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Ronn Torossian

Shame on the 92nd Street Y!

Lenin described people who work against their people’s own best interests in support of their enemies “useful idiots” and indeed these would today be kind words in describing the behavior of Manhattan’s 92nd Street Y. Alice Walker is all over the news asking world famous singer Alicia Keys to boycott Israel because Israel is practicing “apartheid” against the Palestinians.A few months ago, this Pulitzer prize-winning author refused to allow for her classic novel The Color Purple to be published in Hebrew.  

One doesnt need to be a Public Relations pro to know that these words and acts are damaging to Israel and the Jewish people. Naturally, any sane Jew, or Jewish organization would condemn Walker and stand loudly and proudly against her.

Yet, the 92nd Street Y, which claims to be a Jewish center, hosted her as a guest speaker last night.  They claim to be “providing a range of opportunities to connect with Jewish life, culture and tradition at every stage of life.” One may ask why that “stage of life” or culture involves providing forms to those who bash and slam Israel? Of course, they had earlier invited Roger Waters of Pink Floyd – another one who calls for a boycott of Israel to speak.

Walker says Israel “is guilty of apartheid and persecution of the Palestinian people.”In a 2012 interview, Walker said that Israel is “stealing so much Palestinian land, they have essentially stolen all of Palestine.” She claimed that Israel is the biggest terrorist in the Middle East.

Harvard professor Ruth Wisse says “the rapid demoralization of Jews in the face of anti-Zionism… shows the depth of the influence of the past, for many have yet to achieve the simple self-respect that has been eluding the Jews collectively since the dawn of modernity.”

Shame on the 92nd Street Y.

About the Author
Ronn Torossian is the Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer of 5WPR. Headquartered in New York City, the firm is one of the 25 largest independent public relations firms in the United States. 5WPR has been named “PR Agency of the Year” by the American Business Awards; and Ronn Torossian is the winner of the Silver Stevie Communications, Investor Relations, and PR Executive of the Year of the Year Award by the American Business Awards. Ronn’s book, “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations,” received rave reviews. He is a member of the prestigious Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and is an active board member of a number of non-profit organizations. Ronn Torossian is a frequently sought after communications expert, often appearing on FOX News, CNBC, Huffington Post, Time Magazine, and other major media outlets. He resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his family. Email: rtorossian@5wpr.com Facebook: Ronn's Facebook Twitter: Ronn's Twitter Page