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Maui erects Christmas tree to protect menorah

A Hawaii county erected a Christmas tree to protect a Chanukah menorah from a church-state separation challenge.
The American Civil Liberties Union complained to Maui County this week after seeing the menorah, accompanied by a dreidel, in front of the county building. A local rabbi had asked authorities for permission to set up the menorah. The ACLU cited laws that say that displaying a religious symbol by itself could constitute endorsement of that religion.

County workers scrambled Wednesday to find a Christmas tree, in short supply in Hawaii this late in the season. One was found at a local botanical garden.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/faith/news-article.aspx?storyid=71925

Maui Puts Christmas Tree Next to Menorah Following Complaint

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) -- A Christmas tree has been set up next to a Hanukkah display in front of a county building in Hawaii after the American Civil Liberties Union questioned whether a Jewish religious display could legally stand alone on government property.

ACLU legal director Lois Perrin said members of her group spotted a menorah in front of the County Building on the island of Maui along with a dreidel -- a spinning top used in a game played by Jewish children during Hanukkah.

Perrin objected that the display gave the impression that Maui was endorsing Judaism, but when beside secular holiday symbols, like Christmas trees, such displays do not endorse religion.