Congregant's bashing of Christ Church does not reflect center's views, he says
By Rob Jennings, Daily Record
ROCKAWAY TWP. -- The "Open Letter to Jews" written by an opponent of Christ Church's plan to build what would be one of the largest churches in the state does not reflect the views of the author's congregation, according to a rabbi at the Chabad Center.
Rabbi Asher Herson, who said he hasn't formed an opinion on Christ Church's plan, said that Craig Maier's "Open Letter to Jews" on the Internet and subsequent public statements "have no place in a public forum."
"I do not want to create an impression that we endorse or even tolerate that perspective," Herson said. He added that he held off on repudiating Maier in the hope that he would retract his remarks.
Maier, who is a congregant of the Chabad Center, wrote in his letter that Christ Church was a "cult" and church members would "harass us with their perverse thinking" if the church is allowed to build in the township.
Maier's message was posted on The Rockaway Township Free Speech Message Board, which is available as a link from the Voices of Rockaway Township Web site. The Voices of Rockaway Township is a local civic group opposed to the Christ Church building plan.
In an interview on Tuesday night, Maier said his Internet post was not anti-Christian but "anti-fundamentalist Christian."
Maier, who is Jewish, said evangelical Christian teaching that only those who accept Jesus Christ may enter heaven reflected prejudice against his faith.
Herson said Maier's statements "in no way expresses my view or the view of my center."
The center is a synagogue and education center and one of two synagogues in the township.
"He thinks they're out to get him," Herson said. "I don't know why he feels so strongly about it. He feels personally threatened. I don't feel it's reasonable to get that excited, but that's how he feels."
Christ Church spokesman Marc Weinstein, who previously expressed disappointment that town and community leaders were not repudiating Maier's statements, complimented Herson.
"The church is very pleased that Rabbi Herson has taken a stand against Mr. Maier's comments. We hope that other religious and community leaders in Rockaway Township will follow suit," Weinstein said.
Maier responded on Thursday afternoon by saying that he respected Herson's opinion and was only speaking for himself.
"I'm just a schmuck who put something on an Internet bulletin board," said Maier, who added that he would not retract his Internet post.
Mayor Louis Sceusi and Council President Joseph O'Connor did not return phone calls on Thursday.
Councilman Max Rogers said the silence of public officials should not be construed as an endorsement or acceptance of Maier's comments. Rogers said that municipal attorney Edward J. Buzak warned that any public statements might become part of a lawsuit.
"I do not agree with Mr. Maier's comments. I will say that. Beyond that, I cannot speak," Rogers said.
Buzak did not return a phone call on Thursday.
The Montclair-based, 5,000-member Christ Church's proposal to build a 3,000-seat sanctuary, a private K-5 school and other facilities at the 107-acre, former Agilent Technologies site on Green Pond Road has generated enormous local opposition. A sixth public hearing will be held later this month.
"This is not a religious issue. I am Christian. Some of my closest friends are Jewish," Rogers said.
Herson, who spoke favorably of Maier in a news story last Friday, said he was approached by some Chabad Center members over the weekend.
Herson said he wanted to make it clear that he was not disowning Maier.
"We love Craig Maier," Herson said. "He's a wonderful person."
Herson said he spoke some time ago with Christ Church's pastor, David Ireland, and was undecided about the building plan.
"We feel very close to all our neighbors, whatever their religious denominations," Herson said.
Herson said that's why he decided to speak out on Maier's comments.
