The French Hill community center in Jerusalem is offering residents a joint Xmas/Chanukah party R”L, eliciting the ire of many local residents who are outraged over the very idea. Organizers promise there will be a Santa Claus, who will be honored as well. It goes without saying there will be a Chanukah menorah.

The event is set for the second Chanukah candle lighting and the advertisement has led to anger among some Jerusalem councilmen.

Councilman (Shas) Avraham Betzalel explains to organizers, “Chanukah’s entire essence is the victory of the uniqueness of the Jewish people against the attempts of external nations to harm it, its Torah and its culture”.

“Unfortunately, on this holiday, we hear about the intention of the French Hill Community Center to desecrate the festival at an event common to Jews and Christians by raising the banner of their great religious leaders and to act contrary to the essence of the holiday. There is no need to contemplate the intentions of the organizers of such events, I will call for doing anything and everything possible to prevent this event, which is a disgrace, “concluded Bezalel.

Councilman (Yahadut Hatorah) Michel Halberstam adds, “This is what we cry about.

אֱלֹקִים, בָּאוּ גוֹיִם בְּנַחֲלָתֶךָ– טִמְּאוּ, אֶת הֵיכַל קָדְשֶׁךָ; שָׂמוּ אֶת-יְרוּשָׁלִַם לְעִיִּים. (תהילים פרק עט), ועל זה אנו מתפללים : בָּאוּ בָנֶיךָ לִדְבִיר בֵּיתֶךָ וּפִנּוּ אֶת הֵיכָלֶךָ וְטִהֲרוּ אֶת-מִקְדָּשֶׁךָ וְהִדְלִיקוּ נֵרוֹת בְּחַצְרוֹת קָדְשֶׁךָ וְקָבְעוּ שְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי חֲנֻכָּה אֵלּוּ לְהוֹדוֹת וּלְהַלֵּל לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)