Thank you for your comments. I’ll try to be more conscious of the impressions and feelings the posts portray in the future.

Chris

I merely pointed out that in reporting on his actions, you may have unintentionally framed the story so that his background seems a contributory factor in his bad behavior, when it is in fact, irrelevant. Bad behavior is bad behavior, regardless of background.

I don’t think you meant anything bad by it, it just shows what a slipperly slope that type of comment is

Not trying to stir things up here further, just an observation that perhaps readers are confused by your choice to describe the area as “largely Jewish”, “conservative”, and “wealthy”, and then giving the name and photo of Mr. Lefkowitz who, it appears, is himself Jewish.

All of that seems to have little to do with the issue about which you are complaining (rightly), so it is curious to some readers that you would choose to include it.

I think that set the tone for the rest of your post and left some of your readers wondering if you, yourself, are not a bit guilty of some bias.

I have not at any time in this post or the subsequent comments made any suggestion that anyone other than the person who sent the postcards is at fault here.

I’ve made no accusation against the Jewish community. I’ve made a specific accusation against a single person. To assume that my accusations against this person extend to the entire community is simply false.

As for a businessman looking to generate organic interest, I think that is a poor characterization of the circumstance. This is a case of a businessman trying to generate fear in a manner which Federal Law and social norms have deemed unacceptable. I would recommend you refer to this post http://agentgenius.com/?p=2028 and read the 18+ comments there to understand the reactions of the professionals in the industry.

Please reread what I’ve said here, there are no generalizations. And then pick up the phone and call Mr. Lefkowitz and speak to him yourself. See if you come away from that conversation with a different impression than I did.

I’m sorry, but “I know it when I see it” feels an awful lot like personal sentiment rather than a statement of fact. I would be careful when leveling sever accusations against someone based on personal sentiment, or even sentiment within a closed social circle.

And even if there were isolated incidents of discriminatory practice, I would hope that we as a society have advanced past the point of mass judgment and general assumption of a large group based on the actions of an individual.

Regardless of the law (in this case, it seems the party in discussion is not a Realtor and the legality of this “offering” may present a legal gray area) – I would hesitate to consider this a racist or biased offer.

Rather, this was a businessman looking to generate organic interest in a sale by inviting neighbors to recommend a property or home to their friends. This appears to be a sensationalist businessman speaking appealing to the local neighborhood, inviting them to socially spread the word – bypassing the Realtor.

I sincerely hope that we can all look past this incident, recognize the vast social divide between the subject community and the businessman in question, and appreciate that sensationalism is still an acceptable norm in certain sales circles – and no harm or racism was meant in any way.

If Allen and my own voices are any indicator, I would hesitate to suggest that the religious affiliation of the individual in question suggests any discriminatory sentiment within the broader social group (Jews).

If anything, we have been at the forefront of social equality, cultural progression and individual freedom.

I cannot speak for the actions of this individual, but I can relate that the Jewish Law requires that we follow the secular law (unless the latter directly forbids practicing the former, which is not the case in the US).

Discrimination is far from the norm within the community in question (in my experience) and I appreciate your understanding and perspective.