Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek has withdrawn from the annual menorah lighting at city hall after she said she learned it would be repositioned as “an event to support Israel.”
The menorah lighting has been an annual event at Calgary city hall to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The mayor of the day has typically attended the event to participate in the lighting of the candles and to say a few words on behalf of the City of Calgary.
On Tuesday, Mayor Gondek said that it’s been a long-standing tradition for Calgary’s Jewish community.
“I’ve had a chance to participate in it a few times, and it’s a beautiful community event, and I expect that that’s what will be this year as well,” she said earlier this week.
On Wednesday evening, Mayor Gondek posted to the X platform (formerly Twitter), that she had to withdraw from this year’s event.
“When I was asked to speak weeks ago, it was to bring traditional greetings celebrating Hannukkah and the spirit of Calgary’s Jewish community,” the mayor wrote.
“This last minute change goes against the original intention, and has left me feeling let down by leadership. I am saddened that this change makes it impossible for me to attend tomorrow’s event. And I am incredibly concerned that people wishing to celebrate Hannukkah will have their good intentions compromised.”
The mayor’s decision comes at a time of heightened tensions between Palestinians and Jews around the world due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Weekly protests have seen sides at odds with one another, often times forcing road closures due to the swelling number of attendees.
Community coming together
When Mayor Gondek was asked about the ceremony earlier this week, she said this was an occasion to be celebrated as a community. She said given the ongoing tensions, the City’s corporate security was aware of what was happening and were making plans for Thursday’s event.
“I really believe that this menorah lighting is another example of community coming together, and I would hope that everyone understands that it is actually a beautiful occasion that should be celebrated not one that needs to be marred,” she said Tuesday.
The mayor takes a decidedly different tone in her social media post, noting that it’s her responsibility as mayor to attend diverse events for a variety of faith-based communities in Calgary. She said it’s important to celebrate community bonds with others.
“However, when a celebration of community is turned into something with political intentions, it goes against the mission to uphold diversity and inclusion,” she wrote.
The mayor said that the changed nature of the event forces people to choose a side. She said there are no sides to choose in an event where “terrorists incite violence by murdering innocent Israelis, knowing retaliation will follow and lead to the murder of innocent Palestinians.”
“It is absolutely possible to condemn acts of violence and war without choosing one community over another. We have the moral imperative to do so.”
