By Marshall Allen Staff Writer
Pasadena Star-News
PASADENA - To the disappointment of local Jews, the management of Paseo Colorado is ending an annual Hanukkah menorah display in an effort to eliminate all religious symbols from the shopping center.
Meanwhile, Paseo still features its towering Christmas tree, which they say is not a religious symbol.
The open-air shopping mall sits in the heart of Pasadena's civic center and has displayed the 13-foot-tall menorah for the past three years. The symbol is sponsored by Chabad of Pasadena, a Jewish congregation of about 300 people.
The synagogue's leader, Rabbi Chaim Hanoka, said the theme of Hanukkah is bringing illumination and light to the world. The menorah, with its nine candles, is an important symbol, he said.
The menorah is not allowed because religious symbols are not appropriate in the commercial center, which has no religious affiliation, said Colleen Dunn, regional general manager for Developers Diversified Realty, the company that manages Paseo.
"As for the tree, it's not religiously affiliated," Dunn said. "It's just holiday decor that's become part of the decor this time of year. Our focus is on Santa Claus, which has no religious affiliation."
Dunn said it is company policy to avoid religious symbols, though a previous manager did allow the menorah in 2003 and 2004. Dunn said she cannot speak to the decisions of her predecessors. A call to the company's corporate headquarters in Ohio was not returned.
Hanoka is disappointed that Paseo eliminated the menorah display. But he is especially perplexed by Dunn's belief that the Christmas tree is not religious.
"You can call it whatever you like, but just about anybody in the world calls it a Christmas tree," he said.
Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, a conservative Jewish congregation, said the mall is making a "terrible decision" to end the menorah display.
Grater said he will be discussing Paseo's decision with local rabbis because he's concerned about excluding the Jewish community. It does not make sense to be less inclusive than in the past, he said.
"Being open and welcoming to as many patrons as possible is good for business," Grater said. "I would think the menorah is good for business."
Grater was also puzzled by the logic of eliminating all religious symbols, but allowing a Christmas tree. He referred to it as a "weak argument" and a "vacuous excuse."
"I spoke with three of my minister friends and they all assured me that a Christmas tree is religious symbol and it's placed in the home of Christians during Christmas," Grater said.
The Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints Church in Pasadena, said the Christmas tree is absolutely a religious symbol. Other institutions, including malls, allow a diversity of religious symbols during the holidays, he said.
"It's about being gracious and that's a much more attractive position for Paseo to take than to deny the religious nature of a Christmas tree," Bacon said.
For now, the menorah will be housed at the Chabad of Pasadena synagogue at 1090 E. Walnut St. It's possible the menorah will be displayed next year at the One Colorado shopping center in Old Pasadena, where management was receptive to the idea, Hanoka said.
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard said he is disappointed by the mall's decision, though he respects it.
Bogaard said Pasadena is a "welcoming, diverse community" and he will try to find an appropriate place for it to be publicly displayed next year.
marshall.allen@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4461
Pasadena Star-News
PASADENA - To the disappointment of local Jews, the management of Paseo Colorado is ending an annual Hanukkah menorah display in an effort to eliminate all religious symbols from the shopping center.
Meanwhile, Paseo still features its towering Christmas tree, which they say is not a religious symbol.
The open-air shopping mall sits in the heart of Pasadena's civic center and has displayed the 13-foot-tall menorah for the past three years. The symbol is sponsored by Chabad of Pasadena, a Jewish congregation of about 300 people.
The synagogue's leader, Rabbi Chaim Hanoka, said the theme of Hanukkah is bringing illumination and light to the world. The menorah, with its nine candles, is an important symbol, he said.
The menorah is not allowed because religious symbols are not appropriate in the commercial center, which has no religious affiliation, said Colleen Dunn, regional general manager for Developers Diversified Realty, the company that manages Paseo.
"As for the tree, it's not religiously affiliated," Dunn said. "It's just holiday decor that's become part of the decor this time of year. Our focus is on Santa Claus, which has no religious affiliation."
Dunn said it is company policy to avoid religious symbols, though a previous manager did allow the menorah in 2003 and 2004. Dunn said she cannot speak to the decisions of her predecessors. A call to the company's corporate headquarters in Ohio was not returned.
Hanoka is disappointed that Paseo eliminated the menorah display. But he is especially perplexed by Dunn's belief that the Christmas tree is not religious.
"You can call it whatever you like, but just about anybody in the world calls it a Christmas tree," he said.
Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, a conservative Jewish congregation, said the mall is making a "terrible decision" to end the menorah display.
Grater said he will be discussing Paseo's decision with local rabbis because he's concerned about excluding the Jewish community. It does not make sense to be less inclusive than in the past, he said.
"Being open and welcoming to as many patrons as possible is good for business," Grater said. "I would think the menorah is good for business."
Grater was also puzzled by the logic of eliminating all religious symbols, but allowing a Christmas tree. He referred to it as a "weak argument" and a "vacuous excuse."
"I spoke with three of my minister friends and they all assured me that a Christmas tree is religious symbol and it's placed in the home of Christians during Christmas," Grater said.
The Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints Church in Pasadena, said the Christmas tree is absolutely a religious symbol. Other institutions, including malls, allow a diversity of religious symbols during the holidays, he said.
"It's about being gracious and that's a much more attractive position for Paseo to take than to deny the religious nature of a Christmas tree," Bacon said.
For now, the menorah will be housed at the Chabad of Pasadena synagogue at 1090 E. Walnut St. It's possible the menorah will be displayed next year at the One Colorado shopping center in Old Pasadena, where management was receptive to the idea, Hanoka said.
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard said he is disappointed by the mall's decision, though he respects it.
Bogaard said Pasadena is a "welcoming, diverse community" and he will try to find an appropriate place for it to be publicly displayed next year.
marshall.allen@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4461
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