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Why Are We Tolerating Antisemitism
in Sun City Anthem?
By Liz Breier
I am asking myself if Sun City Anthem is truly the welcoming, caring, friendly, community I thought I have been living in for the last 18 years.
Our community welcomes all ethnicities and religions and there are so many opportunities for us all to come together. I know that our community does not allow restrictions of members to any Club, and I have always thought it was embracing and fair.
Then the shoe dropped!
While the news is filled daily with examples of hatred and antisemitism, violence and discrimination towards Jews, I thought that at least when I meet friends in the Anthem Center, I could have a respite from the horrors of the world outside.
I could not have been more wrong.
On Tuesday, May 27, when I and many others witnessed an employee of Sun City strolling by wrapped in a Keffiyeh, (the head covering worn by middle eastern terrorist and demonstrators) my reaction was physical. I started to shake and couldn’t concentrate.
I felt sickened and angered at the same time. Had she been wrapped in a swastika I don’t think I could have been any more upset.
My reaction was probably similar to the way a liberal would feel if an employee was walking by in a MAGA hat, but of course, SCA would not allow that to be worn at work.
Sadly, the response I got from Management is that it “is not necessarily …for making a statement” and it might be to protect from “elements outside and from sun and so on.” I was further advised that Management determined “that it’s not necessary to bring it to the attention of the instructor not to wear it.”
I did not sleep much on Tuesday evening and have not been much better since then. I wrote to 2 SCA Board members on Wednesday and was expecting to get some kind of response, even if they would let me know that they would investigate.
As of this writing 3 days later, I remain outraged and still have not heard a word from the board members.
College campuses, streets of major cities, a young couple walking in DC, all sounds so far removed from our cocoon in SCA, UNTIL we are faced with Management and Board Members in our own community that let us know, loud and clear, that they will not stand shoulder to shoulder with their Jewish neighbors.
Our community standards are definitive regarding the behavior of residents, and more than once, some have been banned from common areas because their behavior was deemed inappropriate. How can this keffiyeh not rise to the same level?
This is heartbreaking and needs to be addressed by the SCA Board to provide clear and concise rules for employee dress codes and behavior. I hope I am not alone in my concern and outrage.
Liz, I too had the misfortune to see that employee and filed a “blue card” about it. Your commentary was “spot-on” and I feel as outraged as you. Hopefully our residents that feel the same will reach out to the board and management to let them know their feeling on this issue.
In addition to the “keffiyeh” which was, at the time I saw her walking away from me it was partly over her shoulder exhibiting a black bra and skin-tight pants.
Before retiring to SCA I had been in business my entire adult life and always the rule was dressing in a professional manner. Suffice to say I was shocked, first by the “keffiyeh” followed up by the rest of her chosen clothing.
The filed “blue card” was emailed back to me and since I filed it on the new website I assumed that was the way management confirmed receipt of the blue card since there was no message that accompanied it.
By: Kristi Lonsinger
Your recent blog articles by Liz Breier and yourself are so disturbing, I’m not sure what to say. In the past we’ve been told to keep politics out of Anthem Center. I hope the Board and Management does not let this new active protest stand. And it’s an employee not a resident. So disgraceful!
By Dan Roberts
As a very “Un-Jewish” Jew, I want to add my name as being totally outraged and angry over a Sun City Anthem employee being allowed to wear a Keffiyeh, on the premises.
My anger (for now) is not directed at the employee. Whether she believes it is a fashion accessory, clothing to keep the sun out of her eyes, or just serving as a “useful idiot” is of no concern to me.
My outrage is directed to SCA Management and the Board for allowing it.
And in fairness to them, perhaps they were unaware of the employee’s wardrobe and/or did not understand the antisemitic significance. But they do now.
I also want to make clear that if this person wants to wear the Keffiyeh to and from work or when she is “off-duty,” so be it. However when she is “on the clock” Management/Board have every right to set standards as to appropriate attire. And a symbol of antisemitism cannot and must not be allowed.
With this in mind, I will eagerly and anxiously await a determination by those in charge. And if no action is taken, I promise to do everything legally possible to spotlight this condoning of hatred.
You either support (even silently) antisemitic behavior or you shut it down. Which side will my SCA neighbors choose?
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