Local reactions to the Israel-Hamas war have stirred strong feelings from Zionists and pro-Palestinian activists. Underlying their disagreement is Asheville’s history of long-simmering antisemitism.
Tag: Jerry Sternberg
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Letter: Jail annex could help ‘frequent flyers’
“I especially support his recommendation that selected street offenders be housed in the jail’s ‘annex,’ currently unused, next to the jail building.”
Passing the torch: A Jew in Asheville
“Another watershed moment in the evolution of Jewish social acceptance came in 1992, when the Biltmore Forest Country Club accepted its first Jewish member.”
High times in the ’70s: A Jew in Asheville
“For the next 24 hours, we had armed agents guarding the gate and the driveway, and lookouts toting automatic weapons were posted on the roof.”
The turbulent ’60s: A Jew in Asheville
“Meanwhile, despite the new respect that worldwide Jewry received after the war, antisemitism continued to rear its ugly head in Asheville, as demonstrated by two stories that community members shared with me.”
Fighting back: A Jew in Asheville
“Non-Jewish friends and even people I hardly knew were saying things like ‘I didn’t know Jews would fight’ and ‘You guys really kicked those guys’ ass.’”
No admittance: A Jew in Asheville
“In addition to emotional pain and suffering, selective membership based on race, color or religion can result in egregious restraint of trade.”
Letter: Perfect Asheville Monday
“I want to encourage all my Asheville friends who have been disparaging downtown to please come back. It’s beautiful and clean, and you need to be part of all this.”
Letter: Antisemitism persists, even in Asheville
“It shouldn’t have to be that way, but antisemitism is constantly rearing its ugly head, even in liberal Asheville.”
Want affordable housing? Get real
“Until the professed advocates of affordable housing and assistance for the homeless get off their BUTS and honestly attack these issues, nothing significant will happen.”
Ode to the River Queen: The Gospel According to Jerry
“She rode into town on her white steed. And immediately found this silver serpent slithering slowly through the valley, passing the city and sorely in need.”
Overcoming obstacles: The Gospel According to Jerry
“Hopefully, all the dedication, caring, support and love nurtured by the Arthur Edington Center will help these wonderful youngsters survive the racism, crime, drugs and poverty that they encounter almost daily and go on to become professionals, businesspeople and/or social and community workers.”
Adventure stories: Readers and writers share their tales
Xpress readers and writers share their own true tales of adventure — from unexpected encounters with nature to wild career rides and more.
From bigotry to advocacy: The Gospel According to Jerry
“To be honest, it was those very acts of civil disobedience — the lunch counter sit-ins by dignified young Black people, the reasoned speeches of Martin Luther King and the angry voice of Malcolm X — that gradually opened my eyes.”
How much has Asheville really changed? The Gospel According to Jerry
“I remember when the old passenger rail depot, now a restaurant, had a segregated waiting room.”
Birthday fella
A day to remember for Jerry Sternberg
“When governing ourselves, listen to both sides of the argument and take your stand, but remember, efficient government is like walking in a culvert. There is plenty of room on both sides, but the water flows the smoothest in the center.”
Patriotism or bigotry? The Gospel According to Jerry
“You cannot practice racism and bigotry and still call yourself a ‘patriot.'”
This time it’s different? The Gospel According to Jerry
“I could give you a litany of racial injustice incidents that I’ve personally observed over the years.”
Rising to the occasion: The Gospel According to Jerry
“There are some pronounced similarities between World War II and the current pandemic.”
Letter: Bike lanes are about safety
“These efforts are not about forcing people out of their cars or sacrificing traffic efficiency, but better balancing our transportation infrastructure to make Asheville safer for all residents and visitors — including pedestrians and cyclists.”