When a predominantly gay synagogue in Manhattan learned that a group of ultra-Evangelical Christians were planning a protest outside their building, the congregation decided to turn the hate rally into a fundraising event.
Parishoners from the Westboro Baptist Church, a Kansas-based institution, gathered on Sunday outside Congregation Beth Simchat Torah with signs reading “God hates fags” and “Jews stole the land.”
The synagogue heard several days in advance of the church’s planned demonstration and decided to counter the protesters’ publicity drive with one of their own, rather than pursuing legal action.
The congregation encouraged its supporters to donate at least $1 for every six minutes that the demonstration lasted.
Following the 51-minute protest, the synagogue was able to raise more than $10,000 in donations. The congregation, which has been renting the West Village space, hopes to eventually buy a building of its own.
Some 150 people - including members other nearby synagogues and churches - held a counter-demonstration during the fundraising event, where they sang Jewish songs and prayers.
The Westboro Baptist Church is run by Fred Phelps, an outspoken evangelist who claims natural disasters and terrorist attacks are the result of America’s “tolerance” of homosexuals. Phelps targeted Congregation Beth Simchat Torah because it works primarily with the Jewish gay and lesbian community.
That's a great idea to counteract an event run by a group of hateful bigots, in order to use the time to do something positive for another group. Perhaps other organizations can use this idea in the future.
HURRAH for Congregation Beth Simchat Torah !! Though not of the Jewish faith, but an avid admirere of all the present and past JEWISH-AMERICAN LABOR LEADERS..something some of my fellow Liberal and Progressive friends tend to forget the contributions JEWISH DAILY FOWARD made in the recent past.. I will never forget.
Im glad the reactionary and fascistoid Westboro Baptist Church and it's "FUHRER" Fred Phelps can be put in his place.
LONG LIVE THE JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE!
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