U.S. President George W. Bush lights a candle while participating in a Hanukkah reception and lighting of the Menorah in the Bookseller's Area of the White House in Washington, December 6, 2005.
What's in the water in Massachusetts?
Happy Hanukkah
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
Sad.
As a Christian I have to ask, when you start compromising your beliefs, where do you draw the line on what is essential?
Jews will have winter holiday candles to go alongside our winter holiday trees.
You cannot run culture through a blender and think that the tasteless grey muck that is created is somehow better than what you had before.
This goy says to go ahead and damn the naysayers.
Now the orthodox are screaming, "Those damn hellenists (Reform/Conservative), they are the one's responsible for the whole mess in the first place back during the Second Temple."
One never wins in such debates. Why can't we all do our own thing and leave our neighbors along. In my town, all religions and fraternities co-exist. The Jew, Jehovah's Witness, and sabbatarian don't mind the overt christmas decorations at the town square. Conversely the town is very tolerant of their beliefs in a quid pro quo. Meanwhile, the Catholic doesn't mind the FreeMason who doesn't mind the Baptist who tolerates the occasional witch. People are seen going to synagogue and church while others happily work 24/7. There is rarely a fuss let alone a hiss or cat call.
I blame big mouths on all sides of this argument to cause the uproar now present. You have the bitter atheist that claims to speak for all atheist and agnostics. You have the in-your-face religious nut with the messiah-complex that must witness while his family is largely ignored for loving attention. You have that one instigator Yeshiva drop out-type that has a bee in his yalmulka. And worst of all, you have your fascist liberal that must weaken others for her own empowerment and overbearing arrogance.
After the dust clears, then the reaction ensuse by the majority of people that on a normal day would not give a rip but follow the crowd in some unknown righteous indignation that lasts as long as the next episode of The Sapranos or Rome. Live and let live.
Moscow Greets Chanukah by Lighting Giant Menorah Near the Kremlin
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1546847/posts
Personally, I think we should all honor the beliefs of each other. Why can't there be Christmas trees and Menorahs together on public property? Who could possibly be offended at honoring God?
Better news from another part of the world...
shame
Peabody is a pretty strong Jewish community..why on earth some there take this tack makes no sense to me.
I'd like to see more about how makes up this gang....I bet Barry Lynne's Devil's Disciples are in the mix
Hope you're feeling better ;)
Thanks for all the posts, but I sure am glad someone gave us an upside with the Russian Menorah lighting.
Happy Chanukah from a rainy Toronto!
-Bella who reeks of oil
Typical of the fight Chabad gets nation wide on lighting menorahs on public grounds. There are many menorahs lighted publicly this year than ever before and fewer fights like this.
Mr. Klatzker would be very happy in Saudi Arabia. I am sure that putting Hanukkah Menorah in public display is a big NO, NO over there. Maybe we need collection for one way ticket for him?
How sad this is.
America is a Nation of faith, its "Founding Fathers" wanted the nation to be a place where faith could be openly practiced.
At what point do we rise up and ask the nations leaders to enact legislation that allows the open expression of our traditions?
Have a blessed holiday my friend
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This aspect he's right about.
"How many years of using a menorah as a civic decoration before the menorah is seen as a civic decoration?"
Rabbi David Klatzker of Peabody's Temple Ner Tamid.
Aw jeeze, not some yahoo getting all "offended" again!!! Not another "compromise" by a bunch of Neville Chamberlains cowed by an annoying loud-mouthed minority whose major malfunctions are forgetting to use Listerine twice a day and not getting enough fiber in their diets!
What I'd like to see.....a huge creche with a huge lighted menorah right next to it. With the mayor, the city council, and whoever, attending without fear, shame, or being intimidated. When I was a kid nobody got their undies in an uproar over nativity scenes or menorahs in public schools. These Gritches of both genders who spoil things for everybody this time of year need to hush up or go live in an atheistic "paradise" like the PRC, Cuba, or North Korea where they won't have to see some "religious" display, get "offended" and wet their drawers about it!