Writer of divisive anti-christian article in new jersey jewish magazine fired, editor claims

JACKSON, NJ – The editor for a predominantly Jewish magazine who published a divisive and insensitive article condemning Christmas lights and decorations in Jackson Township said the article ‘slipped through the cracks’ and the author has since been fired.

Bayla Brooks, whose real identity has yet to be confirmed wrote about the ‘grotesque’ and ‘disgusting’ Christmas lights and decorations in her Jackson neighborhood when she moved in six years ago. She said those lights almost caused her to back out of her contract to buy a home in the community which was at the time, just starting to grow into an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood.

Managing Editor Shulamis Nieman, of the Jackson Pulse, affiliated with the Lakewood News Network, and Voice of Lakewood magazine said Brooks was fired.

“We would like to extend our sincerest apologies regarding the article ‘Our Lights’ that was printed in the Jackson Pulse, Issue 12,” Nieman said to New Jersey 101.5 in a statement after the radio station picked up the Shore News Network article on the incident. “The article does not represent our views or the views of our readership. We value and respect our neighbors, of all religions and faiths. We are deeply distressed that an article that does not reflect those values has slipped through the editorial cracks.”

Tzvi Herman, the former Community Liaison for the Jackson Pulse has not yet commented on the matter. Both Herman and Shullamis have also remained silent on their publication’s alleged connections to the now-defunct former hate-speech website Rise Up Ocean County. Herman’s name was removed from the publication shortly after the controversial December 7th issue.

The Jackson Pulse will live in infamy as a result of the publishing of that article.

According to a public records search, no person named Bayla Brooks lives in the neighborhood described in the article. It is unsure if Brooks was a pen name for Herman.

Shore News Network Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.