By Carl Orth
NEW PORT RICHEY – “Judaism with a smile” is a slogan which appears on the Chabad of West Pasco Web site.
But some Jewish leaders in the area are frowning about the scheduling of the second West Pasco Chamber of Commerce candidates forum the same day as Yom Kippur – Thursday, Oct. 9.
“It was mistakenly overlooked on that date,” West Pasco Chamber President Joe Alpine said about the scheduling of the debate on Judaism’s most solemn day. “We’ll be sure in the future to take special notice of this … next year.”
Alpine said he had a “great conversation” with Rabbi Yossi Eber from the Trinity-based Chabad Jewish Center of West Pasco. Alpine explained to Eber the Jewish holy day had been overlooked.
Eber said he would send a calendar of Jewish events to Chamber officials in the future, according to Alpine. Eber did not respond to a request for comment.
Alpine believe his explanation left the rabbi “very satisfied.”
Another Jewish resident, was not so pleased. Doris Rosen, a longtime West Pasco feminist activist, sent e-mails Friday to newspapers and Jewish leaders to campaign for the rescheduling of the Oct. 9 Chamber debate.
Rosen wrote, in part, “We in the Jewish community need to step up and speak up to those who think too lightly about scheduling conflicts by saying, ‘Oh we just made a mistake, we’ll do better next year.’ They can do better this year.
“Please forward this e-mail so that the Chamber can realize the (significance) of their mistake,” Rosen added.
She included the Chamber of Commerce’s telephone number, 727 842 7651, and Alpine’s e-mail address, [email protected], in the e-mail.
“That’s really not acceptable,” Rosen said in a telephone interview. “I’m sure they can find another date the following week.” She suggested alternate sites with community rooms.
“I’m sure the candidates will do everything in their power to rearrange” their schedules, Rosen said.
– SUNCOAST NEWS
