Sheehy must reject hatred, antisemitism and bigotry

As representatives of Montana’s diverse and pluralistic Jewish communities, we are disappointed and offended to see hateful messaging in a recent Tim Sheehy for Senate political ad and in public comments by one of Sheehy’s staffers. 

Hate has no home in Montana, and we call on candidate Sheehy and all politicians to reject hatred, antisemitism and bigotry. It’s time to make that a reality every day, and we need all of our leaders to do their part to maintain this great state’s values.  

Sheehy’s campaign ad presents Jewish Senator Chuck Schumer’s face above a pair of  hands manipulating puppet strings over the words “radio, TV, and money.” The imagery  in this ad is blatantly antisemitic. It invokes very old, false conspiracy theories about  Jewish people controlling the media and international banking.

This image and its messages are dangerous and only threaten Montana’s Jewish citizens in a time of rising antisemitism. We are horrified that anyone seeking public office would  promote such material, and the ad should be stopped and renounced immediately. 

Moreover, we recently learned that one of Tim Sheehy’s paid staffers circulated hate speech and supported (by reposting) white supremacist, racist, and anti-LGBTQ views on social media. 

Caleb Oriet, the paid staffer, has said on social media that Black people are “the most criminal, dependent and socially destructive part of the population.” He also leads the Montana chapter of the American Populist Union, which promotes a white supremacist  and neo-nazi platform, including antisemitic, racist, and anti-LGBTQ messaging. 

Montana is bigger and better than these messages. We believe that all Montanans want to live in a state that values the safety and well-being of all its citizens, whatever their faith tradition, race, gender identity or sexual orientation. 

Our leaders have united to denounce antisemitism and hatred in the past and we hope they will do so again. 

In December 2016 Montana’s elected officials–both Republicans and Democrats–united  to issue a statement against hate in our state. What follows are portions of a statement signed by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, (former)Gov. Steve Bullock, and (former) Attorney General Tim Fox.

“…(W)e as Montana’s elected leaders are focused on the values that reflect our true  character. Therefore, we condemn attacks on our religious freedom manifesting in a  group of anti-Semites. We stand firmly together to send a clear message that ignorance, hatred, and threats of violence are unacceptable and have no place in the town of  Whitefish, or in any other community in Montana or across this nation. We say to those  few who seek to publicize anti-Semitic views that they shall find no safe haven here. 

“. . .We will address these threats directly and forcefully, putting our political differences  aside to stand up for what’s right. That’s the Montana way, and the American way…” 

Sheehy can learn from this example and we call on him to immediately discontinue the political ad; apologize to Montana’s Jewish citizens and remove Mr. Oriet from the Sheehy campaign staff. 

All politicians in Montana should join in rejecting hatred, antisemitism and bigotry. 

We need our leaders, and all of Montana’s citizens, to join with us as we all work to uphold  this great state’s values and keep Montana free from bigotry. 

This column was submitted by Rabbi Francine Roston on behalf of and as part of the Montana Association of Rabbis, with members in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula and the Flathead Valley. It’s also written through the support of the Montana Jewish Project.