Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondeck announced she will not be attending the city’s annual Menorah lighting ceremony due to her belief that the event has become too politicized in support of Israel. Gondeck conveyed her decision in a social media post on December 6th, explaining that the development saddens her and that the late nature of the event update has made it impossible for her to attend.
The announcement was met with intense criticism from several MPs who argue that the mayor’s decision could potentially endanger the Jewish community in Calgary. Among them is Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, who stated that Gondeck’s decision may validate and perpetuate anti-Semitic behavior in the city, thereby threatening the safety of the city’s Jewish residents. Others called upon Gondeck to reconsider her decision and to offer her support to the Jewish community during this trying time, when concerns about anti-Semitism are at an all-time high.
The controversy in Calgary comes in the wake of similar issues in other areas of North America. In Moncton, New Brunswick, for example, the city initially planned not to display the Menorah at city hall, only to back-pedal after receiving backlash from the local Jewish community. An earlier cancellation in Williamsburg, Virginia, drew attention to the divisive nature of these decisions. While there are supporters who believe the Menorah should only be displayed at faith-based events, advocates of inclusivity feel that it should be a universal symbol of celebration. Overall, the treatment of the Menorah at public events has ignited conversations about diversity, inclusion, and the power of symbolism.