Powerhouse Arena in DUMBO allegedly cancelled author Joshua Leifer’s book launch because the moderator was a “proud Zionist.”
Rabbi Andy Bachman and Joshua Leifer were set to take the stage at Powerhouse Arena on Tuesday night.A popular bookstore in Brooklyn axed a planned book launch event at the last minute due to the moderator’s views on Israel – with an employee telling the author that they “did not want a Zionist on stage,” The Post has learned.
“We don’t want a Zionist on our stage,” insisted the manager, who was not named in the audio, which was provided to The Post.House committee slams Columbia for giving protesters ‘get out of jail free’ pass: ‘Reprehensible’When Leifer pressed for more specifics about the store’s reasoning, the employee clammed up and said the staffer would address the issue more fully in a phone call with the author’s publicist the next day.
Disappointed readers found out about the cancellation via a sign on the window citing “unforeseen circumstances” – despite the fact that the store had ample time to vet both men, he added. Bachman described himself as a “proud Zionist,” but noted that he opposes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government – including some stances Israel has taken in the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Powerhouse offered to let Leifer take the stage solo, but he demurred in favor of relocating the gathering altogether. “It also was surprising because I wrote a book that’s all about arguments within the American-Jewish community and I thought it would be pretty clear that that argument would involve Zionists as well as non-Zionists. All of this seemed to me like very much in the text so to speak of the book,” Leifer noted.Both Leifer and Bachman said Powerhouse’s decision reflected the tenuous state of Jewish identity in the US, particularly in the wake of the outcry about the Israel-Hamas war.
US News Antisemitism Books Brooklyn Exclusive Israel-Hamas War Judaism Rabbis
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anti-Israel protest rages outside consulate in NYC as Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to CongressAnti-Israel protest rages outside consulate in NYC as Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to congress
Read more »
Columbia restricts campus access as it braces for anti-Israel protests to returnPolice at scene where anti-Israel protestors vandalized Columbia exec’s NYC home
Read more »
Prolific NYC developer and his diplomat wife net $22M for their NYC homeJeffrey Levine and his wife, Randi Charno Levine have successfully offloaded their Greenwich Village townhouse, a brick beauty at 81 Barrow St.
Read more »
NYC weather: Severe thunderstorm watch issued in NYC-areaThe National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in the NYC area on Sunday.
Read more »
Watch: Anti-Israel Protesters Clash with Police, Toss Smoke Bombs After Storming Harris NYC EventSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
14 busted as rowdy anti-Israel protesters descend on NYC rally for VP Kamala Harris: copsProtesters clash with police after storming Kamala Harris campaign after party
Read more »