Public menorah shares message of tolerance
(The menorah) symbolizes the freedom that everyone has to practice their own religion — proudly and without fear of repression.
Public celebrations of culture and faith can help undo much of today’s rising hatred and the fear it creates.
It hasn’t been an easy year to be openly — and proudly — Jewish. In a span of just over a year, three deadly shootings targeted visibly Jewish locations in Pittsburgh and Poway, and just weeks ago, in Jersey City. In New York City, attacks against chassidic Jews — with their distinct mode of dress — skyrocketed.
The path of least resistance may seem to be to tone down expressions of Judaism. But the best way to counter rising hatred is by doing the opposite: by standing taller and prouder than ever.
What’s beautiful about our country is the diversity it contains. And bringing that diversity to our public spaces reminds us that we don’t have to agree with others to respect and tolerate them. The Founding Fathers set in place freedom of religion, not freedom
from religion. They did not want a stark, secular state in which expressions of faith would be repressed for fear of negative repercussions. They wanted a country where all of those viewpoints would be welcomed and celebrated. Freedom of religion has always been an integral part of the American experience because it is a way in which we disagree without losing our respect for one another.
By proudly expressing our faith, we are driving home a point. We are saying, “We belong. With all our rich heritage, with our traditions, with all the different ways we choose to worship, we belong.”
And that is the message of the menorah.
It symbolizes the freedom that everyone has to practice their own religion — proudly and without fear of repression. It brings to mind the struggle of the Maccabees to liberate their country from their oppressors — a message that resonates here in Fairfield, a town that was burned to the ground during our struggle for freedom from our British oppressors.
And it’s a message that must resonate this year stronger than ever.
Much of the divisiveness we’re experiencing stems from a disinterest in countenancing — let alone tolerating — others with views different than our own. That needs to change. In Fairfield, every faith and culture is respected — both by those who abide by them and those who deeply disagree with them.
And that’s the case because of how welcoming our town is to public expressions of faith.
A Jewish child driving along Post
Road and seeing a public menorah feels that much more accepted and welcomed. A nonJewish child who sees that menorah will be reminded that every faith and culture belongs. And both of those children will grow up with greater tolerance and respect for one another.
This Dec. 22, the first evening of Hanukkah, shops in downtown Fairfield will participate in Hanukkah Village. A giant menorah will be lit in Sherman Town Green. We will remember that we don’t need to agree with others to respect them; to be civil.
And in a time when Jewish people are facing a rise in antiSemitism, the menorah symbolizes something more. It represents the pride and persistence of the Jewish people in the face of hatred. And its placement on public land is a statement that the Jewish people are an integral part of this country, just as every faith and culture that makes up our great nation is.
The menorah reminds us to make room for viewpoints different from our own. This Hanukkah, let’s remember to respect everyone — regardless of politics, regardless of culture, and regardless of faith.
Rabbi Shlame Landa codirects Chabad of Fairfield, a Jewish organization. On Sunday, Dec. 22, they will host “Chanukah Village” as Post Road in Downtown Fairfield will transform into a holiday village. For more information, visit ChabadFF.com/ChanukahVillage.