As the rabbis and cantors of the State of Delaware, we are writing to share our response to the recent anti-Semitic Facebook remarks of Sussex County Republican Vice Chair Nelly Jordan. We are living in a time where anti-Semitic acts are on the rise and proliferating. We also know that words lead to actions. In light of these facts, Vice Chair Jordan’s words are particularly dangerous and inflammatory.
She does not get to define who are Jews “in Name only” and who are not. Her words utilize the anti-Semitic trope that Jews secretly control the government. Vice Chair Jordan’s words regarding Jewish complicity in the impeachment process are unacceptable. Such language is beneath the status of her position and cannot be tolerated. Jordan has failed in her responsibility as an elected official in her community.
We echo the calls of leaders of her own party for Nelly Jordan to resign immediately.
While we appreciate the apology she has offered, she did not name anti-Semitism in that apology, and we continue to demand a full apology for her harmful words.
We additionally hope that she will reach out to the Jewish community to begin the process of making amends.
Rabbi Elisa F. Koppel, RJE
director of Lifelong Learning
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