Azrieli College Students in Jerusalem: "The Christmas Tree in the Cafeteria Offends Our Sensibilities"

Students at the Azrieli College of Engineering in Jerusalem are upset about the decision to place a Christmas tree in the cafeteria. The students claim this is a college with a Jewish character, and the decision to place a Christmas tree in the public space is offensive and hurts their religious sensibilities as Jews.

"I wonder if I were studying in Bethlehem—would anyone in the administration respect my feelings as a Jew and set up a menorah during Chanukah," a student said this week. "The college has a prayer room for the Muslim students. No one is upset about that because it isn’t done prominently. We understand the need to respect their religion and allow them to pray in a respectable and organized place. But placing a Christmas tree in a public space offends us as Jews, especially as observant Jews."

Another student stated: "I say this clearly—I don't want to enter the cafeteria and see a Christmas tree. With all due respect, we live in a Jewish state and study at a Jewish institution. For me, there is a limit to pluralism. Everyone should do what they want in their private space, but placing a Christmas tree in the public space—in the center of the cafeteria—is unacceptable. The Christmas tree is a distinct symbol of the Christian faith, and anyone trying to naturalize it is mistaken."

Azrieli College stated: "Azrieli Academic College of Engineering in Jerusalem is a public college with a broad student body representing diverse populations in Israel.

The college is participating for the second year in the President's project "Israeli Hope in Academia," which expresses all forms of multiculturalism in Israeli society. At the request of the populations department in the student association, we approved the placement of a Christmas tree for the Christmas celebrations, similar to placing a menorah during Chanukah.

The college sees itself as a home for all students, staff, youth, and different groups that routinely visit. Being a home for all students means recognizing and embracing the various religions and beliefs that exist in the college. The values we attempt to instill as an institution are mutual respect, personal attention, and commitment, and we regret that a certain public views this as a religious offense. We will reassess the location of the tree, considering the feelings of the majority of the student body."

Placing a Christmas tree is a Christian tradition observed by Christians worldwide during the Christmas season. For many years, fierce debates have erupted around this issue, and in various public places, it is a point of contention. Just last year, the decision by the Jerusalem Municipality to distribute Christmas trees to the city's Christian residents provoked anger. About two years ago, the Chief Rabbinate of Jerusalem issued a directive prohibiting the placement of Christmas trees in the city's hotels.

About three weeks ago, a heated online debate ensued over an attempt to promote a private initiative to place a Christmas tree in the square of Rishon Lezion's Municipality or Rothschild Boulevard for the benefit of the community of immigrants from former Soviet states who celebrate New Year’s (Novy God). The initiative did not materialize.

City council member Jamal Shmuel clarified at the time: "We wouldn’t have allowed such an initiative to move forward. Besides the Haredi public in the city—to whom such an initiative certainly offends—there is a traditional public who also finds it disturbing and offensive to see a symbol of idolatry in the public space. Such a thing bothers every Jew—it’s a basic matter. With all due respect, we live in a Jewish state, and here we will celebrate and acknowledge our holidays."