Menorah won't be displayed outside Moncton city hall for first time in 20 years

For the first time in 20 years, the menorah will not be displayed outside Moncton city hall during Hanukkah.

Francis Weil, president of the Moncton Jewish Community, says the city's decision not to allow the menorah is a profound "hurt" to the people he represents. 

Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold conveyed the decision to Weil on Monday.

At the meeting, the mayor said "city hall should be neutral as far as religion is concerned," Weil said.

He said the decision was further discussed Thursday, when Arnold met with Weil and other members of the community.

Weil followed this up with a news release, saying that in making the city's case, Arnold cited a 2015 Supreme Court ruling against municipal councils opening their meetings with prayer.

Weil called the court ruling about council meetings a "pretext."

Despite numerous efforts to speak to Arnold and city spokesperson Isabelle LeBlanc throughout the day Friday, CBC News was unable to confirm the menorah decision or the rationale for it. There was no response at all.

Meanwhile, Christmas symbols, including angels with trumpets, are on display outside Moncton city hall. In light of the menorah decision, Weil called this "an indicator of discrimination."

"On the ground of city hall, there will remain a large Christmas tree, and there will remain angels flying around city hall,"  Weil said.  "We have absolutely nothing against the Christmas tree. We feel it is beautiful to have the Christmas tree, and we have nothing against the angels. But how can you justify having religious symbol from one religion and banning something from another region? 

The menorah, a nine-branched candelabra, or "chandelier," as Weil describes it, represents freedom and "celebrates tolerance for all religions in the world." 

He said the decision not to allow this symbol of peace has him questioning the inclusiveness of the city. "Last night I sent a message to the mayor telling her that we have to be careful. We cannot hurt the reputation, the good reputation of the city of Moncton."

Moncton-based lawyer Leigh Lampert, who is a member of the Moncton synagogue board of directors, attended the Thursday meeting as a member of the Jewish community.

He said that the decision, made "behind closed doors," was based on principles of separation of church and state as a rationale, saying, according to Lampert, "city hall was the people's house. It was not a place for religious symbols."