State of Montana Newsroom
Gov. Gianforte Celebrates Hanukkah at State Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony
HELENA, Mont. – Joined by Jewish community and spiritual leaders, Governor Greg Gianforte today marked Hanukkah with a menorah lighting in the State Capitol.
Gov. Gianforte participating in the menorah lighting ceremony
The governor participated in the ceremony with Rabbi Chaim Bruk of Bozeman, Rabbi Sonja Pilz of Bozeman, and Rabbi and Montana State Representative Ed Stafman of Bozeman, among others.
In his remarks, the governor referenced a proclamation he issued recently declaring Shine A Light Week in Montana to coincide with Hanukkah.
“The purpose of Shine A Light Week is to use the Festival of Lights to champion the message of light and send a message of support and solidarity with the Jewish faith and people,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Let me be clear – Montana stands in light with the Jewish faith and people, and we stand firmly against the darkness of anti-Semitism.”
The governor continued, “Our freedom of religion guarantees religious liberty to all faiths, without prejudice or fear. Our freedom of religion is a bedrock of our American exceptionalism, dating back several centuries ago. And we must not allow or permit the darkness of anti-Semitism to cloud that freedom. It is our obligation and responsibility, as Americans and as Montanans, to shine a light on it. So today, we light this menorah to celebrate the Festival of Lights, mindful of the light we must shine on the darkness that is anti-Semitism.”
“And as Judah the Maccabee and the Maccabees taught us after reclaiming the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, a little light can go a long way,” Gov. Gianforte concluded.
The governor’s Shine A Light Week proclamation can be viewed here.
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