A new light in Chatham, Borough welcomes first-time menorah

star ledger ^ | December 02, 2007 | LESLIE KWOH

[Coleus]

This year, for the first time, Chatham Borough's holiday tree will be joined by a giant menorah. The borough agreed to a request for a public menorah display by Shalom Lubin, who over the years has gained approval for menorahs in neighboring Madison, Florham Park, East Hanover and Chatham Township.

Lubin, a rabbi and director of the Chabad of Southeast Morris County, said word is spreading and towns are saying "hey, you have one in your town, why don't we have one in our town?" "More and more towns are realizing that in the spirit of the holiday, being inclusive is a wonderful thing," he said.

-snip-

In 1989, the Supreme Court settled a case that pitted Allegheny County, Pa., against the American Civil Liberties Union over the constitutionality of holiday displays on public property in Pittsburgh. The court ruled that menorahs, like Christmas trees, can be secular symbols if they are not part of a religious-themed display.

Still, Chatham officials have been cautious. Annual resolutions to place the giant tree at Firehouse Plaza specifically make reference to a "holiday," not "Christmas," tree. And, like the menorah, the tree is set up and managed by an outside entity--the local chamber of commerce.

In fact, the fear of a lawsuit was what prompted the Chatham Borough mayor and council to mull over the menorah proposal for two months before finally approving it two weeks ago. The council also approved a nativity scene for the first time this year, to be set up by another local organization alongside the holiday tree and menorah. "We did extensive legal research," said Mayor Richard Plambeck. "It can be a sensitive issue." The council ultimately decided both the menorah and the crèche

[Ann Archy]

If our Christmas Trees are called Holiday trees, then these Menorahs are going to be called Holiday Candlebras. DO NOT USE THE TERM MENORAH if we can’t use the tern CHRISTMAS!!! Fair is FAIR. Holiday Candlebras for all!

[MarkL]

Being Jewish, I’m quite confused about this whole thing...

I happened to see the lighting of the “National Menorah” on CSPAN. I know that there’s also a “National Christmas Tree.” My issue is one that you make... While the Christmas Tree isn’t directly related to the Christian religious celebration, the Menorah IS.

Frankly, this whole thing pisses me off, and I’m of the belief that there SHOULD be a “National Nativity Scene.” If we’re going to have a federal holiday called “Christmas,” and given the fact that the majority of people in the US are Christians and celebrate Christmas, then I wish the whiny ba$tard$ would STFU and allow people to celebrate Christmas! Yes, on public land! There, I said it!

What we’ve got now is the “tyranny of the minority,” and I’m really tired of it!

Mark

[Zionist Conspirator]

Lubin, a rabbi and director of the Chabad of Southeast Morris County, said word is spreading and towns are saying "hey, you have one in your town, why don't we have one in our town?" "More and more towns are realizing that in the spirit of the holiday, being inclusive is a wonderful thing," he said.

Oy. I know why CHaBa"Dniks think it's so important to put public menorahs up everywhere (and it doesn't have anything to do with multiculturalism, folks), but I wish he wouldn't talk like this. I suppose he feels he has to, though.

[Coleus]

once we get rid of the aclu then we won’t have to worry about what we call our religious symbols or where or how we display them in public. I still can’t understand why our republican congress continues to fund the aclu and planned parenthood.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

So can the 'holiday tree' now be referred to as a Christmas tree? Or will the menorah be dubbed a 'secular menorah?' (holiday candlestick?).