This year's Calgary Community Menorah lighting will see the attendance of both Premier Danielle Smith and Mayor Jyoti Gondek at City Hall. This comes after last year's event was overshadowed by controversy when the Mayor declined to attend, citing the event's perceived support for Israel. The event is being presented as a celebration of light, Jewish pride, and the right to practice the Jewish faith.
The annual Calgary Community Menorah lighting will take place in the City Hall atrium at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Premier Danielle Smith and Mayor Jyoti Gondek will both be in attendance this year. Last year’s event was marked by controversy, after the mayor decided to not attend because it had been “repositioned as an event to support Israel ” based on a flyer.CTV has reached out to the mayor’s office to ask why there was a change of heart this year.
Chabad Lubavitch Alberta Senior Rabbi Menachem Matusof said Monday’s event is “a celebration of light, Jewish pride, and supporting our holy land, Israel.” Rabbi Matusaof said Hanukkah is about freedom of expression and the right to practice the Jewish faith
Calgary Community Menorah Lighting Hanukkah Premier Mayor Controversy Religion Israel
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