversies in the US in recent years, coinciding with a racial reckoning following widespread police violence against minorities, and other racist incidents.
Some New York Jewish communities, for instance in Brooklyn’s Borough Park and Williamsburg, live alongside minority communities, generally in harmony, but occasionally racial tensions surface between the groups.
A joint statement in English and Yiddish from six Jewish organizations in New York and New Jersey told community members to not dress in “blackface” costumes and explained the practice’s painful legacy to the Black community.
The statement said to refrain from the traditional “hanging of Haman,” the holiday’s villain, who tried to exterminate Jews in the ancient Persian empire.
Let’s make a kiddush Hashem on Purim by respecting the sensitivities of others. Share this post so, together, we can work to create awareness within the community for children and adults alike. Wishing a joyful and meaningful Purim to all! pic.twitter.com/9JN6i8F7Cm
— Boro Park JCC (@bpjcc) March 10, 2022
“For many years, the KKK and other racist groups, who murdered and lynched minorities, used a noose or hanging doll to threaten and intimidate,” the statement said.
“Our fellow community members and neighbors often do not know Haman’s history and it’s extremely painful and insensitive in their view,” it said.
Lastly, the statement warned generally against costumes that “stereotype any community group.”
“Keep in mind that our community would also be offended if we were to be stereotyped should anyone use antisemitic tropes in choosing costumes during holidays like Halloween,” it said.
The organizations asked parents to explain the potential severity of racially insensitive holiday practices and the harm they could cause.
“Let’s celebrate a joyful Purim, without inflicting pain upon our community and neighbors,” it said.
The statement was signed by the Agudath Israel of America Orthodox umbrella group, the Anti-Defamation League, the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn, New Jersey non-profit The Vaad, the Borough Park JCC and the Oizrim Jewish Council.
Last year, religious Jewish children in New Jersey dressed in costumes deemed to be racist during Purim, drawing a complaint from a local NAACP chapter.
Children in Lakewood were seen wearing blackface, Afro wigs and Black Lives Matter sweatshirts during the celebrations, apparently without understanding the racist connotations.
A local rabbinical association condemned wearing blackface and explained the evolving cultural context in response to the incident.
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