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Northbrook residents criticize library screening of "Israelism"; trustees and president say village did not condone the event
Summary
Several speakers told the board the screening of the film "Israelism" at a library meeting room was antisemitic and caused community harm; trustees and the village president said the library rented space to a private resident and the village did not endorse the screening, apologizing for delayed communications.
Several speakers during the general public-comment period criticized a recent screening of the film "Israelism" that took place at the Northbrook Public Library, calling the program antisemitic and saying it harmed local Jewish residents. Speakers asked the village to acknowledge the screening's impact and to avoid amplifying material that community members find hateful.
Yvonne Schoendorf, who identified herself as a Highland Park resident representing the Chicago Jewish Alliance community, told the board that "anti-Zionism is antisemitism" and urged the village to be transparent about the screening's intent. Marcy Kolbach, speaking on behalf of herself and the Jewish community, said the First Amendment protects speech but does not obligate public institutions to "hand a megaphone to misinformation," and criticized the use of public resources for an event that required street closures and a significant police presence.
President Ciesla and other board members responded that the Village of Northbrook did not show or condone the film; the library room was rented by a private resident with a library card and the village does not govern library programming. Trustees apologized for a delayed public statement from village communications and committed to improving communications going forward. The board reiterated it does not condone antisemitism or hatred of any group.
Ending: Speakers urged greater proactive communication from village leaders when controversial events held in public facilities may cause community harm; trustees said staff would work to avoid future communications lapses.
