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Hello,
We recently put up holiday decorations at our front entrance. They include white lights, garland and a wreath. I've only gotten positive responses from people. To be inclusive we also placed a Menorah in the at at that spot.
Today a board member called upset about the Menorah. The board members says he is really religious and is offended. I asked about what, since we have so many Christmas lights and a wreath. He said he was upset that there was a Menorah up there which is a Jewish religious symbol and no christian symbols. Now, I am thinking how could he be upset if the Christmas decorations is about 20 times larger than the Jewish decorations. He says if there is going to be a Menorah, than he wants a Manger scene on the lawn. I think a Manager scene would be a bit much. I advised we should bring this up at the next board meeting next week.
How would all of you approach this situation? The community itself loves what we have there, just this one board member is upset.
I would hate for us to take something down we have been doing for years and act like some uppity co-op that does nothing.
To me, in the context you are discussing, a menorah is a holiday decoration like a wreath and Xmas lights. I think it would be offensive if there wasn't a menorah up with the xmas decorations. What else would you put? I don't think a menorah is necessarily a religious symbol at all. I'm a secular Jew and I don't view it as such.But just like I wouldn't have a wreath or xmas lights in my house, I'd be happy with wreath, lights, xmas tree AND a menorah in my lobby. I wouldn't be happy with a creche
because that feels too religious.
I think this issue is foolish. I am of both faiths Jewish and Catholic. First and foremost most symbols are Pagan, they don't stand for anything. A tree is lovely, I've never had one in my home, but a Menorah is a symbol of a struggle and of oil that was given for one night and lasted 8 days. A manger is clearly a religious article and I would not want that in front of a building, in front of a church is one thing but that is a but over the top. Just let it be the wreath, tree, Menorah and that's it. If this person wants a manger let them put it in their home or window.
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A Christmas wreath is definitely a Christian holiday decoration, so you would seem to be on pretty safe ground exactly as you are. Perhaps the closest analogue to a menorah would be a Christmas tree with a star on top. Both are bright, festive, and religious but not in-your-face religious. A manger scene would be over the top, in my view.
We've had both a Christmas tree and a menorah in our lobby for as many years as I can remember and there have never been any complaints. In your case, you should try to get some idea of how widespread the sentiment is for changing things in your building. If the complaints are really restricted to just one obstreperous board member, you can take a formal vote and close the complaint. (Of course you should check with your attorney to make sure you position is defensible.)
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