County unites for Yom HaShoah

Media error does not reflect true values of our community

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) for Hebrew Year 5782 began on Wednesday, April 27 and ended on Thursday, April 28.

In their Thursday edition, The Times, a small newspaper in Noblesville, listed Holocaust Remembrance Day on their front page under the heading, “Wacky Holiday Today,” along with National Cubicle Day and National Superhero Day.

While The Hamilton County Reporter trusts this was an unintentional error, the mistake has caused an uproar across Hamilton County.

The Reporter has received numerous requests from public and private citizens asking us to speak out about the level of respect our county truly has for the Jewish community and how that is not reflected in the other newspaper’s (hopefully) accidental listing of the day as anything other than the solemn remembrance of those who suffered and died in the Holocaust.

Mistakes happen; we understand that. Some mistakes can reflect poorly on our community and on local media. We trust The Times staff will apologize to Hamilton County for their error and try to make amends.

In today’s edition of The Reporter, you will find statements from many of our community leaders expressing their support and respect for our Jewish friends and neighbors, as well as the many diverse groups that choose to call Hamilton County home.

The Reporter stands with them and hopes our readers know we are proud to be Hamilton County’s Hometown Newspaper and we welcome all people who choose to live, work, play and raise their families here.

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Statements from Elected Officials and Concerned Citizens

“Mocking Yom HaShoah and minimalizing Holocaust Remembrance Day only contributes to the larger problem of antisemitism that is on the rise in our country. While I don’t think The Times intended to be offensive, it’s my hope this serves as a lesson for their editor, other staff and even independent contributors to The Times. Noblesville is a diverse community that deserves to have better representation in local media. And at the very least, an apology from The Times for how they dishonored Yom HaShoah.

“I’m proud of how others in the community have reacted with equal shock and disgust. And I feel supported by those who agree that remembering the Holocaust and honoring the Jewish resistance against the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany is important no matter your religion or where you come from. We should all stand against indifference, intolerance and hate.”

– Steve Cooke, former Deputy Mayor of Noblesville

 

“This situation is very concerning and highly disrespectful. We would hope that any organization in Noblesville that serves or communicates with the public would have profound understanding of the importance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, for individuals in Noblesville and throughout the world.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time this media outlet and this editor has fallen short in providing accurate, objective, and thoughtful information to the public. We have a diverse population in Noblesville, and we are becoming more diverse every day. We stand against intolerance or disrespect of any of our residents.

“A newspaper’s editor is ultimately responsible for what is published. The Times and its editor owe the community and its readership an apology, an explanation, and a commitment to do and be better.”

– Chris Jensen, Mayor of Noblesville

 

“We must remember the Holocaust so we recognize what can happen when democracy fails. We must remember the six million people that were murdered simply because of their ancestry and faith, so that such atrocities never happen again. We must teach our children this history so that it is never repeated.”

– Jim Brainard, Mayor of Carmel

 

“There is nothing ‘wacky’ about the remembrance of one of the worst crimes against humanity in our history. The reference demonstrates either ignorance or a malice toward people that should not be condoned.”

– Scott Fadness, Mayor of Fishers

 

“That is a sad and shocking statement that deserves an immediate explanation and a sincere apology to all readers, especially those of the Jewish faith.”

– Chris Proffitt, Westfield Director of Communications

 

“Victims and survivors of the Holocaust should never have their suffering trivialized. The purpose of Yom HaShoah is to remember the Holocaust. It is a time to educate ourselves and our youth about this horrible event in order to make sure that these atrocities never happen again.”

– D. Lee Buckingham II, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney

 

“It’s disappointing that The Times has put out such disrespectful and outlandish information. It’s unacceptable that an organization would allow this to be sent out in our community, let alone a ‘news’ publication.”

– Christine Altman, Mark Heirbrandt & Steve Dillinger, Hamilton County Commissioners

 

“I listen on Sundays in Church about the importance of showing grace as part of our belief system. The Holocaust is a somber reminder of the horrors of hate and antisemitism. I do not believe the paper or anyone associated thinks it is wacky. I hope that this is a mistake.”

– Ken Alexander, Hamilton County Council, District 4

 

“My first thought when seeing that listed is: ‘Why would they do that?’ We must always remember how horrific the Holocaust was if for no other reason so that it never happens again.”

– Fred Glynn, Hamilton County Council, District 1

 

“It is unfortunate that mistakes are made that cause deep hurt to the residents of our County. Holocaust Remembrance Day is important so that the atrocities of the past are not repeated. A mea culpa about downgrading the significance of this holiday is in order.”

– Sue Maki, Hamilton County Council, At-large member

 

“This is why I did not advertise in their paper for our business or my County Council campaign. I am ashamed to see this in a newspaper in our community. Not a good paper, not a good read.”

– Steve Schwartz, Hamilton County Council, District 3

 

“The Holocaust was Nazi Germany’s deliberate, organized, state-sponsored persecution and machinelike murder of approximately six million European Jews and at least five million prisoners of war and other victims.

“Lisa and I stand with of our Jewish friends and with the Jewish people everywhere. Together, we lament what men once did as an affront to God.”

– Mark F. Hall, Candidate for Hamilton County Council, District 3