Here he is -- broadcasting on Seattle's KKOL AM 1300.
Posted on 12/11/2006 7:21:34 AM PST by NavyCanDo
The departure of Christmas tree displays at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — the Port of Seattle's response to a local rabbi's insistence that an electric menorah also be put up — is accelerating into an international spectacle in the so-called "war on Christmas."
And that is not what Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky wanted.
"I am devastated, shocked and appalled at the decision that the Port of Seattle came to," he said Sunday. As news coverage about the airport's trees spread from CNN to ABC to the Paris-based International Herald Tribune, Bogomilsky on Sunday began to receive hateful messages from people holding him responsible for the removal of the trees.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
And where is the non-elected Govenor in all of this? Why is she not speeking up in defence of the Tree displays?
Idiot. You brought a lawyer into this, you get to live with the results. Jerk.
"And that is not what Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky wanted."
Riiiiight.
Then next time, keep your big, fat mouth shut, Rabbi.
More and more interesting. Anyone want to give his talk radio program a call tonight ? (see last item)
Chai Center of Greater Seattle
6538 39th Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: 206-290-6301
Fax: 206-729-3445
E-mail: info@chaiseattle.com
www.chaiseattle.com
Executive Director: Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky
Director: Esther Bogomilsky
The Chai Center was established to give a warm and welcoming Jewish experience for Jews from all backgrounds, affiliated or not. Participants have the opportunity to learn, connect and be part of the Jewish community through the many programs, classes, events, Jewish public library and publications.
Women's Learning Circle: Rosh Chodesh gatherings, Shabbatons, classes and Women's Book Club. This diverse group of women gathers once a month to enjoy special elegant women's events. Meet new friends and join in the discussions on women's issues and holiday insights.
Friendship Circle: The organization extends a helping hand to families who have children with special needs. The Circle's unique formula introduces teenage volunteers to the children and their families and through the shared experience all are enriched. Please call to find out how you can participate.
Publication: The Chai Gazette, a premier Jewish paper reaching over 4,000 Jewish homes and expanding as a free subscription, is distributed around the five major Jewish holidays. Find local and international essays, insights, recipes, classes and events through the Chai Center.
Shmooze Radio: the Pacific Northwest's only Jewish radio program and talk show, Sundays 7-8 p.m., on Seattle's KOL 1300 AM. Providing some hilarious and always thought-provoking discussions. (www.shmoozeradio.com.)
Needs to work a little harder on those "holiday insights," I think.
One of the things about this I never, ever, ever get is that Christmas is a holy day. We are celebrating the advent and birth of Christ at this time. Hannukah, meanwhile is not a holy day like Yom Kippur or Passover. I think Hannukah is a joyous and wonderful celebration but even religious Jews will admit it is not a religious day in the sense others are to them. OY.
WA ping request
The solution, in order to not offend any major religious group.........Put up a Christmas Tree, put a Menorah on top and have all of the packages under the tree....explode.
(I know, a Christmas tree isn't a religious symbol....)
I love it. The more Santa (Saint Nicholas)and Christmas trees (Victory over Pagan beliefs by St Boniface and Luthers tradition of honoring Jesus's birthday)are banned the more these symbols can be reclaimed by Christians and the harder it is to secularize the celebration of Christs birth.
also:
When I see a nasty little Rabbi meddling with political correctness in this manner it make me a little less sympathetic of the plight of those in Israel.(can't help it)
With all the evergreens out there, the ideas are almost endless.
Here he is -- broadcasting on Seattle's KKOL AM 1300.
The Rabbi will be on KVI 570 conservative talk radio in the 8 oclock hour this morning. Should be an interesting hour.
I'm wondering how many people believe the lying rabbi is really 'devastated and appalled'? There are a lot of anti-Christians in America these days, people who can't stand the joy Christmas brings to His followers, and who feel they must bring chaos where Peace resides. May the good rabbi decide to leave America if he feels it isn't to his liking, and take his hatred and chaos with him.
Unfortunately I won't be able to listen. Libertina said Kirby was going to go soft on this guy.
Is it politically correct to say that I think this Rabbi is a schmuck? If not, then I must apoligize to all whom I offended, and just say that I think he is a misguided putz.
Well it's CHRISTMAS for cryin' out loud!
The trees were up already.
What was there to think about?
"What we have are holiday trees," she said. "If we are going to display symbols representing other cultures, we have to think what that means and what's respectful and what would make a good display. Maybe it would be 'Holidays of the World.'"
Puhleeeese.
Overpaid/bloated government bureacracy at work here folks.
And the media frenzy continues...
By 9 p.m. Sunday, www.seattletimes.com had received about 800 comments to a story that, in print editions, topped the front page.
Keep FReepin' 'em!
Kirby Wilbur (KVI 570 radio) in Seattle will have this airhead rabbi on at his 8:00am hour this morning. Kirby also advertised the tel # for the Port Of Seattle. It is 206-728-3000 in case anyone would want to call.
It's really a pagan symbol as tall spires were used to worship the norse god "ima-nekkidin-dawoods"
To say this is a Christian symbol is a farce. There were none of these in Jesus time and were simply added in later times by Christians.
/sarcasm
Muahahaha! Unintended consequences, and all.
You are correct, there is no comparison whatsover between Christmas and hannukah; the former is an extremely important holy day to its followers, the latter simply is not. This being the case, it's fairly easy to determine that some people are using 'hannukah' as an instrument to take the joy out of Christmas by attacking it and suppressing it. But alas, they tried to suppress Christ 2,000 years ago by crucifying Him, and that didn't work. Some folks just never learn.
I might have before I saw his posted photo. He looks like he could easily play the part of "Liberal Wussy" to a "T".
Sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover!
Need it or not, you've got it.
Because they were making a point---and personally I support them 110%.
Rather than engage in negotiations with "aggrieved" whiners and their filthy lawyers, the Port gave them the finger closed up shop.
Neat and simple, and it puts the onus squarely on the shoulders of the loudmouth who started the whole thing.
Methinks the Rabbi didn't realize what the fallout would be, and now regrets the stink he made.
He wants an apology for what he, himself, started?? I don't think so pal. Can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
Wrong, Navy. He was simply asking to place a Menorah there and that was an extremely reasonable request. That he had to resort to a law suit in the first place speaks volumes about the idiots running the airport. Don't misdirect your anger at him. Besides, did you catch board member Davis' remarks that they were "holiday trees?" Save your thunderbolts for her and her fellow board members. Add an "ex-" to their title as a Christmas present.
The Jewish "Imam" is a registered Democrat and also a member of the ACLU. When the islamonutjobs take over America he'll be the first one beheaded. Oh well!
WA freeper ping list - calling ping!
The Airport should of put up a Menorah as well, Jesus was a Jew and would of honored or celebrated Hannukkah as well.
The month of December has always been a celebration of Christmas and Hannukah.
I don't think Jesus said not to celebrate Hannukah, when he did.
He needs to move to Tel Aviv, and help the Cause. For what it's worth, here in Mexico, many Evangelical Christians find it difficult to connect Christmas Trees to The Manger of Bethlehem. Like it is more American Culture, sometimes viewed as pagan, but hardly an item mentioned in the New Testament Scriptures. The only references to 'decorated trees' in the Bible were pagan rites.
They'll never do that... they'll just rename it "Winter".
Please don't let your take on the personality of the rabbi color your views. I hate to have to say it, but this is the root of anti-semitism. People take the attributes of some Jew they don't like and generalize it to a sweeping "I don't like the Jews." It's wrong, but it wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't for the propensity of groups down through the ages to go from that to saying it's ok to discriminate, force conversions, and kill.
They should have just put the Menorah there.
This weekend we'll be going down to DC to see the National Christmas Tree (where we were engaged last year) and I know for a fact there will be, as there has been for about 25 years, a Menorah there as well.
Rabbi....you idiot....it's a HOLIDAY CANDELABRA....NOT a Menorrah(sp)
I think I agree, too. Given what little I know about the situation.
My only concern about putting up a menorah and keeping the trees is that you know what will happen before long....
....the evil Moslems will insist THEIR crescent or something will have to be up. And of course since every news anchor and business in the US loves Moslems, it will go up.
I think I'd rather not see anything than see any Islam icon!
"There is no debate on this anymore," Grad said. "The menorah is something the Port is legally obligated to put up. But the Port was either unwilling or incapable to do so and instead folded its tent."
ALLEGHENY COUNTY v. GREATER PITTSBURGH ACLU, 492 U.S. 573 (1989)
I can't say I would agree with the moslims on most things, but when is comes to a solution to this @sshole, we might just be on the same side.
Here is my email to the Rabbi. His email address is: rabbi@chaiseattle.com
Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky,
Why is removing Christmas trees from public forums during the Christmas season so important to you? When I see Jewish symbols I am not offended. I am very happy to see them. It tells me that there are people of faith and kindness. My first impulse when I see Jewish symbols is not to say there must also be a Christmas tree or I am going to sue!
Personally, I find your actions to be very petty and childish. Millions of people will go through the SEATAC terminals and be denied the traditional Christmas experience because you could not see your chosen Jewish symbol. That does not strike me as a positive way to win friends and find common ground with your opponents.
Hundreds of millions of Christians in this country generously support the State of Israel and all that she stands for. Do you think your petty stand “You must take down the Christmas trees, if you do not put up Jewish symbols, or I will sue is really the appropriate action to be taken? Why cannot you be as generous and understanding of American Christians as they are of the Jewish faith and the State of Israel?
You really have disappointed me. Your actions bring great sorrow to me and many others.
Sincerely,
Some may do this, but I believe most simply want to have a celebration at the end of the year, and don't want their kids to feel left out while all the gentile kids are having their orgy of consumerism. At least that's the way it was when I was growing up.
The Airport Seatac is just ignorant...
The Christmas Tree just signals that December is the month of Christmas, does it make people reflect on the birth of Jesus? proably not, it makes people think "Oh look how pretty the tree is and makes them think who they still need to buy presents for.
The religious aspect would be if there was a Menorah and a Nativity Scene, now that would possibly make people think of all faiths or none at all, December is a month of "reminding" that through the *Jews* a Saviour would be born.
That child is the Messiah, He is God, our redeemer who will pay for all the sins of the world (Is.53:4-5, Jn.1:29)...
Just found this from Michael Medved's blog. Haven't had a chance to read it through but he knows the rabbi and may have him on his show today. Read below:
http://michaelmedved.townhall.com/Blog.aspx
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Did A Lone Rabbi Mean to Ban Christmas Trees?
Posted by: Michael Medved at 11:56 PM
There’s an outrageous story out of Seattle (my home base) that shows the way that good intentions can occasionally produce disgusting results. Because of the prevailing climate of political correctness, a decent guy and honorable clergyman looks like a horse’s rear end and has provoked appropriate indignation from millions of people.
According to misleading news stories featured prominently in newspapers and on TV (including KING 5 TV News): “All 15 Christmas trees inside the main terminal at Sea Tac Airport (Seattle-Tacoma International) have been removed in response to a complaint by a rabbi. A rabbi wanted to install an eight-foot menorah and have a public lighting ceremony. He threatened to sue if the menorah wasn’t put up and gave a two day deadline to remove the trees.”
Who is this wretched rabbi who, apparently, wanted to spoil the holiday joy of his Christian neighbors out of pique and selfishness simply because he didn’t get the right to erect his own Hanukah display?
As a matter of fact, I know and like Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky, the now notorious clergyman at the center of this swirling controversy. He’s a good guy, a young father of five (including new-born twins), and the son-in-law of the wonderful Rabbi at the synagogue I attend each week. I know that Rabbi Bogomilsky harbors no animus whatever toward Christians or Christmas. In fact he told the Seattle Times that he felt “appalled” by the airport’s decision to remove all its Christmas trees without warning on Saturday night. According to Rabbi Bogomilsky, “Everyone should have their spirit of the holiday. For many people the trees are the spirit of the holidays, and adding a menorah adds light to the season.” According to the rabbi’s lawyer, Harvey Grad, “They’ve darkened the hall rather than turning the lights up.”
I spoke to Rabbi Bogomilsky less than a hour ago and he may join me on my radio show tomorrow to apologize to the community at large for the totally unintended consequences of his desire to include a large menorah along with the airport’s holiday decorations (according to various stories there were either 22, or 15, or 9 different Christmas trees before the airport cleared them away in the dead of night). When I asked the rabbi directly whether he would want the trees removed if the airport refused to put up his menorah he insisted, “Absolutely not.” He has no problem with the Christmas trees, which have brought seasonal joy to the airport (and provoked no complaints) for more than a decade. He would greatly prefer that the airport restore the trees – even if they fail to include the requested menorah alongside the seasonal greenery. In fact, another local rabbi and close personal friend, Daniel Lapin, has begun soliciting Jewish signatures on a petition to demand the return of the trees – and we will gladly recruit Jewish volunteers to provide free labor if that would help get the job done.
Those of us who are comfortable and secure in our own religiosity (which would surely include the rigorously observant Rabbi Bogomilsky) don’t feel threatened by public displays of faith by our Christian neighbors. Generally, it’s secular fanatics (of both Jewish and Christian background), militant separationists, who have waged war on Christmas trees, ten commandments monuments, crosses, and other benign symbols of the nation’s religious heritage.
So what went wrong with this whole miserable affair?
After two months of indecision from the Port of Seattle (the quasi-governmental agency that runs the airport) concerning the request for a menorah, the rabbi’s lawyer made the mistake (yes, it was a mistake) of threatening a federal lawsuit and the airport people panicked and ordered the removal of the trees. “We’re not in the business of offending anyone and we’re not eager to get into a federal lawsuit with anyone,” said Craig Watson, chief lawyer for the Port of Seattle. Patricia Davis, head of the Port Commission said, “We didn’t have other cultures represented and rather than scramble around to find representations of other cultures at this late date, we decided to take them down and consider it later.”
This is ridiculous, of course. “Other cultures” do not observe popular holidays at precisely this time (the Islamic month of Ramadan is over) and in thousands of public and private locations across the country the abundant, prominent and very beautiful Christmas decorations are harmlessly complemented (if hardly balanced) by menorahs.
Of course, in the current climate of hyper-sensitivity regarding public expressions of religious commitment, Rabbi Bogomilsky and Harvey Grad should have avoided the chilling, unnecessary phrase “law suit” at all costs --- even if the Port of Seattle refused to give them a timely answer on their menorah request. As a result of the threatened litigation, the whole world is witnessing a horrible situation in which the religious enthusiasm (however well intended) of one individual has led to the removal of decorations enjoyed by literally hundreds of thousands.
In addition to apologizing to those masses, and working conscientiously to restore the Christmas trees, I hope that Rabbi Bogomilsky and his colleagues in the sincere and warm-hearted Chabad-Hasidic movement in Judaism will reconsider their menorah strategy next winter. They’ve already succeeded in magnificent terms in installing some 6,000 highly visible menorahs in public places across the country (including, by the way, the Washington State Capitol in Olympia) – and even at unlikely sites like Red Square in Moscow. This is a singular, even inspriring, achievement. If, however, local authorities prove unwilling to accommodate the menorahs, it’s a terrible idea to try to force their hands by comparing our candelabra to Christmas trees or wreaths or Santa Claus effigies already in place.
Though some of my fellow Jews may howl in protest when I say so, there are strong arguments to be made against public menorahs that can’t be made against Christmas trees. It’s not just that Christians outnumber us in this society by about 40 to 1; it’s that Christmas trees reasonably can be construed as a secular symbol but a menorah (despite some prior court decisions) emphatically cannot. The eight-branched “Hanukiah” or “Menorah” that we light every year for the holiday specifically recalls the seven-branched menorah that was a sacred element in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem up till 70 A.D. Though the big menorahs with bulbs that are prominently displayed in public places are not, strictly speaking, sacramental objects (because they don’t use candles or oil), they distinctly resemble the smaller menorahs we use at home and over which we recite blessings (citing the Almighty, of course) every night of the holiday. In fact, the chief mitzvah (holy commandment) of the Hanukah holiday requires the lighting of these candelabra and reciting the blessings, so it’s deeply misleading or, at best, a stretch, to call the menorah a secular symbol. Christians do not routinely pronounce blessings or recite prayers over Christmas trees.
This doesn’t mean that I think that menorahs should come down from public places: they belong in parks and plazas and airports, shedding the light of their message, but so do nativity scenes and other holiday symbols that bear unmistakably religious trappings. When the founders prohibited “an establishment of religion” they did not mean to banish all faith-based imagery from the public square.
Nor, for that matter, did Rabbi Bogomilsky mean to banish Christmas decorations from the Seattle airport.
Spokespeople for the Port of Seattle say they’re “not in the business of offending anyone,” but when did Rabbi Bogomilsky ever say, or even imply, that he was offended by Christmas trees? As a matter of fact, he welcomes the trees, as do I, as do all people of good will – Jewish and Christian alike.
What offended the rabbi and should offend all of us is the banning of religious symbols, not their presence. The airport may not be “in the business of offending anyone” but they’ve just offended just about everyone with their stubborn, wrong-headed, and utterly misguided decision.
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