Rabbi Says He Won't Sue Over Lack Of Menorah

A holiday controversy in Seattle appears to be nearing an end.

It all started last week, when a local rabbi told officials at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport that since the airport had Christmas trees on display... maybe they should also have an 8-foot-tall menorah at the airport.

The Supreme Court has ruled both objects can be displayed in public settings, as nonsecular symbols for the holiday season.

SeaTac officials, however, thought if they displayed a Jewish holiday symbol... they would have to display symbols of other religions and cultures, as well. Officials at SeaTac said crews didn't have the time to do that during the busy travel season.

So, last week... they took down the Christmas trees. The rabbi "never asked us to remove the trees; it was the port's decision based on what we knew at the time," said Patricia Davis, president of the Port of Seattle commission, to the Associated Press.

The port's decision didn't sit well with Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky. He confirmed he never wanted the trees removed... just to have a menorah displayed at the airport.

"For many people, the Christmas tree is an important symbol of the season. Our goal was to include a menorah in the airport as well so that we could bring extra light with Hanukkah's universal message of hope," Bogomilsky wrote in a statement. "Our discussion of possible legal action was never about removing Christmas trees -- it was about protecting the right to add menorahs."

Bogomilsky had threatened a lawsuit... but this week, he told the airport he wouldn't sue.

So, the trees have returned to SeaTac. No word yet, though, on whether a menorah will join them. Bogomilsky's lawyer, Harvey Grad, said his client has offered to give the port an electric menorah to display.

After the Christmas trees were removed, several employees at airline ticket counters decorated their workspaces with small trees.

FMI: www.portofseattle.org/seatac/