Chabad – which arguably has more alcoholics and drug addicts per capita than any other hasidic sect, due in large part to its more than liberal use of alcohol at Shabbat and holiday meals, shul kiddushes, hasidic gatherings known in Yiddish as “farbrengens,” and in its high school-level yeshivas – wants to get you stoned. But law enforcement in Aspen, Colorado is far from pleased.
Above: Rabbi Mendel Mintz
Get Stoned At Chabad: Chabad Center Offers Marijuana-Based Art Classes
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Chabad – which arguably has more alcoholics and drug addicts per capita than any other hasidic sect, due in large part to its more than liberal use of alcohol at Shabbat and holiday meals, shul kiddushes, hasidic gatherings known in Yiddish as “farbrengens,” and in its high school-level yeshivas – wants to get you stoned. But law enforcement in Aspen, Colorado is far from pleased.
A series of painting classes scheduled for the new 19,000 square foot Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen, Colorado was cancelled late last week, one day after Chabad began promoting them, the Aspen Times reported.
The “Art with Mary Jane” classes “welcome and encourage” the use of cannabis during the classes, Chabad’s promotional material said. (“Mary Jane” is an old slang term for marijuana.)
“I want people to experience the joy of creating art with the guidance and instruction of a professional artist, and if they choose to indulge in a now-legal substance, why not? Sometimes with the aid of marijuana it’s easier to follow your bliss while creating. Of course, it’s not required, and we welcome people just to come for a class,” Chabad’s event announcement issued by Suzanne Horwich, the director of arts programs at the Chabad center, said.
According to a report on the pot-infused classes published the day before they were cancelled, the Aspen Times reported that Horwich told the Times she had suggested the pot-infused classes both to Rabbi Mendel Mintz and to the Chabad center’s board. She pitched the classes as a new outreach tool and as a derivative of popular wine-and-art classes.
“They were supportive of doing something groundbreaking,” Horwich said of Mintz and his board – so supportive that they also decided to offer the pot-based art classes for private parties and corporate events.
Horwich told the Times Chabad had cleared the pot-based classes both with its lawyer and with local law enforcement before publishing the announcement.
“That [claim] was a surprise to us,” Debbie Quinn, Aspen’s assistant city attorney, reportedly said, noting that Aspen’s city code prohibits any public or private club or business from allowing marijuana to be smoked, eaten or otherwise used on its premises.
Mintz cancelled the classes the day after the Aspen Times’ report was published and tried to put the blame on Horwich.
“It wasn’t properly vetted. And it’s not something we’re comfortable doing in the community. We just got ahead of ourselves,” Mintz reportedly said.
[Hat Tip: The Lion.]