Jews Strive to Restore Sea-Tac Airport's Christmas Trees

Toward Tradition ^ | December 11, 2006 | Rabbi Daniel Lapin

[ripley]

"notorious liberal jewish lawyers...."


can someone explain to me how a jewish person can be an atheist and at the same time a jew? (is it that they like to hide behind judaism when someone disagrees with them?)

[Dog Gone]

We're in closer agreement than I orginally thought. I still don't think the Rabbi should have requested it because Christmas trees aren't a religious symbol, and in fact many Christians I consider on the fringe won't have one at all because they consider them pagan.

I hope you won't deny that this was a public relations setback for the Jewish faith, whether it was accurately reported or not. Because it was. Rabbis shouldn't go around threatening harmless American tradition with lawyers. They should hire Alan Dershowitz, because nobody expects him to take a reasonable position.

[EveningStar]

They're still in the minority, thank G-d.

[Mr. Mojo]

expressing one's opionion is not scapegoating.

Obviously, nor did I make that claim. Again, criticizing this rabbi's actions is entirely understandable, but blaming "Jews" for those actions is moronic beyond belief.

[TET1968]

We just had an identical experience in the condo in which I live.
After 15 years of never having a Christmas Tree allowed in the Lobby, finally, Last year I was assigned to getting the job done. Little did I know that while I installed the tree in the center of the lobby for maximum exposure, and give equal respect and attention to my placement of the Menorah, a small group had immediately decided that never again was that going to be allowed.

This year I was told a certain tenant asked indignantly
" If you are going to use an 10' tree in the lobby, Then you should install am 10' Menorah next too it. "
I'm beginning to think that's a national talking point.

The Lobby needless to say is dark and lonely this Christmas. The tree has been stuck in a dark corner,half lit and behind furniture that blocks it from sight. This has caused a lot of discontent in the building, to the point that some feel all those against the rules mezuzah installations on condo unit entry door jambs should be removed at once.

I'm very disappointed.

[gogogodzilla]

Considering how most of the posts regarding this topic have done wonders in bringing out nothing but condemnation against a Rabbi who simply wanted to be allowed to display a Hannukah menorah...

...it's a very common, very safe, attitude for Jews to take.

My folks taught me the same way. (but it doesn't always stick)

[Sabramerican]

Christmas trees aren't a religious symbol

I'll remember that the next time I see one put up in July.

The Hanukkah Menorah- compared to the all together different Temple Menorah- is also not a religious symbol. It's a utensil.

[TaraP]

Because God commands us to Bless Israel and will curse those who persecute the Jews. Christians believe that Jesus return will be in Jerusalem and God will never let anyone destroy Israel again.

Jews are not sinless we all as human beings have sinned agaisnt God, but they are the Chosen people of God and a light to all nations by bringing a risen Messiah to the gentile world.

[EveningStar]

Jews are not to blame for this, just your sleazy condo association.

[Dog Gone]

So the only reason the Religious Right supports Israel is because the Jews in America take a subservient stance regarding them?

Is that how it's supposed to work?

For pete's sake, don't try to play the victim card at this forum.

[SJackson]

You seem ever ready to constantly condemn Christians, as if they are the eternal "enemies" of the Jews. Amazing that you are still allowed to spew your constant anti-Christianity rants here.

Where did I condemn Christians?

Where did I condemn Christianity?

If you have a problem with my posts, either complain to management about my constant anti-Christian posts,

or,

this is a unique idea

back your libel up with facts.

[Salem]

"Amazing that you are still allowed to spew your constant anti-Christianity rants here."

SJackson is anti-Christian. Egads! We've been chumming around for years! I never knew!  

[CremeSaver]

What a great story...and while we are at it, we should also have a petition asking for a Menorah. Christians and Jews should unite on this topic of public displays and not be at odds with one another.

[sageb1]

I caught your post earlier today saying you had already apologized 9 times. You owe no one an apology. I figure you (as Defender of all the Jews in the World!!!) will stop getting flack around the same time that I get to stop explaining that everytime a cardinal or bishop opens his fool mouth, he isn't necessarily speaking for the Pope. ;)

[mrsmith]

Sea-Tac freaked, took down the trees rather than display the Menorah. pay legal fees through the nose.

It's nice that idiots don't think public authorities are routinely successfully sued in America for displaying religious symbols.

Too bad it's not true.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

An airport is not a legislative arm of "the State" (certainly not of Congress) which can compel assent to an "establishment" of religion. A tree as a mere symbol also does not communicate a state command to assent to an "establishment" of religion. This should never have been an issue.

The threat of litigation over this reflects a misunderstanding of the Constitution and of airports.

[BIGLOOK]

I just saw Rabbi Bogomilsky on O'Reilly. It was not his true intention to have the Christmas trees removed, he only wanted to have the Menorah displayed. But he erred when a lawsuit was threatened. This error was magnified by the sandbagging media and run throughout the weekend (and the Sabbath) when no contact is allowable with the secular world for an Orthodox Jew. This entire event has cascaded and threatens to deny the spirit of Christmas and of Hanukkah to all.

The remedy is obvious. Coal in the stocking of the lawyer.....Coal in the stockings of the Media. The Rabbi needs to seek repentance and be absolved. The Christmas trees should be replaced along with the Menorah displayed.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

[Alouette]

why don't you just leave it alone. the damage is done.

Damage? What freaking damage? Some decorations were removed. They can be put back up. It's just a bunch of decorations!

How many people were terrified by rabbis praying in the terminal and grabbing all the exit seats?

Who missed their flights and how many planes were delayed due to the heightened terror threat?

Whose throats were slit and whose heads were cut off?

You. Need. To. Get. A. Grip.

[TaraP]

Maybe you need to ping her to your animal threads...:)

[Hattie]

This little display has been about the last straw for me. This Rabbi is being used as a tool for the ACLU. First get the trees out of the airports, then get them out of department stores, shopping malls, cities and finally out of your own front yard. And by the way, don't offend anyone by opening your curtains to display that tree to the street. That is the goal of the ACLU and the Rabbi has just pushed the ball a little further. Sorry, his apologies ring hollow to me.