Bachmann’s Area Synagogue Snafu Causes Social Media Backlash

After Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) made a controversial appearance at Chicago’s Anshe Emet Synagogue last week during Yom Kippur, some took to social media to voice their frustrations—not at the politician, but the rabbi.

Rabbi Michael Siegel of the Lake View synagogue followed standard protocol of introducing a public figure in attendance by greeting Bachmann during the Oct. 25 service, according to the Chicago Tribune. However, many others at the synagogue did not take kindly to the introduction of the conservative candidate on what’s considered the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people.

Bachman has not only voiced her strong opposition to gay rights, but has also been a supporter of Israel. And according to the Huffington Post, the night’s service at the synagogue in the heart of the LGBT-friendly Boystown community included a segment honoring Israel’s progressive LGBT community.

“Shame on Rabbi Siegel for welcoming bigot Michele Bachmann to Anshe Emet on Yom Kippur.”

While some walked out of the service, the Tribune reports, others took to social media. People left messages on Anshe Emet Synagouge’s Facebook page, and the popular social site Reddit was flooded with more than 400 comments on the topic.

“Shame on Rabbi Siegel for welcoming bigot Michele Bachmann to Anshe Emet on Yom Kippur,” wrote Perry Gold on the synagogue’s Facebook wall. “You can't welcome a bigot without condoning bigotry. Rabbis, as leaders in the community have a responsibility to stand up to bigotry--instead Rabbi Siegel of Anshe Emet Chicago welcomes an active bigot. Especially, on Yom Kippur, when Jews atone for sins, an active bigot should not be welcomed in the community."

And on Reddit, a user named “puck342” claims to have attended Anshe Emet Synagogue while growing up, writing he thinks Bachmann may have been confused when attending the LGBT-friendly place of worship.

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“This was the shul I went to my entire childhood, and still attend when I'm back in Chicago,” wrote puck342. “Maybe she didn't understand what the words 'Conservative Synagogue' meant. Anshe Emet is located right up alongside Boys Town; a historically gay neighborhood in Chicago, and has always had good, respectful relations with that community, as well as being firmly committed to tolerance, diversity, and acceptance. Like all good Jewish values these are not practiced ad absurdium, but rather up until the point where one is called upon to tolerate intolerance.”

Rabbi Siegel did not return Patch’s calls for a response.

Offline, people also began lashing out against Bachman. Capaign workers with Jim Graves, Bachmann's Democratic opponent in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, told the Tribune they saw a 400 percent increase in campaign donations from the Chicago area last week.

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