A follower of a multi-niche blog and newsletter based out of Toronto has unsubscribed after the blog wished its members a happy Chanukah, The CJN has learned.
On Dec. 6, coinciding with the first night of Chanukah, Beyond Bossy, a blog that aims to start a conversation about life, relationships and productivity, posted three photos on its Facebook page that wished its followers a happy Chanukah. A similar message was posted on its Instagram page.
Shortly afterwards, one of its followers unsubscribed from the blog, which was accompanied by a brief email in which she called Chanukah “controversial.” She also advised that the blog “should stay away” from such things because it is “very wrong” to support Israel.
“I just wanted to say that I have been enjoying you guys since day 1 and have loved your weekly email newsletter. I did not think it was one I would end up unsubscribing from,” the email begins.
“Today I’m reading through your usual newsletter and I was surprised to see a big heading wishing people a happy Chanukah. I scrolled through my Instagram feed to see the same. As someone who has adored you guys I was not impressed.
“A lot of people do not celebrate it and I think it is very imposing to assume they do. Also you should stay away from such controversial things. Israel is not the top humanitarian nation of the world right now and I think it is very wrong of you to support it. Your religious beliefs should be kept to yourself.
“Because of this I have unsubscribed and I hope you take this into consideration as you further this brand. Thanks.”
According to the blog’s founder, 21-year-old York University student Julie Ifraimov, the young woman was one of Beyond Bossy’s “first five followers.”
“She was very sweet at first and sent me a positive email saying she loved what Beyond Bossy was doing and couldn’t wait to participate in our next campaign. For past campaigns, she was our most active participant… she even bought one of our products before we even launched!” Ifraimov tells The CJN.
“Why turn a holiday into something so bitter and hateful?”
Receiving her email, then, resulted in a “mix of shock and confusion” for Ifraimov. “I didn’t understand how something as simple as ‘Happy Chanukah to all who celebrate’ and sharing a photo of holiday-inspired décor could blow up into me imposing religion on other people. It’s the holiday season! People wish me a merry Christmas all the time and I say it back gracefully. I see no issue. Why would anyone take the joyous holiday season and turn it into something so bitter and hateful?”
Ifraimov says that Beyond Bossy is not-at-all affiliated with religion or politics. “In order to create an empowering, kind, and community-like setting I decided to stay away from any religious or political orientations. Our followers note that we have a more ‘liberalized’ leaning at Beyond Bossy but I try to keep everything neutral.”
After re-reading the email, she decided to respond via her personal email address, thanking the member for supporting the brand since it launched.
“I am sorry that you felt offended by Beyond Bossy wishing people a happy Chanukah but I am not sorry that we did. It was not in any way, shape or form a controversial post,” she wrote. “We purposely made a point of stating ‘…to all who celebrate’ because we are well aware that not everyone does…..
“Lastly, since you brought it up I will too. Clearly you are not a supporter of Israel. However, I would like to state that no where in the Instagram post or our email newsletter did we mention the country. You have taken something political and turned it into concrete anti-Semitism…..
READ: Protest disrupts York U Chanukah celebration
“I’m sending you this personally because although Beyond Bossy is everyone, I am – in fact – Jewish…..You hold a hatred I can’t grasp and an ignorance that a brand created to empower does not need supporting it….It’s unfortunate that we are losing an original supporter, but I will not apologize for being Jewish.”
Though the woman has yet to respond to Ifraimov’s email, Ifraimov says she has learned a lot from this experience.
“When I shared her email on Facebook, I didn’t think it would’ve gotten anywhere near the response it did. I received so many messages from people telling me they were inspired by my response and that they felt empowered by it. Second, I learned that some people disguise their hate very well but when it comes out, it comes out sharply, especially online.
“Lastly, I learned the importance of standing up for yourself under any circumstance. Don’t let anyone coward you into a timid person who doesn’t stick up for their values and identity. As the saying goes, stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”
To visit Beyond Bossy, which is currently working on integrating a shop aspect to its website, click here.