By Aryeh Levin, COLlive reporter
A Jewish law student from Columbus, Ohio, is garnering signatures for an apology letter to Mrs. Margaret Park, mother of slain wildlife officer Peggy Park.
The young Park was shot to death in Florida in 1984 by Martin Grossman, a Jewish man, who took responsibility for the killing before being executed Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010.
Chabad and Jewish organization, and even the Vatican, had asked for clemency, arguing that he had shown remorse.
“I fully regret everything that happened that night, everything that was done, whether I remember everything or not. I accept responsibility,” Grossman was recorded as saying.
But Park’s 79-year-old mother who lives in suburban Columbus, said: “I think he’s been treated very fairly by the state of Florida. I don’t take any pleasure in an execution, but it’s time.”
MP, Ohio State Grad Student ’11 who lives nearby, has spoken to Mrs. Park since.
“She lives in my neighborhood and I was upset to hear that she has received some harassment from some frum people,” the mother of 4 told COLlive.com.
“She told me that people didn’t know the details of her daughter’s murder, yet she had received ‘unkind’ phone calls. I told her I was planning to write to her and she seemed amenable to a letter.”
The woman invited COLlive readers to write to Mrs. Park. Here is a sample letter:
Dear Mrs. Park,
I am writing this letter on behalf of myself and others in the Jewish community to express our apologies for the way you and your family have been treated over the past few weeks.
From what we understand, you have received harassing messages and phone calls and for that we are truly sorry.
That was the reprehensible behavior of a few misguided and confused individuals and we assure you that their conduct does not reflect the general mindset of the Jewish community as a whole.
Judaism, as a religion, places great emphasis on personal responsibility and consequences and we do not believe that any individual should escape the consequences of his actions simply because of his religious affiliations.
I have read quite a bit about your daughter over the last month and it seems that she was a beautiful person with a kind heart.
We are all so sorry for your loss and for the ordeals which your family has gone through over the last 25 years. We hope that now your family can finally find some measure of peace and comfort.
Once again, please accept our sincere apologies for any comments or actions that added to your sorrow.
Signed
Related Articles:
+ Grossman Buried in New York
+ The Day I Watched a Man Die
+ Martin Grossman, OBM
+ Inmate Execution Will Proceed
+ Efforts to Halt Execution
+ Aleph Asked to Halt Execution
You’ve done a wonderful thing, and my family and I are grateful.
Follow Up:
I went to visit with Mrs. Park this afternoon. She was very grateful and after she read the letter, she started crying and asking me how she can ever thank these Jewish people who signed the letter because there were no addresses or numbers. She asked me to thank them for her if I ever see them.
Unlike many frum Jews, I oppose the Death Penalty. I am sad when anybody is executed. But I was no sadder about Martin Grossman than I was about anybody else dying in that way. He is a murderer. I would have turned his sentence into life without parole if I had the power, but I would have done that for every man and woman on Death Row.
Miriam With all due respect, the Parks family was not harrased at all. Tis is a pure propaganda issue. The Parks did take issue that the Jewish organizations did not want to see Martin be put to death. 1) Mrs Parks was called and spoken to with a lot of repect that a fund set up by the jewish community would be a better way to remmeber her daughter and would brin better closure than to see Grossman executed. Mrs PArks agreed and liked the idea. It was her son Who is a member of a mission that visits prisoners… Read more »
If you’re a Jew then he’s your brother whatever he did. Why did you cry when he was executed? You sound a tad confused…
And
“YISROEL AF AL PI SHECHOTO YISROEL HU”.
Imagine your sibling in this situation, no matter what happened you would try to save them.
This does not justify Chilul Hashem, and is Obviously up to a Rov. (especially that it represents Jews towards a goy).
He’s not my brother. I don’t take responsibility for a 200 lb. man who beat a small woman and then shot her in the head.
I’ve heard people bash Reform and Conservative rabbis and Jews as if they’re not even Jews, but this killer is my brother? Because he found G-d in prison?
Sorry. He’s no more my brother than any of the men on Death Row. I cried when he was executed but I would do the same for anybody being executed.
1)NOT ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS COMMENTING HERE HAS PROOF THAT MRS PARKS RECEIVED HARASSING CALLS. SO YOUR DECLARATION OF CHILLUL HASHEM IS NOT ONLY LASHON HORA, IT IS RECHILLUS. AND YOU ARE ALSO PASSING JUDGMENT ON YOUR FELLOW JEWS. EVEN IF THERE WERE TRUTH TO THIS, AND ONE DID HAVE PROOF, THERE IS NO HALACHIC RULING – OR SECULAR FOR THAT MATTER – THAT REQUIRES ONE INDIVIDUAL TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE ACTIONS OF ANOTHER. 2)WE ARE TAUGHT IN TORAH TO DO ALL WE CAN TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A JEW.THE PETITION WAS RUN AND ENDORSED BY MANY, MANY HIGHLY… Read more »
And
“YISROEL AF AL PI SHECHOTO YISROEL HU”.
Imagine your sidelining in this situation, no matter what happened you would try to save them.
This does not justify Chilul Hashem, and obviously up to a Rov. (especially that it represents Jews towards a goy).
Your judging someone. Its says in the torah. Dont judge your fellow till you stand in their shoes. YOur not in martins shoes, So DONT FREEKIN JUDGE HIM! I would like to judge you for your comments but i leave that to g-d.
only he can judge you.
The Jews, formerly the smartest guys around, have become…how shall I put it…a joke. Weeping and rending their clothes over a cold-blooded killer, complaining when somebody wants to express sympathy and rightfully apologize for all the loons.
Miriam P, I’ll be sending you my name, and the name of my husband. We’re grateful to you for restoring our faith that there are a few Jews who haven’t lost their marbles and their morals.
There appear to be numerous requests both here and on Matzav.com for Rabbinical permission for this letter. Why is it that no Rabbi has been quoted as having given his hechsher?
All signatures on a petition signal one goal. There were no other options. And the people counting the names were the ones heading the petition. There are thousands upon thousands of misguided Jews…yourself and Mrs Pearlmutter among them. The petition to save Martin Grossman’s life was headed by numerous Rabbonim, and their decision was based on Torah. You can argue with the Chief Rabbi of Haifa -a Universally accepted and highly respected Rav – if you want. Clearly you’d lose any Halachic argument, because your mindset is not based in Torah. I’m actually surprised you’re not impressed with the Vatican,… Read more »
I hate to tell you this, but they counted the messages that did not ask the governor to cancel the execution within the 50,000. That was the total number of messages he received. Believe me, there were people who didn’t ask for a stay of execution. I’m sure there were tens of thousands of Jews who did ask for a stay, but there were some Jews who didn’t feel that way.
Either way, it’s an excellent letter, Miriam.
Expressed very well.
“50,000 people worldwide cant all have been wrong.”
You want to tell that to one billion Christians? Or one billion Muslims?
An argument from numbers is not necessarily a valid argument.
The Wolf
אני לא חושב שמחלוקת בין יהודים למען משמימה”לאומית” של שלום בית של שכנים זה הדבר הנכון אף אחד לא מאשים את פרקר אבל ההתמצלות חלילה תביא כאילו עם ישראל באמת אשם ברצח ובטלפונים הללו היה פשוט יותר לכתוב מכתב אישי ולא לישות פרפגנדא שגם תזלוג לעיתונות ותביא אנשטישמיות אין בפטישן עניין לסכסך בין יהודים והעיקר לרצות את האמא בכל אופן מכתב אישי כן פאטישן אי אפשר לגכעת למה זה יהא אם פרקר תקרא התגובות כאן כבר רק מזה יהיה לה יותר שמאת ישראל היא לא טיפשה היא הבינה למה היה פטאישן למען מרטין אבל הטלפונים הטיפשיים הם לא מראים על… Read more »
I wanted to thank everyone for all their support so far and especially those rabbonim who have signed their names in their official capacities. Although it may not seem like from the comments, there are many sincere people who have contacted me to ask to affix their signature to the letter. I will give it another day or so and then bring it over. Thanks everyone and especially thank you to the collive editors who published this letter!
The “State of Israel” today is governed by self-hating Jews similar to yourself, who also feel this tremendous need to prove that Jews show empathy to gentiles…like the Palastinians. The tragic result is a huge toll on Jewish life…like Gush Katif and the 8-year non-stop rocket attack on S’derot, and so on. Another example is the story of Shaul saving the animals of Amaleik, and the horrific ramifications that followed. This is the effect of misplaced pity. Let us take this love and distibute it amongst our own…Ahavas Yisroel
Actually, I am not Miriam. My name is Jane (the truth) and I live in New York. And I think you’re a fool if you think that Miriam is the only person who thinks this way. Plenty of us are supporting her efforts.
I’m not sure if you’re Chaim or Miriam…but anyone who has the audacity to put an article such as this on a Chabad website, is asking for it BIG TIME!!! And since Miriam’s apparent concern is for justice…let justice prevail!
who gave you the right to represent the jewish community? Martin Grossman did tshuva brfore he passed away.Thousands of jews and even the vatican asked for clemency for Martin Grossman.Imagine it is your own brother or uncle G-d forbid,with avery low I.Q. on drugs ,terrified the night of the murder.Ahorrible childhood. 25 years in jail is not enough? Of course he did not have a lawyer like O.J Simpson’s. Of course there should not be no harassement , those who did ,and only those who did ,should aplogize. Anyway what kind of a person would fly to watch a human… Read more »
Yup…that’s you again, Miriam!
I absolutely agree with you! Thank you for voicing your opinion so precisely.
Todays Tanya LOVE your fellow JEW like yourself it doesn’t say love all G-d creatures like yourself it says love your fellow Jew like yourself and if you can see your life being taken by a goy should we love them?
so no letter from me
A beautiful letter – thank you.
How does one death atone for another? How do humans decide who is to live and who is to die? How does Mrs Parks feel at peace taking the life of another?
The two TRUE expressions of Kiddush Hashem were:
a) Martin Grossman’s public teshuvah, and
b)The tremendous outpouring of Ahavas Yisroel as shown by the 50,000 petitioners who were against his death.
May Hashem have mercy on this very misguided author, and may He show her the TRUE way to righteousness!
Doesn’t matter who is right or wrong. Stop making a new campaign. All is over. Move on.
you are so right- that is her only mistake bec we can see how utterly insane some of the responses are- amazing how totally prejudiced some Jews are who call themselves frum.
no one is harassing her. We do not need some liberal self hating Jewish girl trying to win favor in the eyes of a goy. Why did this old lady travel against her doctors advise to see the execution? This did not bring back her daughter. The criminal was in jail for life. That should have been enough for her. As a frum Jew we need to save another jewish life even if he is 119 and 364 days old etc. We all got together to sign petitions etc.. Why ruin the unity that we gained. get real. she (both… Read more »
Put the petition online Miriam!
An apology is absurd! Firstly, it admits that Jews actually were guilty of making harrassing phone calls and messages. That is unproven! Yet, the apology conceeds that this allegation happened. Secondly, an apology from anyone other than the alleged culprit (or is it culprits) is a collective apology for the “sin” of the collective Jewish People. This opens the concept of collective guilt – ALL Jews are guilty for the actions of one Jew. No, I won’t apologize for your actions, and please don’t apologize for mine! Finally, if one were to feel true love and brotherhood for Grossman, what… Read more »
You’re right, you should start an online petition (or whatever) to apologize to the author for so many of us disagreeing with her. Then we’ll write one to you. And so the merry-go-round continues.
you write: “Judaism, as a religion, places great emphasis on personal responsibility and consequences and we do not believe that any individual should escape the consequences of his actions simply because of his religious affiliations.” It is NOT because of his religious affiliations that people said that he did not deserve the death penalty. He did not plan on killing this woman when he initially set out that day. The circumstances are not that simple… And if you are mentioning the Torah, mention the full facts: That a person would not be killed for murder unless there were 2 eidim… Read more »
No point in apologizing for something you did not do. We don’t even know how many people called her. For all I know it is 1 or 2 people.
You have no right to apologize for the actions of other people who do not want to apologize.
Miriam , You write that you you wish “to express our apologies for the way you and your family have been treated over the past few weeks. From what we understand, you have received harassing messages and phone calls and for that we are truly sorry. That was the reprehensible behavior of a few misguided and confused individuals…” May I ask if you have any first hand information as to the nature of this harassment, and the number of people involved? If yes, please share the details and your source of information. If it is just hearsay, I do not… Read more »
I think that what was written on the http://www.savemartingrossman.com website is adequate – no need for any letter or petitions!
“…We, in the name of the whole Jewish Community, express our heartrending despair and condolences to the entire family of Ms. Peggy Park. May G-d grant you all the strength to continue-on and to rebuild the legacy of your wonderful, beloved daughter and sister, may she rest in peace….”
Kol Hamosif Goriea!
“We hope that now your family can finally find some measure of peace and comfort”
Are you suggesting that I sign a letter stating that “you can finally find . . peace and comfort” – through the execution of a yid? YIDEN (frume!) are writing this? have you consulted ANY true halachic authority?
isn’t incarceration the “peace and comfort” that 98+% of families of murder victims enjoy? are we hoping/wishing that the execution of Martin Grossman give them comfort? Sheimu Shomaim!
A sanhedrin which carried out the death sentence within 70 years(other opinion is once in seven years) was considered a terrorist sanhedrin. ALthough it seems that the Torah would judge the same, far from it. There are many circumstances or details involved such as warnings and witnesses which are needed to determine an execution.
Is the author another self-hating Jew? Don’t we have enough of those already?
I DISAGREE ENTIRELY with Mrs Pearlmutter. 1) Why would I apologize for something I haven’t done? 2)How do you KNOW that people harassed her? 3)Do you write apology letters to other JEWS in similar or WORSE situations? 4) I believe that Mrs Parks and her family may have been the only people on the planet to prevent Martin’s death. How she finds comfort in another’s death is beyond me. Murder is always wrong…whether by a ‘criminal’ or State Law. Humans do not reserve the right to decide who should live and who should die. Mrs Pearlmutter, I think you are… Read more »
More disappointing behavior. People bashing someone who is trying to make a positive gesture. Saying ridiculous remarks making Mrs. Park sounding bloodthirsty. She didn’t elect this governor, she didn’t make capital punishment possible. All she did was wait for 25 ridiculous long years of appeals.
He should get rewarded for endless appeals by having the punishment changed? Absurd. It makes no sense at all. And if he weren’t a Jew, you’d think it made no sense.
Double standards. Insensitivity. Rudeness. Just another day spent in the frum Jewish world.
PPPPPPPPPPLEASE.
tell her to get A LIFE!
Martin Grossman killed Margaret Park in 1984.
the state of Florida executed Martin Grossman in 2010.
MOTHER OF PEGGY PARK, MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After this fiasco ends someone will have to write an apology letter to Ms. Pearlmutter for all the abuse she is taking on this site.
I think Ms. Pearlmutter had the right idea to quietly write a heartfelt letter and deliver it to Mrs.Parks. However, putting it up here on the website and basically inviting all the foolish invective all over again is where she went wrong.
I think the letter is very nice. It assumes a lot of guilt on the behalf of the sender, which is unecessary. I think there should be no mention of apology, (as neither the writer or the organizaer had any wrong doing) rather critique for those who had portrayed unacceptable behavior.
In simpler terms the choice of words on the behalf of the writer (who I don’t know) gives legitemacy to the ill feelings towards the Jewish community which have no place.
You are all missing the point. When we signed that petition to save Martin Grossman’s life, no body asked or expected him to go free. Imagine living 23 hours a day in a tiny cell for the rest of your life. Isn’t that punishment enough? It is against our principles as Jews to stand by & do nothing against having a fellow Jew executed. That doesn’t avenge Ms. Park. It just brings a Jew’s death. If i had to I would protest again. And i certainly don’t accept that her mother was harassed. Anyone who approached her to ask her… Read more »
I believe if the letter is deemed acceptable, it should come from the organizers in FL.
Miriam – well done, U got ur moment of fame! But 4 wat?? Why not rally for sumthing really important instead? Get real gal!
Thank you for having the courage to step up against popular (ridiculous) opinion and do the right thing. Those who signed the petitions to save a cold blooded murderer’s life should at the very least sign this letter too. Show that you have rachmones on all people, since all people were created in Hashem’s image.
“halacha shesav sone leyaakov” she hates you and you r going to gather apology signatures! stop being a fool. she waited 25 years to see him dead? why cant she be satisfied with a life sentence? if she cant forgive one jew, she forsure will not forgive all of those who sign!!!!
as someone who was very involved wit hthis cause.
#1 the letter is very well written and purposely leaves out any controversity… excellent.
#2 i would be a little clearer in stating this, in other words, we are not taking a position here vis a vie marting grossman. just simply saying regardless of Martin Grossman we feel that threats to her family are unacceptable. threats to a victims family are reprehensable and inhumane.
just my two cents.
#32 I agree
Let’s all stop right now, and put an end to this ugly topic.
Martin Grossman is dead, G-D will handle it.
bh
bsd
She was right to complain about us orthodox jews efforts to block what the Torah dictates is the law in murder cases.
We should all ask our forgiveness, and wish her long healthy years of happiness.
in those times, people were on a higher level and judged for everything they did.
nowadays, people are on a much lower level in ruchnious
She’s apologizing for idiotic fools like you.
Apology why? her word are very painful, she when down to the same level M Grossman was when he commited the crime,
With all due respect, the apology means nothing if the people who made those phone calls don’t sign on it.
For the Jewish community to come out and apologize for trying to save a Jewish life no matter what he did (and again no one said he should be released from prison just not death)
Imho would be a travesty.
Again the ones who harrased should apologize to the family and to the Jewish communiy at large for making a chilul hashem but for as a comunnity to apologize I think is wrong.
“we do not believe that any individual should escape the consequences of his actions simply because of his religious affiliations.”
Or do we?
Poor Mrs. Park, soo nice to say one someone who waited 25 years for a death of a Jew!!! your sound like Shaul who had pity on amalekim!! Poor Gaza Palestinians who we fight our land back to not make it a burial place for Jews- so still Poor Mrs. Park start having pity on those who really need it!!! And besides there is a big halacha question in this very immature and embarrassing letter just putting yourselves even more low.
I think you should learn Perek 32 in Tayna to see what real Ahavas Yisroel means how every Jew is really one
to make my point think of Martin G as your 4 year old son and lets see what kind of letters you would be writing.
Show Ahavas Yisroel not Ahavas habrios
Poor Mrs. Park, soo nice to say one someone who waited 25 years for a death of a Jew!!! your sound like Shaul who had pity on amalekim!! Poor Gaza Palestinians who we fight our land back to not make it a burial place for Jews- so still Poor Mrs. Park start having pity on those who really need it!!! And besides there is a big halacha question in this very immature and embarrassing letter just putting yourselves even more low.
Miriam,
Well done and big kiddush Hashem and you dont need to ask any Rov.
A CH Resident,
Moshe
Parks asked for closure, so what are you now continuing, they would like this all to be behind them, without all sorts of ongoing signing,
ect.
To #3, #9, and especially #5:
Thank G-d I don’t know you people.
You think she just wants to have a Jew dead?I think not! The Jew took away her poor innocent daughter and even though it is 25 years,it is eternal pain for the ones who lose a child in such a vicious manner!!Ahavas Yisroel?I don’t think so because many Jews thought it was an outrage to fight for a murderer!Those were not heard loudly enough.Yes she deserves an apology.When it isn’t your child CV’ ,then 25 yrs is a long time-but not for the family!!!!
I am in agreeance with those above…as yidden we do not put our feelings before Halacha. Much evil has been committed in this world through misplaced pity. The Torah has very specific rules and conditions that must be met prior to execution, even by a Beis Din. An “eye for an eye”, as we all know is not meant in the literal sense.
Please consult a Rov ASAP, so as not to chas v’shalom err in this weighty matter.
shocking. you can apologize for harassment and unkind words, but you DO NOT need to show support and approval for his murder, please! lets not get carried away.
Mrs Park, you should had known better than anyone.
I guess not.
Mr Grossman already apologized in public, now Mrs Park must apologies for her words
the death penalty is immoral
the whole situation is a nebach, and noone should ever know of such things! however if the mother traveled on an airplane to watch the execution… “hoping that this will help comfort and closure…” G-d bless the family, maybe they should go for therapy after 25 yrs?!?!
Execution of a person by a person is wrong both ways
In a civil world there is no way to justify execution
Shame on the mother for her words, by taking someones life in any case, you became the killer. Now two people are dead and the mother is content. that is just plain WRONG
How do you achive happiness trough murder?
Ask a Rav!!! Why are you so sure that she had so many people call her and HARASS her. Maybe she just wanted Grossman killed so she exaggerated a little. Personally I don’t believe that so many people called her and really harassed an old lady. Every community has some deranged people out there. But considering that there was over 50,000 yidden requesting that Grossman’s life be spared and if a few people called her and really did not scream or threaten her it becomes quite obvious that only deranged people called her and no apologies are necessary if you… Read more »
Take out the word “I”.
Take out the word “confused”.
Take out the entire paragraph starting with “Judaism”. Firstly, it is unnecessary. Secondly, it is misleading because it may imply that “Judaism” agrees that Martin should have been put to death.
Even in Biblical times, you killed someone you got killed – What is up with every one’s morals today
I will sign it in an instant
you’re not suppposed to speak negative about the dead. yes, martin’s not a hero, but he did die as a baal teshuvah…
mrs park could have lent her hand to commute his sentence to life. she is a good gentile no doubt and that would have been an act of great courage and forgiveness rather than taking another life that had thoroughly repented. 50,000 people worldwide cant all have been wrong mrs perlmutter.
I agree with # 3, there needs to be a rav involved before going ahead with something like this!
however anyone fell about Mr. grossman,she’s one hundred percent right!
I would sign it!
Yashor Koach your suggestion seems a reflection of one who is a yirei shomayim and someone who is in tune with the torah’s perspective in general.
she said she wants the death of a Jew’s very big mistake he made while on drugs after regreting it terribly don’t be such a tatale to someone who said he deserves death although she is very pained her daughter was taken away from her, stop worrying soo much about about somone who couldn’t wait to have a death of Jew, it this the right halacha?!!!! wow, it would be nice to focus more on ahavat yisroel than feelings of a mother who waited 25 years to have a Jew dead! what do you think your attitude really upsets me!!!
Regardless of where you stand on Mr. Grossman – I think he should have lived – the family of the victim is certainly not at fault – you can direct that at Charlie Crist perhaps.
I applaud this effort and think it is a true kiddush Hashem.
Hi, I saw your request for an apology letter. I would love to, however, on one very crucial condition; namely you have this approved by a Halachic authority. I say this because you have to be careful. The unity amongst thousands upon thousands of Jews worldwide garnered on behalf of Martin was an outstanding show of Jewish unity and adherence to our Jewish law which required that. Now of course some people may have gone too far. However if there is ever G-D forbid a similar instance we would like to see the same outcry. You don’t want to be… Read more »
Martin Grossman deserved to die for his crime. He has paid the price. Everyone should now be able to rest in peace but PLEASE do not make a hero out of Martin Grossman.
Put it online like they did with the petition for Mr. Grossman.
I would definitely sign it.