Weinberg says Teaneck councilwoman should have apologized for 'gas chamber' remark

State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) thinks that a Teaneck councilwoman’s “gas chamber” comment was not intended to offend her Jewish colleagues, but that Monica Honis erred by not saying she’s sorry.

“I think it was a slip of the tongue, and I think that she should have immediately apologized,” said Weinberg, who’s not endorsing anyone in her home town’s council race. “And if she didn’t immediately do it, she should have at the subsequent council meeting.”

At a block association meeting on Monday, Honis, who’s up for re-election, said that picking her and not her two running mates would be like sending her “to the gas chamber.” Honis’s Jewish counterparts on the council took offense to that statement, saying that it was an insensitive reference to the holocaust.

Honis said she was referring to capital punishment, not the holocaust. But she refused to apologize, according to the Bergen Record.

Although councilman Adam Gussen called on Honis to resign, Weinberg said that isn’t necessary, since voters can decide whether she’ll stay or go on Tuesday.

“I am very sad for Teaneck from everything I’ve heard about the last two meetings and what seems to be happening, at least amongst some people in terms of community relations,” said Weinberg.