Something strange happened at the Jewish Community gathering in Tiburon last Monday. Apparently two (or more) people were escorted off the event and at least one other person got arrested for “trespassing”, even though the mass invitation (attached) advertised a  community “discussion” of the Gaza conflict between Palestine and Israel.  No rsvp was required to attend the event. But apparently, only those in support of Israeli actions were allowed inside the Kol Shofar Synagogue. The invitation failed to mention that part, which got a lot of people upset and pissed off.

So my friend Jordan Livingston, a Bay Area filmmaker, who also happens to be both Jewish and an Israeli citizen, was excited to come and “discuss” the issue. Little did he know that shortly after his arrival, while waiting in the security screening line, he’d be escorted off the event simply because he was talking to someone who had a folder with flyers saying something about “A Jewish state forced into a multi-ethnic region is violent-state-racism.”

Jordan’s mother, who was saving him a seat inside, called him on the phone wondering why he’s not coming.  Once she learned what happened, she went to ask the security officers why her son was escorted off the event and was told not to ask questions or she’d be asked to leave too.

Outraged and pissed off, Jordan sent a public email letter (also attached) to his friends and media describing what happened.  Here is an excerpt of it:

“With multiple police officers quickly descending, we were immediately told to leave the premises. My friend politely asked “Just because I posses these [ideas]?” The security chief answered bluntly, “Yes.” My friend then asked, still with utmost respect in his tone, “Is this event supposed to be a dialog?” “No,” the security chief replied, gruffly. “No more talking.” “WOW!” I exclaimed. “We were under the impression that this would be a public discussion…” my friend started. “This is private property. It's not a discussion. No more talking.” “Unbelievable,” was all I could get out. “No more talking,” the security chief repeated. The police then took over. “Alright, you two have to go right now,” one of them said. “Come on, start walking.” another added. My friend and I were subsequently escorted off the premises, with the clear understanding that further speaking or protest of any kind would have led to our immediate arrest.”

At least one other person who was already inside was arrested for refusing to leave. Moremarine.com ran an article in which they said “According to Jim Geraghty of Marin Peace and Justice, the man who was arrested was identified as David Rubinson, although no one- including Mr. Rubinson- are quite sure why he was singled out.  A woman sitting near Rubinson said that a member of the Congregation pointed him out to security officials.”

I was shocked to hear all this, so I requested the organizers to comment. And they did.

The Jewish Community Relations Council maintained that they had a good reason for escorting people off the event.

Susan Berns representing the organizers wrote back to me in her email: “The event at Kol Shofar was intended to be a peaceful and spiritual evening for supporters of Israel, thus it was called a Solidarity Gathering and was held in a religious sanctuary.  One of the individuals who was escorted out was recognized as a person who was there to disrupt the event (the other one was with him).  He had sent out an email calling for people to attend Jewish services and disrupt them.”

Jordan Livingston and “his friend” Dave Kersting,  the man with the flyers, a well respected Tiburon resident, denied sending any email or intending to disrupt the event.  Jordan, continued in his public email letter:

 “My friend and I we were not ejected because of any actions taken or words spoken. We were not asked to 'leave the flyers' at the door. We ere ejected for simply having certain views; for possessing 'evidence' that our personal beliefs were in conflict with the one-sided agenda of the event's organizers. We didn't cause any disruption whatsoever (my friend hadn't even handed out any flyers!). Furthermore, I didn't even have any flyers myself, nor had I yet read my friend's flyer at that point in time! I was ejected for merely knowing somebody who had differing views! This was the single most flagrant display of un-American censorship and fascism that I have ever personally experienced!”
 
Susan Berns with Jewish Community Relations Council, when requested, did not provide a copy of the email where the intent to disrupt the event is shown.

Many people involved posted comments to the MoreMarin.com article, expressing the views they were not otherwise able to express during this gathering.

Photos by MoreMarin.com

Security guarding the event

the
Kol Shofar Synagogue

Police arresting a man at Jewish Community meeting at

the
Kol Shofar Synagogue