Menorahs for Christmas

Menorahs for Christmas

My favorite Christmas story is also a Hanukkah story.  The best part about it is that it is true.

Isaac Schnitzer was a five-year-old boy living in Billings, Montana in 1993.  On December 2 of that year, a cinderblock was thrown through his bedroom window where a menorah had been displayed.  His terrified parents were subsequently advised by authorities not to display Jewish symbols for their safety.

Two days later, the director of the Montana Association of Churches contacted the reverend of the First Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ and asked if the church members might display menorahs in their own windows.  The pastor not only printed out paper menorahs for his congregation, but he called a number of other pastors and they did the same.

A store manager put up a sign in his store saying, "Not in Our Town. No Hate. No Violence. Peace on Earth."  On December 8, the Billings Gazette ran an editorial suggesting that the people of Billings display menorahs in their windows.  Thousands of menorahs were then provided by One Hour Valets, Planned Parenthood, and Kwik Ways.  The newspaper itself included a full-page menorah for the people of Billings to cut out and display in their windows.

That Christmas, 10,000 homes in Billings proudly displayed menorahs in their windows.  And a small community took a stand against hate.

Originally found here

Picture originally found here

Related Articles

More From Holy Days Articles

Rosh Hashanah 2017 Speech

Full White House text of remarks by President Donald Trump and Senior Advisor to the President…
Rosh Hashanah 2017 Speech
What is a Dreidel Really?

What is a Dreidel Really?

Dreidels are often used to play a game during Hanukkah to win chocolate coins also known as…
What is a Dreidel Really?

Rejoicing with the Family of God

From night one of the festival of Sukkot, when that first meal is enjoyed with family and…
Rejoicing with the Family of God

Matza Pizza

Ingredients:• 1 matza• tomato paste• choice of toppings: mushroom, onions, peppers, artichokes,…
Matza Pizza

Sounding the Shofar

For those of you who have attended, a Rosh HaShanah service (or watched one here on the Shalom…
Sounding the Shofar
10th plague of Egypt

Passover

The Passover is a very important Holy Day in Jewish history. The Passover begins the day before…
Passover

Spinach Matzo Balls

Editor's note: This recipe is part of Susie Fishbein's Tricolor Matzo Ball soup.Due to the high…
Spinach Matzo Balls
Chanukah Story

Chanukah Story

Around the year 200 BCE, Israel was under the rulership of the Syrians who were under the…
Chanukah Story
Western Wall Prayers and Letters

Letters to God

As the High Holy Days approached, Danny Goldstein, the Post Director in Israel, met with Rabbi…
Letters to God

Purim

The feast of Purim is a joyous occasion. It is celebrated each year on the 14th and 15th days…
Purim
Image celebrating Shavuot: 10 Commandments on 2 stone tablets

Shavuot

Shavuot means weeks and it is one of the feasts of the LORD mentioned in the Torah.
Shavuot

Potato Pancake

Potato pancakes are shallow-fried pancakes of grated or ground potato, flour and egg, often…
Potato Pancake

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation