Anne Frank House, a museum in Amsterdam whose stated mission is to fight anti-Semitism globally, banned employees from wearing yarmulkes.
The employee in question, Barry Vingerling, was told on his first day of work to remove or cover it with a baseball hat. When he demanded to rightfully know why, officials claimed it “might endanger the museum’s neutrality.”
Let this sink in for a moment: An Orthodox Jew working at a museum named after another Jew who was murdered by Nazis in a concentration camp was not allowed to display a visible sign of Judaism. Absolute, utter insanity!
After months of heated discussion and Vingerling having to apply for special permission, he has finally been “granted” the right to wear it. (As if anyone needs special permission to worship.)
I understand that Europe has a different attitude towards religion than we do here in America, but this kind of behavior is blatant prejudice. Anne Frank’s young life and tragic death are supposed to be honored by the museum that bears her name. Her diary has influenced generations of people, me included, in a very profound way.
Anne was proud of her Jewish heritage and even though she was persecuted literally to death, she never wrote anything negative, always saying that she supported freedom, tolerance, and love. I think she would be sickened by such bias.
If Jewish museums have to pretend to be neutral, it makes a mockery of every victim of anti-Semitism, past and present. If someone chooses to wear a yarmulke, that’s their right and should never be looked down upon. The directors should be replaced immediately because they clearly don’t understand. It’s flat-out impossible to claim that you care about fighting Anti-Semitism if you’re oppressing Jewish worship.
He should sue for discrimination if possible
I’m not sure what the Dutch law is, but it seems like discrimination to me as well. Very wrong.
Male employees should be required to wear one.
I wouldn’t force anyone, but you’d think someone who chooses to work at the Anne Frank museum, of all places, should support Judaism. It’s just crazy to me on every level. The Dutch Jewish community is so small I think they’re afraid to make waves.
You are so fake. Why is it ok for you to rage against hijab and burkas but cry over this? You hate Islam.
That’s totally wrong. I don’t hate Islam or Muslims or any other group. Wearing a small hat on the head is completely different. Yarmulkes, turbans, etc. are NOT same as a Burka or a Hijab. Your comments are not fair and not true.
If i were u I will block this antisemite Leila. She is only spewing hate here.
YES!
I only block people if they repeatedly act abusive. On the slim chance she is confused, I want to set the record straight. I don’t tolerate abuse, but I want people to know that I’m not against Muslims and I don’t censor opposing views. Hope that makes sense.
Hey, if the hijab fits, Leila, wear it!
I don’t understand why she supports a Hijab but is against a yarmulke. Obviously she is the one who is hateful, not us.
How ironic. I wonder if Christian employees there are banned from wearing crosses.
According to the article, no employee has ever asked to wear any religious items—something I find very hard to believe. Of course, a Christian should be allowed to wear a cross and a Jew should be allowed a yarmulke.