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Nov. 4, 2005
City may allow a menorah
It's about the message of Chanukah, says Richmond rabbi.
KYLE BERGER
The message of the Chanukah menorah is the driving force behind
a proposed change to the city of Richmond's policy on allowing religious
items to be displayed in its city hall.
Representing Chabad-Lubavitch in Richmond, Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman
originally sent a letter to Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, asking
if the organization's menorah could be displayed in city hall during
the eight days of Chanukah.
Current city policy restricts religious symbols and displays to
be featured in the city's cultural centre. But, according to Baitelman,
displaying the menorah is not about promoting religion. It's about
sending an empowering message.
"The message of the menorah, on a very basic level, is the
power of one little candle," he explained. "If you go
into a pure dark room and you light one little candle, you have
just filled an immense amount of darkness with one little candle.
The message is that we should never underestimate one little act
of kindness or one individual. It is a very empowering and powerful
message to all."
Baitelman went on to explain how the Chanukah menorah is meant to
be displayed in a prominent location, so that everyone can see it.
"Jews in Europe were afraid to put menorahs in their window,
because their houses could be burnt down," he said. "We
live in a society where we are not afraid to put a menorah at our
window or at our door and, therefore, we have the ability and the
responsibility to share the message of the menorah."
The policy review has also raised the issue of whether or not the
regular display of 32 Christmas trees inside city hall is considered
to be a religious display or a pagan symbol.
"We're not going to put up 32 menorahs," Baitelman joked.
"But my point is not to take the Christmas trees out. It's
not an issue of equality. The argument for the menorah to be there
stands on its own."
Richmond city council voted 5-4 to review the policy and discuss
possible changes. They will meet Nov. 7, then again on the 14th
to decide whether they will accept any amendments. Proposed changes
will come from the city's intercultural advisory committee.
Every year, the Lubavitch movement lights public menorot in major
city centres around the world for Chanukah – including the
large-scale Silber Family Agam Menorah outside the Vancouver Art
Gallery.
Kyle Berger is a freelance journalist and graphic designer
living in Richmond.
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