[Alouette]

This organization has been putting up public menorahs at Hanukkah time for many years and has generated much enjoyment and good will. I am proud to say that my family has been prominent in these activities, particularly setting up the public menorahs in San Francisco and Moscow, Russia.

Sadly, bad judgment was used by bringing in rabid attack dogs lawyers to threaten the airport instead of looking for another venue. Whenever lawyers come into a situation, everything goes to crap.

This episode, sadly, has destroyed many decades of hard work and excellent good will. I apologize to all FReepers in the name of Chabad for the extreme poor judgment.

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel/Russian Jewry ping list.

Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.

[Froufrou]

The airport has no policy governing the longtime holiday display because no one has ever challenged it before, Betancourt said.

Where do you get 10 years from this? I'm confused...

[TaraP]

The ignorance is with people that want to do with anything that pertains to GOD. The rabbi I believe wanted something put up *A Menorah* that was religious and should be honored by all Christians and Jews.

Jesus Christ was not a Gentile, nor a Christian or a Muslim or a Scientologist, he was a JEW who celebrated every Jewish Tradition and through him brought the entire world a chance to be reconciled with GOD Almighty.

[the OlLine Rebel]

I can't believe this many people are that kind of upset. I don't like the vitriol being spewed the rabbi's way.

His intention was not to eliminate the trees, but to add his Jewish symbolism.

I don't think you should apologize for what is ultimately the airport's decision. The rabbi didn't intend such.

I hope you won't think too ill of Christians thanks to the over-reaction to this.

[CremeSaver]

Oh my, Alouette you don't owe anyone any apologies. I think the Rabbi went about it in the wrong way. If he had appealed to the public at large I think he would have found a ground swell of support. I personally love seeing Christmas and Hanukkah decorations side by side. It reminds me, as a Christian, of how much I owe my Jewish brethren for my faith. I am more annoyed with the fact that the Rabbi is a member of ACLU and a democrat, now those are two very poor choices. :O)