In early October I asked the manager of my apartment building for permission to hold another Chanukah party. Last year she almost refused use of the community room because it was illegal bingo night. I reported the illegal bingo to the state and the entire illegal operation was shut down. The building manager told me afterword that she would "let" me use the community room
I was refused this year for no reason whatsoever.
I put my request for a holiday party a good month before anyone else. Lo and behold, I saw notices for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day parties. No Chanukah parties this year. Well, perhaps it was the "right" thing for the wrong reason. I now plan on having cozy and more intimate parties several nights in a row, inviting friends one night, immediate family another, and save on night for a handful of friends (not Jewish) so they can see the beauty of Chanukah and the victory, and I pray, Hashem (to view Hashm and the Jewish people in a positive light).
I've already made plans for the parties and have decorations in mind. The parties will be nice--small, cozy apartment, fireplace (xtians don't have exclutivity rights on winter holidays and fireplaces!). Religious music. Besides, if I did have a party in the community room I would have needed permission to turn the lights on the Christmas tree off, and light my chanukiah (I have three). Since my non-Jewish friends think of a fully lit menorah, I'll probably buy an electric one so as not to disappoint them, but will explain why a candle is lit one night at a time.
It's funny. I was watching some really old family movies (not videos, the old old Brownie camera and projector). I was two-years old and getting into everything. I grabbed my sister's Barbie case, and she took it away from me. I went for my brother's remote controlled car. He took that away.
Next thing there's a shot of me on the floor playing with a top (the kind that you press one part of it up and down to get in spinning).
I could scream religious discrimination but on second thought, why should I share Chanukah with Christmas when one holiday is holy and the other idolatry?
Besides, I will have the chanukiah in my front window and my apartment now faces the park. Everyone will see it. It will be separate from all of the Christmas stuff and unique. People will notice it, it will stand out as separate.
It will stand out as special.
These lights! These lights!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Denied Right to Chanukah Party
"well I hope the party comes along nicely despite the obstacles"