September 28, 1999

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America -- the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization -- criticized a new art exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum of Art which features items offensive to Christians. The "Sensation" exhibit, set to open Saturday, includes a painting of the mother of Jesus splattered with dung.

Orthodox Union President, Dr. Mandell Ganchrow, issued the following statement in connection with the exhibit’s expected opening:

The Orthodox Jewish community sadly joins with religious and civic leaders of New York in decrying yet another instance of cultural pollution in our midst. While we respect and recognize America’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, we also believe that just because something is said to be "art" it is not immune to moral criticism. Displaying a religious symbol splattered with dung is deeply offensive and can hardly be said to have any redeeming social or artistic value. Today, the offense is perpetrated against a Christian symbol; tomorrow, it might be a Jewish ritual item, and then of another faith. At a time when our moral environment seems to be evermore at risk, all responsible citizens must stand up and express their indignation at this offensive exhibition.

Moreover, we support those civic leaders who have questioned whether public funds should support this exhibition. Just as public funds should not subsidize the pollution of our air, rivers and earth, the Orthodox Union believes that taxpayer monies should assiduously avoid supporting cultural pollution. The right of free expression enjoyed by the "artist" is not a right to a government check.

The Orthodox Union is a Jewish community leader in the fight against cultural pollution and has worked with congressional leaders and other civic organizations to combat debasing media messages in the entertainment media and on the internet.

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Comments? Requests? Questions?

Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Department of Public Relations Sharyn Perlman, Director Main Office: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Phone: 212-613-8321 Fax: 212-564-9058 E-mail: media@ou.org

OUPR Archives Recent statements to the press Articles and statements from 1998  are available here...