Taxi transformé en synagogue into a true worship temple

Mardi, 8 juin 2010

UN TAXI TRANSFORMÉ EN SYNAGOGUE

Photo : Globe and Mail

Autre preuve du laisser-aller au chapitre des accommodements raisonnables, un chauffeur de taxi juif se croit dans son droit de transformer son taxi en véritable synagogue.

Daniel Rolland

Dans la dernière édition du journal Métropole, nous avons présenté une caricature dépeignant le cas du chauffeur de taxi d’origine juive qui, à cause d’un emploi du temps trop chargé, a décidé de transformer son véhicule de travail en véritable temple de prière.

Stéphane Maestro

http://www.lametropole.com/article/actualites/actualites/un-taxi-transforme-en-synagogue

Taxi transformé en synagogue into a true worship temple

http://www.lametropole.com/article/actualites/actualites/un-taxi-transforme-en-synagogue

http://www.lametropole.com/article/actualites/actualites/humour-et-liberte

Lundi, 9 août 2010

HUMOUR ET LIBERTÉ 

Dans la dernière édition du journal Métropole, nous avons présenté une caricature dépeignant le cas du chauffeur de taxi d’origine juive qui, à cause d’un emploi du temps trop chargé, a décidé de transformer son véhicule de travail en véritable temple de prière.

Stéphane Maestro

À l’égard de cette parution, nous avons reçu plusieurs courriels de membres de la communauté juive de Montréal, da la rédaction du quotidien The Gazette et même du réputé magazine américain Forbes (New York), nous accusant littéralement d’antisémitisme et de racisme. On nous reproche entre autres de présenter les membres de cette importante communauté comme le faisaient les Nazis lors de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. Si nous avons choqué les membres de la communauté juive par cette caricature, qui se voulait avant tout humoristique, nous nous en excusons vivement et sincèrement. Tel n’était pas notre but.

Une caricature a pour principal objectif de présenter un élément de l’actualité de façon humoristique, en exagérant certains traits des personnages ou la situation dans son ensemble. Si l’actualité nous avait suggéré de dessiner un Québécois francophone en vacances, peut-être aurions-nous utilisé une caricature similaire à celle qui avait été publiée dans un quotidien de la Floride, il y a quelques années, montrant un homme avec une « grosse bedaine de bière débordant de son maillot de bain avec une casquette des Expos ». Vous savez cependant que tous les Québécois francophones n’ont pas cette allure.

Taxi transformé en synagogue 

Je suis persuadé que vous comprenez mon point de vue. Depuis près de quatre ans, sous la plume de notre caricaturiste, Métyvié, nous nous sommes payés la tête de plusieurs personnalités publiques : le maire de Montréal, Gérald Tremblay, à maintes reprises, le premier ministre du Québec, Jean Charest, et bien d’autres. Jamais nous n’avons reçu de demandes de rétractation ou d’excuses suite à la parution d’une caricature. Nous comprenons les positions des minorités visibles montréalaises et nous n’exprimons aucun sentiment de nature raciste envers elles. Nous vivons dans une réalité démographique où se côtoient plusieurs communautés : juive, musulmane, chrétienne, haïtienne, italienne, polonaise, grecque, et j’en passe.

La cosmopolité de Montréal n’a jamais été aussi marquante qu’elle l’est aujourd’hui, en 2010. L’actualité sera donc forcément animée par cette cosmopolité et, par conséquent, pourra faire l’objet d’une de nos caricatures.  Il faut toutefois garder bien en vue que nous demeurons dans un pays où est prônée la liberté (ce qui fait du Canada un pays si attirant). Si notre caricaturiste s’amuse à accentuer les traits physiques d’un membre d’une communauté visible, quelle qu’elle soit, il ne faut y voir qu’un clin d’œil humoristique et amical. 

HUMOR AND FREEDOM 

In the last issue of the Metropole newspaper, we presented a caricature depicting a taxi driver of Jewish origin who, because of a too busy schedule, has decided to convert his working vehicle into a true worship temple.

Regarding this publication, we received several emails from members of the Jewish community in Montreal, and even from a columnist of the famous American magazine Forbes (New York), literally accusing us of anti-Semitism and racism. Among other things, we are being blamed for portraying members of this important community as Nazis have done it during the Second World War. If we shocked the members of the Jewish community with this caricature, that we intended funny first and foremost, we truly and sincerely apologize. That was unintentional.

The main purpose of a caricature is to present in a humorous way a piece of news, by exaggerating certain features of the characters or the situation as a whole. If the news had suggested us to draw a French-speaking Quebecker on vacation, perhaps we would have used a caricature similar to the one that was published in a Florida daily a few years ago showing a man with a “large beer paunch too large for his bathing suit and wearing an Expos’ cap”. However, you know that all French-speaking Quebeckers do not look like this. I am sure that you understand my point of view.

Over nearly the last four years, through the pen of our caricaturist, Métyvié, we made fun of several public figures such as Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay on several occasions, Jean Charest, Quebec’s Premier, and many more. We never received any requests of retraction or excuses after publishing a caricature.

We understand the position of the visible minorities from Montreal and we do not feel any racism towards them. We live in a demographic reality where several communities are living together, such as Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Haitian, Italian, Polish and Greek, to name but a few. The cosmopolity of Montreal was never as obvious as it is today, in 2010.  Current events will inevitably become animated though this cosmopolity and, consequently, might become the subject of one of our caricatures. However, it is necessary to remember that we live in a country that promotes freedom (which makes Canada such an attracting country). If our caricaturist has fun exaggerating any of thephysical features of a member of a visible community, one should see this only as a humorous and friendly wink.

Taxi transformé en synagogue

Taxi transformé en synagogue

Ce ne sont pas les caricatures qui dictent ou influencent l`opinion publique .C `est la réaction démesurée de ceux qui en font les frais.Les complexes de persécutions sont navrants.L`holocauste a été un crime indescriptible contre le Juifs , on ne peut le nier. Il faut, sans pour cela l`oublier , cesser de s`en servir à toutes les sauces..Un peuple incapable de rire de lui même est en bien piètre état. Miche – 9 août 2010 Along the lines of the muslim with a bomb on his head, it seems this caricature that conjures up racial stereotypes is a sad representation of the common denominator humor that the cartoon is meant to depict. At risk of seeming overly sensitive, the hebrew persons are amongst the most funny and self ridiculing persons on the planet. In any case, perhaps it is time to review the stereotyping of non-jews and non-other persons in quebec ie ‘quebecoise’ persons. What do you imagine would be in the cartoon, besides cartoons of everyone else? lol jay – 10 août 2010 The actual photo of the taxi driver in his cab shows a good reason for the taxi inspectors to find fault with the unacceptable clutter in his cab. However, from what I can see, the cab is far from a synagogue. There is no difference between a francophone cabbie having a St. Christopher medal and a Quebec flag, or a Jew with a Mezuzah and an Israeli flag. This newspaper should know that the images portrayed in both the cartoons depicted in this article are offensive to Jews. As a Quebecois, I find the cartoons lacked good judgment. OZ – 10 août 2010 Yes, the LONG NOSE, ‘PASCHER’ sign are clearly racist. Yet they never learn do they? The bye-bye series, other cartoons, just a sick backward population. If a cartoon appeared with Rene Levesque in a negative light, like when he ran over a homeless man, or when he admited he HATES the English and wishes to discriminate against them with a law, the bill 101 nazis would be up in arms. If Howard Galganov , Mordecai Richler speak the truth about the hate, racism and illiegality of bill 101, the Quebecois press are up in arms. Such sick racist hypocrites!!! When will ths population grow up? I Can’t wait until Quebec separates…good luck without my money and that from Alberta and Saskatchewan. Human Rights – 10 août 2010 M. Maestro, you make the comparison with the Quebecois depicted in Florida…not the same at all. The Quebecois always had their full rights, they were never killed or exterminated. There was never any law banning their language or way of life. The Jews were killed big time. The English have Bill 101 exterminating their community. GROW UP!!! Human Rights – 10 août 2010 Dear Human Rights, You should probably review you Canada history. In 1837-1838, Patriots were hung because they were fighting for their language and their rights. And Louis Riel? Does that name tell you something? Do you seriously think that Bill101 is their to exterminate English speaking people from Quebec? If so, you do not understand anything at all. Bill 101 is there to protect our language in a continent where is English is every where. Canada is supposed to be a bilingual country. Lets just try to be served in French in the Western provinces. Mission impossible!!! Richard – 10 août 2010 Cher Monsieur Maestro, Cet caricature est definitivement anti-sémitique. Vous écrivez: “Si notre caricaturiste s’amuse à accentuer les traits physiques d’un membre d’une communauté visible, quelle qu’elle soit, il ne faut y voir qu’un clin d’œil humoristique et amical.” Les Nazis ont dessinés des juives de même manière, avec des gros nez, dans leur journal Der Sturmer, avant de leur tuées. C’est un myth que les juifs ont des nez comme ça. Les nez de beaucoups de canadiens-francais sont beaucoup plus larges.Deuxiemement, a part les hassidim, les juifs ne sont pas une communauté visible, comme les noirs ou les asians. Il n’y a aucun raison d’accentuer les nez sauf pour de mettre de l’huile sur le feu. Un peu de sensibilité envers vos voisons juives s’il vous plait. The long hooked nose is unadulterated anti-Semitism, and they should not be let to get away with feigning innocence of a so called exaggeration. No exaggeration was here but measured and precise anti-Semitism Mardoché – 10 août 2010 It seems many people are confusing Stereotype and Racism. Historical reason (Nazism) may well explain an extreme sensibility to ethnic description by another group. Knowing that sensibility we should be cautious. Not because we are afraid of a polemic but only because we don’t want to hurt our neighbor. At the same time our neighbor should acknowledge their sensibility and see when there is no intention to insult and no harm meant. Our culture is one of respect and peace. Making fun of things, peoples and groups including French Quebecers is part of it. Look at the number of Humorists, Just for Laught festival, etc. There is no single target. It is INCLUSIVE! In a way, not making fun of only one group or two would be racist! O.k. to remember the past because we want to protect the future! But also, “that was then, this is now”. fred – 10 août 2010 From the desk of: MITCHELL L. SHADOWITZ Dear Mr. Stephane Maestro The Cartoon that appears below your article in your July 2010 Edition- is repugnant. It is an example of classic anti-Semitism that could be considered typical of the media of the Third Reich. It has no place in Montreal, Quebec or Canada. It is beyond freedom of press, fair comment and expression. It is an expression of hate. If you are unfamiliar with all the examples of anti-Semitic stereotypes expressed in your cartoon – then you need an education. Unless of course it was deliberate? It is not possible to consider it fair comment. I would hope that you address this issue immediately and responsibly. Shame on you and your publication. Mitchell – 12 août 2010 Dear Editor, I was appalled to see the disgraceful and anti-Semitic cartoon in your paper. There is no room for this ugly characterization of a group of people that is an integral part of our city’s make up. A retraction, an apology and explanation is owed to your readers. Thank you. Cielo Carin. Montreal Cielo Carin – 12 août 2010 Sir I presume that you have begun receiving letters/emails from people concerning the cartoon which depicted a Jewish taxi service. This cartoon appeared to remind one of a type of material that would have been popular in certain societies some time ago. A very exaggerated depiction that is only hurtful. I believe that you should write an apology designed at promoting and maintaining peace and harmony in our (wonderful) society. I trust you comprehend and I wish you a good day. Warren Saks – 12 août 2010 i recently saw this editorial cartoon – what is the point being made ? that a man wants to have some photos or pictures in his car and is fighting with the commission-he happens to be jewish – I may agree that no one should turn their taxi into their office – as they are to provide a clean environment for someone to sit in… this has nothing to do with being Jewish – it is his personal comment, not his religious position that is being debated. How many taxis have I entered that had a Madonna or Christ or some other ‘figurine” mounted on the dashboard – these are religious statements, his is not. Why do you think it is necessary to satirize a complete religion – to make what point ? and G-d forbid an english paper used such satire during St. Jean Baptiste holiday….. Mark Lazar – 12 août 2010 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Dear Sir ; My name is Dave Klauber, I am the child of Holocaust Survivors. It has been brought to my attention, that your tabloid ran an anti-Semitic cartoon in your last issue. I would ask you to refrain from such rhetoric and immediately issue a retraction and an apology to the Jewish Community at large, and all minorities in Montreal. I would suggest that you and your colleagues better inform yourselves regarding the act of “hate mongering” as this is a prosecutable offense in the province of Quebec and in the country of Canada. This type of “cartoon” depicting a “JEW” was commonplace in the 1930’s and 1940’s, during the “Third Reich” era. It resulted in the persecution of millions of innocent people Jews and Non-Jews alike. It takes only one act of prejudice to get the “proverbial” ball rolling. In the future might I suggest you “pause’ and “think” about whom you are targeting with this form of blatant prejudice. I Remain yours, “DISGUSTED”. Dave Klauber Dave Klauber – 12 août 2010 Dear Stéphane Maestro Polo, I’m sure that as the Editor of La Metropole it is not your purpose to spread hate. However, you should know, and you can easily substantiate that: The cartoon you recently published depicting the Jewish taxi-driver is indistinguishable from the caricatures printed almost daily in the Völkischer Beobachter (“People’s Observer”), a newspaper utterly devoted to the Nazi Party in Germany from the 1920s until the fall of the Third Reich in 1945. I simply ask that you answer to your own integrity, once you recognize the age-old slander to which you have been a party. Yours sincerely, Michael Carin – 12 août 2010 Dear Sirs, I am shocked and appalled by your cartoon featuring a religious jew with a taxi. How could you possibly publish such an insulting cartoon that characterizes the jew in a manner not dissimilar from the anti-semitic grotesque pre-World War II period of Nazi Germany? Shameful indeed and a toxic wound to the Jewish community which has contributed so much to our collective community. So ugly. So sad when one considers those who through previous decades perished in the wake of such blatant poisonous hatred. I trust that an apology to all your readers is coming very soon. Your truly, Jacques J.M Shore – 12 août 2010 I am born and still live in Montreal.To see this disgusting anti semitic cartoon in your paper makes me sick.You must come out with a statement and retract this piece of garbage David Tock – 12 août 2010 Dear Sir, Using religious symbols, personalities, and stereotypical anecdotal phrases is not wise nor necessary to prove your editorial argument. It is hurtful and should be retracted. Bill Silverman – 12 août 2010 The anti-semitic cartoon that appeared in your newspaper is a disgrace, and warrants a prompt and full apology. There is no reason why the residents of Montreal should be exposed to this kind of hate mongering. Ron Vineberg – 12 août 2010 Dear Editor, I am appauled by your anti-Semitic caricature and I will make my feelings known to each of your advertisers if there is no retraction printed. This is not what I expect in Montreal in 2010….Maybe in Germany in 1940. Get responsible and print a retraction. You should be ashamed of your paper. I will never look at your paper the same way again. David Puterman – 12 août 2010 Some of you people were made with a finger . The recent cartoon is distasteful ..yet your mindsets never understand . You are truly common . Vancouver,BC M.H. Lemish – 12 août 2010 Je viens de voir la caricature dans votre journal. La caricature qui montre un juif avec son taxi est très offensif non seulement aux juifs mais à tous montréalais. Je voudrais savoir pourquoi vous pensez que c’est drôle de caractériser un peuple dans cette façon negative et anti-sémite. Je veux vous demander de faire une rétraction et une apologie. Ce n’est pas acceptable qu’un homme dans votre position puisse être si ignorant et si insensible. Je vous invite de visiter le Centre Commémoratif de l’Holocauste à Montréal pour vous éduquer et vous sensibiliser au sujet de l’histoire des juifs. J’attends toujours une réponse. Marla Schuster – 12 août 2010 Dear Editor, Your anti-Semitic “cartoon” in the editorial section of your July 2010 publication sickens me! Are you located in Montreal or Nazi Germany?? You should be ashamed of yourselves. You have made me ashamed to set foot in a city that propagates such disgusting stereotypes. I hope that your advertising dollars dry up and you find yourself delivering real newspapers instead of publishing unreasonable facsimiles thereof. David Suraski – 12 août 2010 Dear Editor, I cannot tell you how shocked I was to see the anti-Semitic cartoon you allowed to have printed in your paper. I am not Jewish and I don’t live in Montreal; however, if I lived in Montreal I would be ashamed that this once great city has fallen to such low standards of propriety. I would expect better from people in your position, in this day and age. The only conclusion I can come to is that you are an anti-Semite and therefore, ignorant of the historical facts that produced such hatred. You are in desperate need of a good education, as I see it. Katherine E. Goodyear – 12 août 2010 J’étais choqué par le caricature dégoutant sur page 4 de votre édition de juillet. Cette sorte de racisme n’appartient pas de notre ville ouverte et tolérante d’aujourd’hui. Michael Gutwillig – 12 août 2010 Sirs, Why did you publish that ugly cartoon in the July 2010 issue of your publication, La Metropole, which depicted a Jew in a so-called steriotypical light? What purpose did it serve except to upset the Montreal Jewish population and help to alienate this vibrant society from the rest of Quebec. Shame on you! Sally Blajwajs – 12 août 2010 Gentlemen, Since I read your La Metropole, you send me on line daily, I was appalled at what I saw on the editorial page. This is blatant Anti Semitism and I am ashamed that this kind of thing still goes on in Montreal and news media. Please no longer send me your Infoletre. Peter Nemes – 12 août 2010 Dear Sir, I am a great admirer of editorial cartoons. However, I have to admit to being saddened by your example of the Jewish man getting into the Taxi. I am currently reading the novel LA Trilogy Berlinoise which takes place in Berlin in the 1930′s. The anti-semetic climate was so depressing; I keep asking myself “did no-one speak u?/” I am now speaking up!! Barbara Lafreniere Barbara et Raymond – 12 août 2010 Stephane, I’m going to write in English because I presume that a smart guy like you is bilingual. That said, I really don’t see the humour in the cartoon you ran below your July 2010 editorial. While your article certainly makes sense, I fail to see the humour in suggesting that entering a cab driven by a driver who is clearly and openly a Hassidic jew is like going to synagogue! Or am I missing the point here? Did the cartoonist mean to suggest something else? Perhaps that a jew who is also an entrepreneur has nefarious intentions? Either way, this cartoon is unfunny. Unfunny enough to reek of anti-jewish sentiments. Bottom line, doing business with jews has nothing to do with religion. This cartoon also does a disservice to the hardworking jews and other visible minorities who drive cabs. Whether my driver is openly christian, muslim, seik or jewish, black or white, English for French, born here or abroad, as long as the car is clean and the driver knows where he’s going, I’m happy to pay for the service. You owe these hardworking people an apology. Susan Abramowitz – 12 août 2010 Monsieur: Je viens de prendre connaissance de la caricature parue dans le numéro de juillet de La Métropole au sujet du chauffeur de taxi juif. Monsieur, vous devriez avoir honte de propager l’image d’un juif qui serait plutôt convenable d’une revue allemande de la période des nazis. Racisme de la sorte n’est pas acceptable dans notre société libre.Vous devriez présenter vos excuses non seulement à la communauté juive mais à tous les québécois et québécoises. K. David Brody – 12 août 2010 I find it shocking and appaling in this day and age to see the blantant anti-semetic cartoon in your newspaper. To what purpose could this type of negative stereotyping and labeling against Jewish people possibly serve? As the editor of this newspaper to incite prejudice, and hatred against any peoples is totally not acceptable and incredibly hurtful and harmful. A full apology should be immediately forthcoming for a very bad decision. Helen Segal – 12 août 2010 Dear Editor: CONGRATULATIONS !!!!. You have succeeded in illustrating the true feelings of Quebec towards their Jewish residents. By the way, are you aware that on a per capita basis, Jews pay more taxes to support French Candian welfare bums than any other ethnic group?. Did you know that the Jewish General Hospital mainly supported by Jewish financing caters to patients of whom 73% are French Canadians and other non-Jews?. You must be very happy indeed that the most important Metro Transfer Station in Montreal, (Lionel Groulx) is named after a Hitler supporter of the 1930′s. Are you aware that the biggest CEGEP in Montreal, André Laurendeau is named after a Bloc Populaire leader who was a miserable fascist and supporter of Mussolini. Did you know that Lambert Closse, the street where the old FORUM is situated is named after Montreal’s most famous Jew-hater. MY French-Canadian friends are all very intelligent but unfortunately represent a very small minority of francophones who have any brains, in this province. As a loyal Canadian, I would be happy if Quebec separates. Within 3 years it would become America’s Northern Banana Republic, equal to the Southern one, Mexico. Quebec deserves nothing better. “Plus ca change, plus ca reste pareil”,…….M.L. Mortimer Levy – 12 août 2010 To the editor I am not Jewish, but an Anglophone who has lived in Quebec for over forty years. I love Quebec and Quebecers and have friends in many of the diverse communities that make living here such a pleasure. My children are all bi-lingual (although I grew up in Calgary). My eldest son teaches French at Kings College London and uses Quebecois art, culture and film rather than culture from France to teach his students. I am saddened and appalled that you would print a cartoon with such disgusting images. As an Anglophone, I have rarely experience discrimination (unless we are in the midst of a referendum!). It is my hope that you will apologize for this affront to the Jewish community who contribute so much artistically and financially to the culture of Quebec. I am reeling with anger and disappointment. Shirley A. Walker – 12 août 2010 Monsieur Stéphane Maestro Polo, Je réside à Montréal depuis 48 ans, j’aime le caractère cosmopolite de notre ville, et la cohabitation pacifiste de ses communautés muticulturelles qui l’enrichissent et lui confèrent sa personnalité attrayante Votre editorial qui parle de transport, de stationnement… est une réalité ou presque pour le monorail! Mais pouvez-vous me dire le rapport entre votre article et la caricature ajoutée (inadmissible) au caractère discriminatoire et d’un racisme dangereux. J’aimerais lire prochainement dans votre journal vos excuses publiques à l’endroit de ce proupe dont je ne fais pas partie. Jean-jacques Guyot – 12 août 2010 I’ve been asked to pass this along. A number of people were ahead of me, but I deleted some names. Relaltive to the letter I am passing along, I wonder why I have never seen a mention by anyone, anywhere, about the original story referencing the taxi driver with Jewish symbols in his cab to the effect that other drivers have prominently displayed worry beads, rosaries and crosses. What is the truth about why the authorities have selected one particular driver for harassment? Sheila Mediena – 12 août 2010 Dear Editor, You may not get it but this is exactly kind of antisemitic cartoon that was published in Nazi Germany and the Arab press today. You should be ashamed of yourself. Would you tolerate that kind of cartoon depicting Quebecois or Blacks? Is this what an open and inclusive Quebec society is about? A decent and responsible newspaper would apologize publicly for this. Murray Dalfen – 12 août 2010 Dear Editor, I am emailing you to let you know how disgusted I am with the anti semitic cartoon published in your paper. This vile depiction of a religious jew, is the same type of stereotypical hate propaganda that was passed out in nazi germany! You should be completely ashamed of yourselves for publishing this racist material, and be aware of the grave repercussions it will bring to your paper. I will personally contact the presidents of the companies (many who I know personally) who advertise in your paper to cease running their ads. I will also make sure that both you and your paper are exposed publicly for printing this type of material. Regards, Sean Dalfen – 12 août 2010 Below is what you wrote to a friend of mine explaining your position on the very distasteful anti-Semitic cartoon you printed: “As you can see, we highly consider your comments regarding the caricature published in our July issue. Never, since the foundation of this newspaper, were we associated to any racist contents or opinion, and never will be. But, living in a country which promote free expression allows any newspaper our magazine to publish any comments our image to picture the news.” Since you believe in promoting “free expression”, I should very much like to see if you would have the same high standards of allowing your newspaper to print the Danish cartoons depicting Mohammed which caused such a furor. Or would that offend Muslims, who would then no doubt take you before the Canadian Human Rights Commission? Somehow Jews always seem to be fair game. There is no justification whatsoever in printing such a repulsive cartoon and insulting the Jewish community. Their generous and continuing contribution to this City and this Province has been huge and you have no right to insult them. Westmount, QC Valerie Price – 12 août 2010 Cher Maestro, Je vous écris à toute hâte car je viens de voir la caricature qui apparaît dans votre numéro de juillet 2010. Je ne suis probablement pas la première à vous le faire remarquer et vous ne l’avez peut-être pas fait exprès mais cette caricature est vraiment anti-sémite dans le sens qu’elle s’inspire de stéréoptypes haineux dignes de l’Europe des années 30. Je ne me limiterai pas cependant à vous faire des remontrances mais je veux vous offrir mon aide en tant que spécialiste en relations inter-culturelles et ancienne directrice du Conseil canadien des Chrétiens et des Juifs. Si à l’avenir vous avez un doute lors de la publication d’un dessin semblable à celui-ci (qu’il s’agisse de Juifs, Musulmans, Chrétiens, ethnies, etc.), veuillez communiquer avec moi et il me fera plaisir de vous offrir mes conseils gratuitement. Voici les stéréotypes négatifs: a) le long nez (typique de la propagande allemande), b) la présomption que tous les juifs sont des “hassidim” affublés de “peos” alors que ceux-ci représentent un faible pourcentage du judaïsme (c’est comme dire que les catholiques sont tous des bérêts blancs), c) le “pas cher, pas cher” qui vient renforcer le préjugé que les juifs sont des arnaqueurs. Le tout est d’assez mauvais goût et par surcroît n’a même pas la vertu d’être drôle. Moi j’aimerais bien qu’on ne vienne pas renforcer le stéréotype négatif que “tous les Québécois sont des antisémites”. Merci de porter attention à cette missive. Louise Guay, M.A. (études juives) et animatrice de radio Louise Guay, animatrice – 12 août 2010 Dear Sir, Just a brief note to tell you how thoroughly upsetting I found your recent editorial cartoon regarding the above subject. This is the 21st century and I believe you owe all your readers, and all Montrealers for that matter, an apology! Your so-called cartoon was in poor taste and reeks of anti-semitism. Surely to God, I sincerely hope realize that by now! Respectfully submitted, Gene Peretz – 12 août 2010 Would you please explain why you would print this awful charicature. Len Bennet – 12 août 2010 Mon dieu, ou est-ce qu’ on s’ en va? Une caricature, ça exagère les traits de quelqu’un ,les caractéristiques, peu importe sa race, son allégeance, et personne n’ est épargné! Nous sommes tous des adultes(enfin, je crois). Si on est pas capable de rire de soi, on a un sérieux problème!! Je n’ai entendu aucun québecois qui se plaigne, ou N’IMPORTE QUEL AUTRE PEUPLE SUR LA TERRE, EXEPTÉ LES JUIFS ne s’ en plaint. C’ est vraiment très sérieux!!! Des représentant de la communauté juive en plus, mettons hassidique dont on veut absolument se dissocier, en passant,nous disent: le journal la métropole a reconnu son erreur et va publier des excuses et bla, bla, bla,…..On aurait du lire: On est désolé d’avoir fait un dessin, et fait des grimaces! c’ est-tu assez bébé a ton gout ça? «On va retourner jouer dans la cour avec nos camions et on fera plus de dessins avec le petit voisin parce qu’ il pleure tout le temps quand on lui montre.»Tant qu’a réagir en bébé! Je déplore tout de même que ces réactions de certains membres de la communauté Juive qui se sentent attaqués rejaillissent sur les membres de toute la communauté: il faudrait peut-être que des gens plus responsables et matures puissent représenter cette communauté! Belle Gueule – 12 août 2010 Réagissez à cet article.

La métropole

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Mardi, 8 juin 2010

UN TAXI TRANSFORMÉ EN SYNAGOGUE

http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lametropole.com%2F&anno=2 

Autre preuve du laisser-aller au chapitre des accommodements raisonnables, un chauffeur de taxi juif se croit dans son droit de transformer son taxi en véritable synagogue. Other evidence of neglect in terms of reasonable accommodations, a taxi driver Jew believes in its right to convert his taxi into a real synagogue.

Daniel Rolland Daniel Rolland

Parce qu’il passe 14 heures par jour au volant de son taxi, Arieh Perecowicz, un homme de confessionnalité juive, estime que son véhicule de travail est comme sa maison, et qu’il a le droit de faire ce qu’il veut à bord, notamment d’exprimer sa croyance comme bon lui semble. Because he spends 14 hours a day at the wheel of his taxi, Arieh Perecowicz, a man of Jewish denomination, believes that his work vehicle is like her home, and he has the right to do what he wants to board of expressing his belief as he sees fit. Le taxi controversé est effectivement représenté par tous les symboles de la religion juive, mini parchemins accrochés de chaque côté de la voiture, photo du rabbin ainsi que celui de sa conjointe. The taxi controversy is effectively represented by all the symbols of the Jewish religion, mini scrolls hung on each side of the car, picture of the rabbi and his wife. Un véritable sanctuaire roulant. A sanctuary stock.

Or, le règlement 98 de la loi du taxi est très clair à ce chapitre : nul ne peut exposer dans un taxi des objets à caractère religieux ou personnel. However, Regulation 98 of the Law of the taxi is very clear in this chapter: no one can explain things in a taxi to religious or personal. Comme il est contrevenant, l’homme âgé de 66 ans a reçu pour 1400 $ en contraventions, qu’il conteste en cour municipale. As the offender, the 66-year-old man received $ 1,400 in tickets for that contest in municipal court. Selon ce qu’il avance, en 44 ans de métier il n’a jamais fait l’objet de plaintes de la part de clients. According to what he says in 44 years of experience he has never been the subject of complaints from customers. En revanche, il s’est plaint à la Commission des droits de la personne des pressions des autorités qui violent sa liberté d’expression religieuse. However, he complained to the Commission on human rights pressure from the authorities which violate his freedom of religious expression. La cour municipale devra trancher dans cette cause type. The municipal court must decide in this test case. L’homme doit comparaître à nouveau en août et en décembre prochain dans cette affaire. The man must appear again in August and December in this case.

http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lametropole.com%2F&anno=2

Monday, August 9, 2010

HUMOUR ET LIBERTÉ

HUMOUR ET LIBERTÉHUMOUR AND FREEDOM

Dans la dernière édition du journal Métropole, nous avons présenté une caricature dépeignant le cas du chauffeur de taxi d’origine juive qui, à cause d’un emploi du temps trop chargé, a décidé de transformer son véhicule de travail en véritable temple de prière. In the latest edition of Metropolis, we presented a cartoon depicting the case of the taxi driver of Jewish origin who, because of an overloaded schedule, has decided to transform his work vehicle in real temple of prayer .

Stéphane Maestro Stéphane Maestro

À l’égard de cette parution, nous avons reçu plusieurs courriels de membres de la communauté juive de Montréal, da la rédaction du quotidien The Gazette et même du réputé magazine américain Forbes (New York), nous accusant littéralement d’antisémitisme et de racisme. With respect to this issue, we have received several emails from members of the Jewish community in Montreal, da writing The Gazette, and even the renowned U.S. magazine Forbes (New York), literally accusing us of anti-Semitism and Racism . On nous reproche entre autres de présenter les membres de cette importante communauté comme le faisaient les Nazis lors de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. We are accused, inter alia, introduce the members of this important community as did the Nazis during the Second World War. Si nous avons choqué les membres de la communauté juive par cette caricature, qui se voulait avant tout humoristique, nous nous en excusons vivement et sincèrement. If we have offended members of the Jewish community by this cartoon, which was intended primarily humorous, we apologize deeply and sincerely. Tel n’était pas notre but. This was not our goal.

Une caricature a pour principal objectif de présenter un élément de l’actualité de façon humoristique, en exagérant certains traits des personnages ou la situation dans son ensemble. A cartoon’s main objective is to present an item of news in a humorous way, by exaggerating certain traits of character or the situation as a whole. Si l’actualité nous avait suggéré de dessiner un Québécois francophone en vacances, peut-être aurions-nous utilisé une caricature similaire à celle qui avait été publiée dans un quotidien de la Floride, il ya quelques années, montrant un homme avec une « grosse bedaine de bière débordant de son maillot de bain avec une casquette des Expos ». If the news had suggested we draw a francophone Quebecer on holiday, perhaps we would have used a cartoon similar to that which had been published in a newspaper of Florida, a few years ago, showing a man with a “big beer belly full of her bathing suit with a cap of the Expos. Vous savez cependant que tous les Québécois francophones n’ont pas cette allure. You know however that all French-speaking Quebecers do not have that look.

Taxi transformé en synagogue Taxi transformed into a synagogue 

Je suis persuadé que vous comprenez mon point de vue. I am sure you understand my point of view. Depuis près de quatre ans, sous la plume de notre caricaturiste, Métyvié, nous nous sommes payés la tête de plusieurs personnalités publiques : le maire de Montréal, Gérald Tremblay, à maintes reprises, le premier ministre du Québec, Jean Charest, et bien d’autres. Jamais nous n’avons reçu de demandes de rétractation ou d’excuses suite à la parution d’une caricature. For nearly four years, under the pen of our cartoonist, Métyvié, we paid the head of several public figures: the Mayor of Montreal, Gérald Tremblay, on many occasions, the Premier of Quebec Jean Charest, and many others. We never received any requests for withdrawal or an apology following the publication of a caricature. Nous comprenons les positions des minorités visibles montréalaises et nous n’exprimons aucun sentiment de nature raciste envers elles. We understand the positions of visible minorities in Montreal and we express no sense of racist towards them. Nous vivons dans une réalité démographique où se côtoient plusieurs communautés : juive, musulmane, chrétienne, haïtienne, italienne, polonaise, grecque, et j’en passe. We live in a demographic reality which combines several communities: Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Haitian, Italian, Polish, Greek, and so on.

La cosmopolité de Montréal n’a jamais été aussi marquante qu’elle l’est aujourd’hui, en 2010. The cosmopolitan city of Montreal has never been as prominent as it is today, in 2010. L’actualité sera donc forcément animée par cette cosmopolité et, par conséquent, pourra faire l’objet d’une de nos caricatures.  Il faut toutefois garder bien en vue que nous demeurons dans un pays où est prônée la liberté (ce qui fait du Canada un pays si attirant). The news will be necessarily driven by the cosmopolitan and, therefore, may be one of our cartoons. However, keep in mind that although we live in a country where freedom is advocated (which makes Canadian country so attractive). Si notre caricaturiste s’amuse à accentuer les traits physiques d’un membre d’une communauté visible, quelle qu’elle soit, il ne faut y voir qu’un clin d’œil humoristique et amical. If our cartoonist likes to accentuate the physical features of a member of a visible minority, whatever, we should see a wink humorous and friendly.

Taxi transformé en synagogue Taxi transformed into a synagogue

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Paper+apologizes+cartoon/3379772/story.html

Paper apologizes for cartoon

Depiction of Hasidic cabbie was meant to be an exaggeration, not offensive 

By BEATRICE FANTONI, The Gazette August 10, 2010  

MONTREAL – A Montreal newspaper says it did not mean to offend the Jewish community by printing a cartoon depicting a Hasidic Jew with a taxicab, but nonetheless defended itself yesterday, saying a cartoon is meant to be an exaggeration of the characters and the broader situation, and anyone could be the subject of one.

The cartoon, which was published in the July 2010 issue of La Metropole, depicts a Hasidic Jew calling to passengers from his cab, labelled Taxi de David: “Come in! May Yaveh be with you …” The headline of the cartoon reads: “A taxi transformed into a … synagogue?”

By definition, a cartoon is meant to be an exaggeration, said Richard Marcil, editor-in-chief of La Metropole. “We saw nothing offensive in it,” Marcil said of the cartoonist Metyvie’s drawing. It was meant to raise questions about a local news event and was not published with anti-Semitic sentiment, he said.

The cartoon refers to the story of Montreal cab driver Arieh Perecowicz, who was fined $1,400 by the Montreal Taxi Bureau for having too much stuff in his cab, including photos of his family and his rabbi, mezuzahs (prayer parchments), a poppy and a Canadian flag, among other things.

Perecowicz is now suing the city for damages, saying the bylaw, which restricts the display of objects not required for the taxi to be in service, is discriminatory and that he was singled out for having Jewish religious objects in his cab.

Perecowicz is not a Hasidic Jew, but he does believe in God, he said. He told The Gazette he had not seen the cartoon.

Throughout July, members of Montreal’s Jewish community wrote to La Metropole and complained to the province’s Jewish advocacy groups, saying the cartoon is anti-Semitic and offensive.

“The stereotype of the Jew with the long hooked nose and the side curls is something you would see in 1930s Germany, not something you would see in a 21st-century Canadian newspaper,” said Moise Moghrabi, the vice-president of B’nai Brith Canada. “It’s reminiscent of a different era.”

Marcil said he received more than 30 complaints from readers about the drawing. An apology was published on La Metropole’s website yesterday. It also will be printed in the August issue, which comes out tomorrow.

“We’re pleased that La Metropole was so quick to react and recognize their error in judgment,” said Adam Atlas, president of the Quebec Jewish Congress.

The cartoon is offensive, Atlas said, because it reinforces the stereotype that Jews are miserly (the sign on top of the cab has the website URL http://www.pascherpascher.com- as in “pas cher,” or inexpensive) and that they have long noses. In addition, Atlas said, only 13 per cent of Montreal’s Jewish population is Hasidic.

A cartoon may not have been the best way to tackle the issue of religious symbols and cluttered cabs, said

John Miller, professor emeritus in the School of Journalism at Ryerson University and an expert in journalism ethics.

“All media, as our cities become more cosmopolitan, have to learn how to respect people of different faiths and ethnicities,” he said on the phone from his home near Toronto. The public reaction to this cartoon is healthy and also is instructive for La Metropole’s editors, he said.

However, the best way to handle a situation like this involves more than an apology and an explanation of the cartoon, Miller added. “(La Metropole) should publish a range of opinion in their pages and thoroughly air (the issue) out,” he said. “What the public is crying out for here is a dialogue.”

Marcil said the August issue of La Metropole does not reproduce the complaints he received, but he said the editors are considering publishing some of them on the newspaper’s website.