By: Fern Sidman

A growing controversy has engulfed the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) in Pleasantville, New York, following an alleged anti-Semitic outburst by an employee at the center. As reported by the DailyVoice.com on Tuesday, the incident occurred shortly after the JBFC announced a special upcoming screening of the documentary “OCTOBER 8” – a film that confronts the disturbing and significant escalation of anti-Semitism across American college campuses, social media, and public life following the October 7th Hamas terror attack in Israel in which 1200 were savagely murdered.

The center, a cultural institution known throughout Westchester County, revealed on Friday, March 28, that it would be screening OCTOBER 8 later in the spring. The documentary, according to its official website, shines a spotlight on the surge of anti-Semitic sentiment and hostility that began just one day after the Hamas-led massacre of Israeli civilians.

However, what should have been a straightforward announcement was quickly overshadowed by a deeply troubling comment posted publicly on JBFC’s Facebook page. According to the report at the DailyVoice.com, a woman claimed that her parents—who were eager to secure tickets for the screening—were subjected to an openly anti-Semitic verbal attack by a staff member. “They were told by the clerk that he would NEVER sell tickets to this movie,” the commenter wrote. She added that the employee proceeded to accuse them of being “killers” and launched into what she described as “an anti-Semitic tirade.”

The commenter closed her post with a direct challenge to the organization’s leadership: “Care to comment? They are waiting to hear from management.”

In response, the Jacob Burns Film Center posted a carefully worded apology on Facebook: “We’re very sorry to hear about your family’s experience. Please know that we take your feedback seriously and are looking into the matter. Our goal is always to provide a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone in our community. Thank you for your patience. Tickets for this event will go on sale beginning Monday, March 31. We apologize again for this experience.”

Still, the apology has done little to quell the public’s outrage. As reported by DailyVoice.com, social media platforms lit up with calls for accountability. “They better fire that clerk. That’s disgusting,” wrote one user. Another commented, “It’s discrimination. I’m so upset this is happening in our community.” A third response captured the overall mood succinctly: “Infuriating and disgusting. Very sorry you experienced this.”

Local and national attention to the situation escalated when Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) weighed in on Monday, March 31. In a strongly worded social media statement cited by DailyVoice.com, Lawler condemned the film center’s apparent failure to vet its staff:  “I am appalled that the Jacob Burns Film Center did not engage in due diligence in their hiring process. This is a complete slap in the face to the Jewish community in the Hudson Valley,” he said.

The controversy comes amid a broader national reckoning over anti-Semitism, which has seen a sharp rise in reported incidents since the Israel–Hamas war reignited in October. The film “OCTOBER 8” seeks to bring this pernicious trend to the forefront through interviews, footage, and firsthand accounts of the backlash Jewish students and individuals have faced in the United States.

The JBFC, which has long branded itself as a haven for community dialogue, multicultural programming, and the arts, now finds itself at the center of a firestorm. The claim that one of its own employees refused service based on a film’s content—and that he allegedly hurled anti-Semitic insults while doing so—has raised serious questions about the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and safety for all community members.

As of this writing, the DailyVoice.com has reached out to the Jacob Burns Film Center for further comment and clarification. It remains unclear whether the clerk involved is still employed at the center or whether any disciplinary action has been taken.

The film OCTOBER 8, meanwhile, was scheduled to begin ticket sales on Monday, March 31, with the exact screening date to be announced later this spring. For many in the Westchester Jewish community and beyond, the film’s themes may now feel more urgently personal than ever before.