BUFFALO, N.Y. — A local arts organization's initial refusal to work with a Jewish school in Amherst is drawing criticism.
Ohr Temimim, the former Jewish Heritage Day School, requested Locust Street Art to help with an arts program for its middle school in Amherst.
A text message obtained by 2 On Your Side shows a response from Locust Street after the initial request.
It reads in part, "We are on opposite sides of a great ethical divide and cannot in good consciousness work with a pro-Israel organization that supports the ongoing genocide in Palestine."
Erie County Legislator Christopher Greene — who represents Clarence, Newstead and Amherst — says he wants to see a plan from Locust Street, so that this doesn't happen again.
The group received more than $30,000 in county funding this year.
"When you accept public funds, there's certain expectations, and that is certainly that you're open to everybody," Greene said. "In fact, that was one of the taglines they came to us with when they were requesting the funding. They defined themselves as art for everyone, so to reject a Jewish school based on their faith was completely unacceptable, and I think the taxpayers deserve an answer."
Locust Street Art responded to the situation in a statement on its website.
I am incredibly ashamed of our lapse in judgment. At Locust Street Art, we know and believe that the arts are for all, and it would be deeply wrong of us to deny arts access to the youth of Ohr Temimim.
We should not and do not take sides on political matters and we believe that the arts have the power to heal divides and that it can bring people together.
Locust Street Art has always been and will always be a place where all people, especially those who have been marginalized, are lifted up and belong. We try to always lead with positive intent and love for all people. We failed to abide by that core philosophy today, and let misguided interpretations cloud our judgement.
Again, on behalf of myself and everyone at Locust Street Art, I profusely apologize and I sincerely promise to do better in the future.
If you will accept my apology, I would love to have a conversation about the services we can provide to Ohr Temimim youth.