There’s some controversy brewing in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it has to do with the holidays.
In November, City Council voted 6-1 to deny a request to place temporary objects at Riverfront Park, including a menorah.
“If we did that, any religious group would be allowed to have symbols and things out there,” said Councilman Earl Sheridan. “That was a direction we did not want to go in.”
Councilman Charlie Rivenbark, who is not Jewish, saw things differently. He was approached by Rabbi Moshe Lieblich several months ago asking for help to place a menorah Downtown.
“I just don’t get it,” Rivenbark said. “For a city that practices diversity, like we often do, I just think we missed the boat on that.”
Lieblich, who is the Rabbi at Chabad of Wilmington, was able to get an event permit and held a public lighting last Saturday night. The menorah was taken home after only a couple of hours.
“I think the proper thing to do is have different groups have different displays for their celebrations,” Lieblich said. “I think it should be equal for everybody.”
While a menorah was not permitted to stay up all eight nights of Hannukah, a large Christmas tree remains on display at Riverfront Park. Sheridan says the tree is “non secular.”
“A Christmas tree is like Frosty or Rudolph,” Sheridan said. “It is not a religious symbol.”
Rivenbark said he completely disagrees with that. He said, “You can call it a holiday tree, or a tree with lights on it, but that is a Christmas tree, and Christmas has the name, “Christ” in it. It was designed to celebrate a Christian holiday.”
Lieblich says he will ask for Council’s permission again next Hannukah.
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This is NOT a christian country. It’s a country where everyone is equal and free to worship or not worship in the way they want.
So it is very important for every citizen, no matter what religion they belong to, to fight this.
Again, just because there is a christian majority in the USA does not make it a christian country.
the problem is not that the menorah wasnt allowed. that is most unfortunate but not shocking or “fight worthy” the problem is the fact that the city allows an x-mas tree and not a menorah, it is pure anti-semitism and needs to be fought and cleared out because it is not okay. and for all the other comments about the south, you have obviously never heard of southern hospitality or never visited the south because despite this, generally the south is a very warm and open place. as stated in the article the city is usually very diverse. this is… Read more »
Thanks for stating that an xmas tree is not a religious symbol. We ignorant ones didn’t know that.
GIVES ME A BAD TASTE.
ssssssssssoooooooooooooooooo sssssssssssaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddddddddd
The Supreme Court did not rule in the Chabad menorah case that you have the right to put a menorah up on public property even if a city does not want it. They ruled that a city is allowed to permit a menorah if it so chooses. Cities may deny menorahs so long as they deny the religious holiday symbols of all other religions. An X-mas tree is not considered to be a religious symbol.
GO MOSHE YITZCKOK and CHANA!
It’s a Southern state…
Why do we have to fight for this? We live in a Christian country and Boruch hashem we can observe and keep the mitzvos peacefully. Why do we have to make a whole commotion about equal rights etc. etc.
Get the Shpy and Velvel quick!
Headquarters probably won’t/can’t help, but there are plenty of shluchim that have fought the good fight and won. Search on google and call them. Sometimes a simple letter from an attorney stating the facts is enough to get them to realize their mistake. Nat Lewins office will give you such a letter. Other options include lobbying the officials one by one… Or at last resort, suing the city. You have to way your options and decide carefully. In Massachusetts, the following Shluchim/Rabonim have fought, and won in recent years: Bronstein, Andover, MA, Bleich, Wellesley, MA, Kievman, Milford, MA, and Green,… Read more »
Since when does an x-mas tree have nothing to do with x-mas, a religious holiday?
Didn’t we go that route countless times and won even in the supreme court? I think this guy should contact headquarters for some guidance.
Fight for what you belive in Rabbi Lieblich!
FIGHT!!!
Only good can come out of this.
There have been fights in other American cities, and the shluchim have won out in the end. Keep up the good work! Just because of the controversy alone, there was plenty of Pirsumei Nissa.
Sadly, this is the sick twisted world we live in.
We just gotta keep fighting for what we believe in!
Go Rabbi Lieblich!
very very sad