These days, many are of the opinion that due to the recent rise in anti-Semitism and discrimination, people should start hiding their yarmulkas under baseball caps and that the Jewish community should distance itself from the politics in Israel. The Vice Mayor of Amsterdam, Mr. Eric Van der Burg, is of the opposite opinion, he announced at a Menorah lighting in Amsterdam.
Mr. Van der Burg said that the answer to today’s intolerance is in openly demonstrating the freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
The public menorah which is being displayed at the Zuidas financial district in Amsterdam is a shining example.
Tuesday, December 16th, the vice mayor of Amsterdam, Mr. Van der Burg lit the Menorah for the first time together with rabbi Yanki Jacobs from Chabad Amsterdam South and Chabad on Campus.
“The message of Chanukah is universal. You can’t fight darkness with more darkness. Rather you do so by lighting small flames. Each good deed that a person does makes the world a better place,” he said.
“Mr. Van der Burg is a dear friend of our Jewish community and it’s a great honor that he came to light our Menorah,” said Rabbi Jacobs. “We wish the entire Dutch society a happy Chanukah and may we only share good and positive news,” he said.
