Erect a Chanukah Menorah on Public Property?
A exchange of letters from the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Debate raged in a small New Jersey town. It was 1980, and a large Chanukah menorah had been erected in the garden of the courthouse in Hackensack, New Jersey. The menorah attracted Jews, and heightened the holiday awareness and celebration in the area.
By that time, public menorahs were on display in cities across the United States of America, including one in the nation’s capital, in front of the White House.
The following year, the Teaneck Jewish Community Council reached a unanimous decision opposing a similar menorah outside City Hall, which the local Chabad rabbi was planning to erect. They planned to raise the issue with the town council.
The local Chabad emissary responded that nonetheless, he was planning to erect the menorah, as permitted by American law. He continued to dedicate his time to planning the project.
Below, read the fascinating correspondence with the Teaneck Jewish Community Council and the Rebbe.
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November 22, 1981
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December 2, 1981
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December 9, 1981
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December 28, 1981
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December 29, 1981
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Clear Thinking
A menorah should be allowed on public property but not funded for by public tax dollars any more then a nativity scene should be funded. If ''holiday trees'' are provided by the government because they are not religious then electric dreidels should be lit up as well. They are much less expensive anyway and easy to acquire! Regardless, no one should prohibit freedom of religious expression in America. The State is not favor one religion over another or fund a religious activity nor it is to outlaw religion and restrict it's practice aiken to casinos and illicit activities. Governments can determine from requests made the requests of a legitimate religious organization and a cult or fake religion.
Europe is the place that is suppose to want to take away religion from daily life -- although they have no problem paying for nativity scenes. America encourages religion -- the one of your choice-- and we should celebrate THAT this time of year.
If people do not want to see they don't have to look That is how we express our faith and the separation of church and state was made not to keep our faith expressions out of public property but to keep the state out of the shul.
A Chanukah menorah is akin to a nativity scene. As a religious artifact, it does not belong on public property.
You should see it... I recently visited South Royalton, Vermont...there are about 5 Jews living there full-time (I don't know how many law students attend the law school there). But...every year they erect a similar, large Menorah and each night light another candle. Quite a free thinking, accepting population!
Public Menorah I support it 100%!
To Dave This is a nation founded on Judeo principles and values and one that has a covenant with The Almighty and I grow weary of people trying to take Hashem out of everything. The 10 commandments IS the base of our society and if people do not want the Menorah, 10 commandments or ANY other faith expressions they can simply close their eyes because there are more of us who feel that way versus those who want faith taken out of everywhere. May Hashem be praised forever.