Board\’s concern over unkosher sausage images in Jewish area
The Board of Guardians of British Jews has raised concern over the way a Virgin Trains poster is currently being displayed in a popular Jewish area.
The poster located in the lower end of Golders Green Road in north West London and directly opposite a parade of Jewish and kosher shops shows large images of sausages.
“We have had over 125 phonecalls since this poster went up,” said Board director of communications Shirley Bloom. “People have been concerned over the image which looks like that of a pork sausage. Had it been a beef sausage, we wouldn\’t have such an issue, but being pork, it brings memories of when McDonalds had a poster of a bagel with bacon inside it and displayed that to the Jewish community. We were offended then and we are offended now. It is not right or proper that large images of traife products are blatantly shown in such a vile manner in what is a large and popular area with the Jewish community.”
When the Board contacted Virgin Trains, a spokesperson refused to reveal the source of the meat on the poster. “These sausages are for the traditional British breakfast we serve, we also offer vegetarian options.”
The Board has now issued a formal letter to Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson in which it asked for the removal of the poster and a clarification as to the meat content. The Board has further suggested that, like his airline Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Trains should also offer pre-booked kosher meals on the train.
“The Jewish community has always had good dialogue with Sir Richard Branson and his businesses, ever since we raised concern over the way in which his artist Sid Vicious used to wear a Nazi emblem,” said Board president Harry Greenberg. “Sid apologised to us in 1977 and used part of his proceeds from My Way to set up the Sid Vicious Jewish Music Foundation which to this day is still supported by the music industry including Sir Richard. We don\’t know what has happened with the train poster going up, but it needs to go down.”