The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabbonim, with a membership of over 950 Orthodox Rabbis — praises the Wall Street-based Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce in their support of the grand opening of Asher Caffe and Lounge in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles against anti-Semitic protest.

In recent weeks, Asher Shalom, the Israeli born proprietor of the Asher Caffe, has been the target of a vicious boycott campaign by those who have attempted to quash free speech, cloaking their anti-Semitism in political activism.

Mr. Shalom, an immigrant who escaped Iran after the Islamic Revolution, exercised his constitutional right of free speech by sharing some tweets by President Trump. He was immediately stigmatized by political opponents and subject to organized demonstrations against his business. According to a reporter on the scene, “the scenes were outrageous, reminiscent of the pogroms of yore.”

“In America, we cannot tolerate the boycotting of any business due to the religion or personal political news of its owner,” said Rabbi Duvi Honig, the founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.

He added, “We are proud to step in and help bring unity and love to this country in a bipartisan manner while helping the café voice its message of peace to the community, loud and clear.”

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, the Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim, said, “We applaud the valiant efforts of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce in standing up to the egregious anti-Semitism to which Mr. Shalom and his café are being subjected. As Jews, we are eternally grateful to G-d for allowing us to enjoy the benefits of free speech and other constitutionally protected rights in this great nation of America. As we also know, freedom is not free, and all of us must exercise vigilance in protecting it each and every day.”

The RAA/Igud continues to pray for the peace of all who desire peace and for all who work to bring understanding and truth to a world so conflicted and splintered. May the One who makes peace in His heavens make peace upon us and upon all Israel, Amen.