By Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO— Morris Casuto, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, contends that San Diego CityBeat columnist Edwin Decker stepped over the line of taste and fairness in a column ridiculing certain practices of  Orthodox Jews. Casuto's organization has asked its members as well as those of other Jewish organizations in San Diego County to write letters to the periodical in protest.

In an e-mail sent to Jewish leaders, organizations and media of San Diego County, Casuto contended that Decker's column, "Sordid Tales," requires a response from the community to the alternative weekly newspaper.  Here is the text of his letter, addressed to "dear colleagues":

It has come to our attention this afternoon that Edwin Decker's column "Sordid Tales" in CityBeat should be insulting to the entire Jewish community. We have attached a link below so you will have the chance to read this disgusting column yourself. 

http://www.sdcitybeat.com/article.php?id=4131

In it you will find a disturbing perception and rather vile portrayal of the Hasidic community's alleged view of Jewish women.  Although directed at Hasidic Jews, this negative representation affects our entire community. 

Our Associate Director, Tina Malka, spoke with David Rolland, the editor of CityBeat.  When she told him the Anti-Defamation League had received scores of complaints, his response was that he "doesn't care if it is offensive to Jews."  He went on to say that "progress happens through conflict" and it is the job of his reporter, Mr. Decker, to be provocative and to even offend in order to start a conversation. 

We suggest that you continue this "conversation" and urge you to write a response to CityBeat. Your letter should be strongly worded but carefully written. The editor should hear from as many of your constituents as possible. You can send your response to editor@sdcitybeat.com.

In a follow-up interview, Casuto was asked if the language of Decker's column or his opposition to such Orthodox practices as gender separation were considered offensive.  The ADL director responded that what  "we intend to do is share with the publisher that you can write things questioning whatever you want.... but this was done in the most vile and demeaning way."  In particular, he said, the comment about the "gerbil" was grossly offensive.

(That comment presented jewishsightseeing.com with an interesting choice.  Should we reprint the paragraph so everybody would know what Casuto was talking about, and thereby compound the perceived  offense?  We decided not to use the language in question ourselves, but to note that anyone who wants to read Decker's article and decide for themselves may do so via the link printed above.)

Told that Decker is a poet and  "gonzo" journalist in the tradition of the late Hunter S. Thompson, whose language often goes beyond the bounds of what is considered appropriate in standard journalism, Casuto responded: "There is a difference between taking on an entire group or faith versus taking on an individual."  Whereas an individual can sue a journalist if he feels his or her character has been defamed, "there is no group libel in this country."   

In his column, Decker told of reading a quote in Rolling Stone from the singer Matisyahu that he fears his refusal to shake the hands of females "comes off as disrespectful."  Decker contended the practice not only "comes off" as disrespectful, but in fact is.  Then he went off on what bloggers call a "rant" against Orthodox practices, missing, in the process, that it is not only Orthodox men who decline to shake hands with women, but also vice versa.  Orthodox teachings concerning modesty strongly discourage physical contact between persons of opposite gender.

Jewishsightseeing by email has requested an interview with Decker.  It also has offered to print  letters on the CityBeat controversy to make certain that Jewish community voices are heard in one forum or another.