Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Allegedly Anti-Semitic Billboard Torn Down, Left Behind Next To West Side Highway
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 23, 2011
Modified Nov 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 23, 2011
Modified Nov 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Earlier this week, the Wodka Vodka company slapped up a billboard along the West Side Highway featuring two dogs—one wearing a yarmulke and another in a Santa hat—with the copy "Christmas quality, Hanukkah pricing." The "joke," as if you needed it spelled out for you, is that the Jews like cheap crap while the Goys like paying through the nose for luxury. Immediately after Gawker reported on the billboard's existence, controversy ensued, surprising no one. And that's why you're reading about Wodka Vodka today, even after the billboard was removed. Whoever does their marketing is getting a nice Hanukkah bonus this year!
Ron Meier, the New York regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, promptly fired off a statement calling the ad "crude and offensive. Particularly with the long history of anti-Semitic stereotypes about Jews and money, with the age-old notion that Jews are cheap, to use the Jewish holiday in dealing with issues of money is clearly insensitive and inappropriate."
After the predictable backlash and media exposure , Wodka Vodka Tweeted an apology yesterday saying: "Although rarely serious, we apologize to anyone we may have offended, and are removing our billboard immediately." City Councilwoman Gale Brewer praised the billboard placement company's decision to yank the ad, "The lesson here is simple: messages occupying public space cannot become platforms for vulgarity and invidious stereotypes."
The Times notes that Wodka is known for "shock advertising" intended to draw attention and generate controversy. A previous ad carried the text “Hamptons quality. Newark pricing." (We don't see what's so shocking about that, but anyway.) Brian Gordon, who runs the company that designed the campaign, denied the billboard was shock advertising, and told the Times, "We thought people would perceive it as 'ha ha quirky.' But people perceived it as offensive, and because of that, we pulled it." The billboard was taken down yesterday, and the Times reports they left it in a "crumpled heap near the road." Which, coincidentally, is how every experience with Wodka Vodka comes to an end.
Tagged
advertising
anti semitism
west side highway
wodka vodka
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Published Oct 26, 2026
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .