RACE, RELIGION + SOCIAL JUSTICE

Jewish leaders praise Entrata for building bridges after company founder sends anti-Semitic email

Jan 11, 2022, 7:27 PM | Updated: Jan 12, 2022, 10:50 am

(Congregation Kol Ami, which received a six-figure donation from Entrata.  Photo: Paul Nelson, Janu...

(Congregation Kol Ami, which received a six-figure donation from Entrata. Photo: Paul Nelson, January 11, 2022)

(Congregation Kol Ami, which received a six-figure donation from Entrata. Photo: Paul Nelson, January 11, 2022)

SALT LAKE CITY — Members of Utah’s Jewish community are praising the tech company Entrata, saying the company is trying to fix the damage done by its founder who spread anti-Semitic rumors about COVID-19 and the vaccine.

Entrata founder David Bateman made national headlines last week after he reportedly sent an anti-Semitic email to CEOs at other tech companies telling people to avoid getting the COVID-19 vaccine and calling it a Jewish attempt to “euthanize” Americans.

“I believe the pandemic and systematic extermination of billions of people will lead to an effort to consolidate all the countries in the world under a single flag with totalitarian rule,” he wrote. “I know, it sounds bonkers.”

Rabbi Samuel Spector with Congregation Kol Ami says he was surprised to get a phone call from top officials of Entrata on Friday morning.  Company management asked to speak with him, in person, to apologize for Bateman’s comments.  He says he told Entrata officials that an apology wasn’t necessary since Bateman’s comments did not represent the views of the tech company or its workers.

Entrata lending a helping hand

He says Entrata insisted.

“They said, ‘We still want to meet with you, and we want to help your community.  Would you come down here and meet with our team?’” Spector says.

During this meeting, Entrata offered a six-figure donation to Congregation Kol Ami.  Spector says these funds couldn’t come at a better time, since their building is in dire need of upgrades

“Our building is 50 years old and pretty much everything in it.  The boiler, the chiller, the bathrooms and the prayer books are all 50 years old, too,” Spector says.  “Prior to this gift, we were wondering, ‘How are we going to do this?  How will our building stay standing in 10 years?’”

Raising money

Spector says officials at Entrata are doing everything it can to remove antisemitism from the company.

“They are having me do a presentation to their 2,500 employees, including those in India, this Thursday on the history of antisemitism and how to identify antisemitism,” he said.

Spector doesn’t want to divulge exactly how much Entrata donated. He added that the tech company had no intention of making the donation public knowledge.  However, Spector says his congregants wanted to give credit to the company and its workers, since employees are still receiving backlash from Bateman’s comments.

Spector said, “It’s very easy for people to get attention for doing the wrong thing, like David Bateman. They deserve attention for doing the right thing.”

Bateman stepped down as a board member the day the email was made public and agreed to divest all his holdings in Entrata.

Read more: 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Race, Religion + Social Justice

FILE: Cedar High School in Cedar City is pictured on Wednesday April 7, 2021....

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Cedar High School grapples with mascot name, five years after it was changed

The Iron School District Board of Education is grappling with changing the Cedar High School mascot back from "Reds" to "Redmen." 

11 hours ago

The sun rises on the Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio, on Monday, March 25, 2024....

Tad Walch, Deseret News

The landmark Kirtland Temple reopens for public tours: See the first photos

Free public tours began Monday morning at the reopening of the landmark Kirtland Temple, one of the most revered sites in the joint histories of the Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

2 days ago

The Red Cliffs Utah Temple on the day of its dedication, Sunday March 24, 2024....

Devin Oldroyd

Red Cliffs Utah Temple in St. George dedicated Sunday

The Red Cliffs Utah Temple was dedicated Sunday, nearly four years after construction of the temple began.

4 days ago

Most of Utah supports LGBTQ protections. Pride Parade...

Heather Peterson

Most Utahns support LGBTQ protections, study shows

A new report shows a majority of Utah supports LGBTQ protections, and that Utah is the 'most supportive' red state.

7 days ago

Brigham Young Cougars center Aly Khalifa (50) shoots against the UCF Knights at the Marriott Center...

DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer

BYU’s Aly Khalifa heads into March Madness without food or water while observing Ramadan

It is a fast Khalifa is embarking on willingly, yet one that carries with it unusual challenges during the NCAA Tournament.

7 days ago

Brigham Young Cougars center Aly Khalifa (50) celebrates a 3-pointer during the Big 12 conference t...

KSL Sports

‘This Is My Moment:’ Aly Khalifa lifts BYU while fasting at Big 12 Tournament

BYU center Aly Khalifa played through a Big 12 Tournament game during Ramadan.

14 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Jewish leaders praise Entrata for building bridges after company founder sends anti-Semitic email