Amy DeSalvatore, Special to the Neighb News
Thank-you Fairhaven:
I want to thank all the members of our community in the Fairhaven area that responded to a request to display Menorahs, and decorations for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and other less represented holidays this past Holiday season.
At the December meeting of the local group “Fairhaven for All,” it was noted that many Jewish families felt uncomfortable about displaying Hanukkah menorahs in their windows this year. Fairhaven for All sent emails out and asked folks as a show of support to consider putting a menorah, Kwanzaa and/or other holiday decorations. up. The intention was to make all members of our community feel safer* and more welcomed this year*. I think it worked!
One Jewish family said, “It made it so much easier to put my Menorah and Kwanzaa decorations in my windows this year with my neighbors doing the same. I felt welcomed, safe and accepted by my town. I am really touched by my neighbors’ caring actions. Getting the emails about Lighting up Fairhaven with Menorahs and Kwanzaa decorations from Fairhaven for All, seeing the educational display of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Devali holidays by Jessica Fidalgo at Town Hall, the contest tree #5 in front of our Town Hall with the Star of David garland, the Hanukkah sign at Benoit square, along with buying a Hanukkah themed craft at the Old Fashion Holiday Fair at First Congregation Church of Fairhaven, being able to purchase most of my Hanukkah & Holiday gifts at the Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven and at our local Fairhaven shops, and then to top it off seeing the Gelette Road lights for the first time. All these Holiday events combined to make it a wonderful holiday community experience in Fairhaven for us.”
M.D.C., Fairhaven: “First time I put my Menorah flag out in public.”
R.A., Fairhaven: Another neighbor said, “I hope there will be even more Menorahs, Kwanzaa and decorations of less included holidays next year.”
M.L., Fairhaven: Thank-you to all those in our community that were able to respond so quickly to this request especially during the busy holiday season..
*https://newbedfordlight.org/hate-groups-flyers-target-new-bedford-neighborhood/
- A Menorah display is outside on a front porch in Fairhaven during the 2024 holiday season as part of an effort by residents to foster a welcoming atmosphere for all religions. Submitted photo..
- A Hanukkah flag flies on a house in Fairhaven for the first time during the 2024 holiday season after an effort by residents to foster a welcoming atmosphere for all religions gave the owner the confidence to display the flag. Submitted photo.
- A Kwanzaa decoration is displayed in a window in Fairhaven during the 2024 holiday season as part of an effort by residents to foster a welcoming atmosphere for all religions. Submitted photo.
- A Kwanzaa banner is displayed on a front porch in Fairhaven during the 2024 holiday season as part of an effort by residents to foster a welcoming atmosphere for all religions. Submitted photo.
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