From: info@electjosephsteinberg.

com
Subject: Open Letter to Teaneck's Orthodox Community
An Open Letter to the Members of Teaneck's Orthodox Community:
First let me thank the many members of the community who reached out to me with
support after the recent coordinated smear attacks launched against me. My famil
y and I are most appreciative, not only that you have supported us personally, b
ut that you have defended the honor of our community.
Over Shabbos I had to explain to my 10-year-old daughter why she heard people cr
iticizing me for things which I had never done, or why a tabloid that she sees i
n many kosher stores is saying that her daddy -- a musmach who she knows has bee
n involved in many Jewish causes his whole life -- is somehow connected with ant
i-Semitism.
Imagine for a moment how you would feel if it had been you -- or your child -- w
ho had been defamed as such.
All of the allegations against me in the tabloid article are lies and distortion
s; such was probably already clear to any intelligent person from the fact that
every allegation made is attributed to anonymous "sources."
Furthermore, in violation of both Biblical and Rabbinic law, none of the signato
ries of the vicious letter attacking me with intentionally misleading informatio
n about my campaign platform bothered to sit down and speak to me about my posit
ions before issuing it. One asked me outright offensive questions by email, and
ignored the answers I provided; the others did not communicate with me at all. T
heir letter not only damaged me, but also wrecked months of behind-the-scenes ef
forts in which I had been involved to reduce the anti-Orthodox tensions in one s
ection of town, undermined behind-the-scenes efforts to positively influence fut
ure spending and efficiency decisions at the Board of Education, and disgraced t
he entire Jewish community. It costs all of us not only money, but our collectiv
e dignity.
As a result of the smear campaign, a terrible Chillul Hashem has now spread both
within and beyond the Jewish community. It was precisely this type of behavior
that the Talmud says brought about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple,
and led to nearly two millennia of exile and persecution. The damage that has be
en done to the reputation of our community will last well beyond this election,
and those who were involved with the current smear campaign owe an apology not o
nly to me, but to the entire Jewish community. Their actions are something about
which we should all be ashamed.
I have made my positions clear (everyone is welcome to ask me about them by emai
ling me at info@electjosephsteinberg.com) -- and if others wish to distort them
or attempt to wreck my reputation through lies, then those actions reflect their
values, not mine. I will not degrade myself by stooping to the level of my detr
actors. I have conducted my entire campaign with honesty, integrity, and honor -
- and, if elected, that is how I will serve you and the rest of the people of Te
aneck. No campaign is worth compromising my beliefs or values.
I hope that you will vote for me on Tuesday because you vote based on facts, not
rumors, and also because you want to be represented by someone whom you can be
proud to call your Councilman. I have a proven track record vis-À-vis enhancing
efficiency and cutting costs, and if you elect me, I will not only work hard to
fix our collective financial situation and achieve long-overdue property tax re
lief, but, will do so in a fashion that brings honor to the Jewish community and
to all the people of Teaneck.
I appear on line six on the ballot. Polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM on Tuesday,
May 11.
Please forward this message to your friends and neighbors. Thank you very much.
Shavua Tov.
Joseph Steinberg

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Joseph Steinberg for Teaneck Council
Competent Leadership for Financial Sustainability
www.ElectJosephSteinberg.com
Paid for by Joseph Steinberg for Teaneck Council, 599 Maitland Ave, Teaneck, NJ
07666