Celebrating Hanukkah Amid War

CHARLOTTE -Tair Guidice says many Jewish people in Charlotte and across the world are scared to show their religion given today’s climate, especially during Hanukkah.

“Many of my friends, um, this year decided not to display any outward, um, Hanukkah symbols in their houses because of concern and fear.”

The festival of lights wrapping up on the 15th after nine nights. Tradition teaches that the menorah needs to be placed in a visible space. Many are concerned to do that.

What happened at Monday’s city council meeting also worries them.

“It was very sad to see that, the Jewish voice was silenced that night in a government chamber.”

Dozens of Palestinian protestors came to the meeting, chanting over Jewish citizens who had signed up to speak during the public comments section. WCCB’s Emma Mondo asked Guidice what the speakers were planning to talk about before they were cut off.

“We were sharing our concerns about how we’re seeing our society being torn apart and our community being torn apart here in charlotte and how our civic cohesion is really being pulled and the type of rhetoric or tactics that we are seeing that can be very problematic.”

Guidice says even though city council doesn’t impact foreign policy, they do impact Charlotte.

She says it’s their responsibility to make sure all of our communities feel safe.

“That you can advocate for the cause you believe in. um, but you can do that without demonizing and dehumanizing the other side or silencing the other side. and that was really his message.”