Issues and Positions

IPA Leadership Development

OU Reply to NY Times Editor’s Message
August 06, 2007
Editors at the NY Times:

Thank you for your reply.
Frankly, we find it hard to comprehend.

Your "defense" is that Feldman's statements are literally true. But the clear impression Feldman (not to mention the essay's accompanying illustration) wanted to convey - and every reader we know came away with - was that the photo was cropped to exclude him and his girlfriend and no one else.

Moreover, your account of your editorial inquiry into what photos were taken and which was chosen for publication highlights your recognition that this element of the essay is an important one for setting its tone and so you bothered to research the facts.

Feldman strongly conveys the impression that he and his girlfriend alone - not he, his girlfriend and a number of others - were "nowhere to be found" in the photo and the editors let that misimpression stand.

The Times ought to do better than hide behind such a literalist reading - is that the standard by which all your articles are deemed "fit to print"?

For the "paper of record," your reply is most disappointing....... We hope the Public Editor will take a look at this matter as well - we believe an "independent view" is warranted.


Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb
Executive Vice President
Orthodox Union

Nathan J. Diament
Director of Public Policy
Orthodox Union

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