Unveiling the Truth Behind the Bklyn Bookstore that “Did Not Want a Zionist” On its Stage

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a startling and unexpected turn of events, the Powerhouse Arena bookstore in Brooklyn found itself at the center of a heated controversy this week after a rogue employee unilaterally canceled a Jewish author’s book launch, as was reported on Thursday in the New York Posy.  The decision, which was reportedly motivated by the moderator’s pro-Israel views, has sparked widespread debate and raised questions about bias, censorship, and the responsibilities of those who curate public discourse.

Our statement on Tuesday night’s incident. pic.twitter.com/gvZ79lTPL9

— POWERHOUSE Arena (@POWERHOUSEArena) August 22, 2024

The controversy began when Joshua Leifer, a liberal writer, was informed that his book launch event at the Dumbo-based bookstore had been abruptly canceled. The reason? The store’s manager at the time, Hannah Hayes, allegedly objected to the pro-Israel stance of the event’s moderator, Rabbi Andy Bachman, The Post report said.  According to a recording taken by Leifer, Hayes justified the cancellation by stating that the bookstore “did not want a Zionist” on their stage, effectively labeling Bachman’s views as unwelcome in the space.

This decision, which came just a week before Hayes was set to begin a new position at a nearby bookstore, left many, including the bookstore’s owner, Daniel Power, baffled and outraged. Power, who described Hayes as previously “apolitical” and “milquetoast,” expressed shock at her actions, calling them completely out of character, according to the information provided in The Post report.  He noted that her decision had come as a surprise to everyone else at Powerhouse Arena, who were left wondering, “Where the hell did this come from?”

Powerhouse Arena quickly moved to distance itself from Hayes’ actions, issuing a statement on Thursday that condemned the cancellation as a “grossly misguided” and unilateral decision, as was reported by The Post.  The bookstore clarified that Hayes had acted independently, without the knowledge or consent of the designated events managers responsible for the planning and logistics of such events.

“This was so out of character,” Power reiterated in his statements to the press. As per the information contained in The Post report, he emphasized that Hayes’ actions were in no way reflective of the bookstore’s policies or values, pointing out that she had abused her position by taking control of the event in a way that was neither authorized nor appropriate.

Initially, Powerhouse Arena had placed the blame for the event’s cancellation on Leifer’s publicist, based on information that Hayes had provided. However, The Post report said that as more details emerged, it became clear that Hayes had misrepresented the situation, leading Power to retract his earlier statement and acknowledge the bookstore’s role in the debacle.

“She just said the publicist canceled. Turns out that’s probably not the case,” Power stated, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. The Post report indicated that in a public statement on social media, Powerhouse Arena condemned Hayes’ actions, labeling them as “unequivocally and blatantly wrong.” The statement emphasized that the incident “does not define us,” and Power took immediate steps to rectify the situation by terminating Hayes’ employment.

Hayes, who was set to leave Powerhouse Arena the following week for a new position at a nearby bookstore, did not respond to The Post’s requests for comment. The revelation that Hayes had taken a job at a competing bookstore less than a mile away has led Power to consider whether he should inform her new employer about the incident, although he has not yet made a decision.

The cancellation of Leifer’s book launch and the subsequent fallout have reverberated beyond the confines of Powerhouse Arena, sparking outrage across the political spectrum. As per The Post report, New York City Councilman Lincoln Restler, a progressive figure, was among those who condemned the bookstore’s initial decision. “Our neighborhood bookstores should be home to healthy debates and divergent viewpoints,” Restler tweeted, calling the cancellation “deeply hurtful.”

Leifer, for his part, has expressed a mix of disappointment and appreciation in the wake of the controversy. While his publication week did not go as planned, he acknowledged the bookstore’s efforts to take responsibility for the situation. Noted in The Post report was that he and Bachman have since arranged to hold a forum at a new venue in Brooklyn next week, where they hope to engage in the conversation that was originally planned for Powerhouse Arena.

“I hope everyone who planned to attend the original event will come out to hear our conversation,” Leifer said.

As Powerhouse Arena moves forward from this controversy, the focus will likely shift to rebuilding trust with its community and ensuring that future events are handled with the integrity and openness that the bookstore has long been known for. The incident, while unfortunate, offers a critical lesson in the importance of honesty, responsibility, and the need to safeguard spaces for healthy, respectful discourse.