|
Features
(Merchandise, Real Estate, Events,...) Updated Daily and No Charge To Add Your Item Topics ______________
More
|
|
Menorah Every year, some members of the community ask that a menorah be placed in front of the Municipal Building. What are your thoughts on that? Tedeschi: There should be a referendum put to the vote of the people of Fair Lawn on this matter. Hyde: I think the issue needs to be revisited. It would be nice to display all of the religious symbols at borough hall during the holidays. I’ve heard from both sides of the issue and they both have strong convictions. However it’s tough to see where the majority lies. This may be an ideal time to poll the community through a non-binding referendum. The borough could issue a flyer to all with the pro and con arguments and watch a great debate ending with a democratic result. Baratta: Fair Lawn is a diverse community, comprised of many different ethnic and religious communities. There are good points made by both sides, about this issue. The decision should not be left to the five members of the Council alone. An open forum should be held, inviting all leaders of Fair Lawn’s houses of worship to discuss thoughts, ideas, and come to a joint consensus on this issue. In this manner, all faiths can help in bringing the diversity within our town together. Ganz: The Jewish Community Council, whose membership includes many synagogues in town, has steadfastly rejected the suggestion that the Menorah, a religious symbol, be placed in front of Boro Hall. I agree. Jefferson put it best two centuries ago: there should be a wall of separation between church and state. The question is divisive, it pits friends and neighbors against each other, and attempting to interject it into the campaign is offensive. The menorah celebrates a religious miracle at the time of Chanukah. It differs from a Christmas tree which is a seasonal symbol but not a religious one. Caan: A very complex situation for a 100 word response. Its interesting to note that no one has come before the Council in over 2 years requesting a Menorah be placed on Boro Property. The bottom line is that placing a Menorah on Boro Property will put the Boro at risk to add items from a variety of hate groups to the display just as has been done in other cities around the country. The risk is real. What guides me, is knowing how my parents would feel if a Nazi symbol were on Boro property and could not be removed. I respect religious freedom, but see a need for reasonable regulation of public property.
|