“Arkansas Menorah in the Baghdad Palace” to celebrate Chanukah

[jody]

Arkansas Menorah in the Baghdad Palace

Celebrating Chanukah 2007 in Saddam Hussein's Republican Palace, who would think? Yet tonight inside a marble encrusted hall in Baghdad, we lit the eighth light of a hand-made, 6-foot tall menorah. We prayed in Hebrew, joyfully sang a medley of Chanukah songs, ate latkes, and best of all, we were Jews together in the land of our earliest forefathers.

The Jewish community at the US Embassy in Baghdad is growing and thriving to such an extent that we now reliably form a minyan. We call ourselves B'nai Baghdad -- a diverse group of US and Coalition uniformed service members and civilians stationed in the International Zone (IZ), known colloquially as the "green zone," an enclave in central Baghdad that houses Iraqi government officials, various embassies, military headquarters, and international aid organizations.

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It happens that Col. House's father, Grover, now retired, is one of the premiere steel fabricators in the United States. His work in steel provides the support for hundreds of structures throughout the country. Grover and his wife Mary Alice have no Jewish connections, but they enthusiastically spent numerous hours and their personal funds to fulfill their son's request for a Baghdad menorah. After consultation about the structural requirements (eight arms and a shamash), Grover and Mary Alice hand-crafted a beautiful 6-foot-tall brushed aluminum menorah, and shipped it to Col. House in November. It is a work of art and on display in the Palace for all to appreciate.

So tonight, the last night of Chanukah, we sang and partied together near our glowing menorah in one of the palace halls. Chaplain (Rabbi) Shlomo Shulman, visiting tonight from Camp Striker, infused us all with his contagious enthusiasm. Nearby, non-Jews watched with interest and some wandered over to join in. We dined on wonderful kosher foods sent by private citizens, youth groups, congregations and troop support organizations. And we thanked God that we are healthy and unharmed, and our efforts in support of a stable and secure Iraq are bearing fruit.

I wonder how Iraq’s Muslim community views this celebration?

[Happyhippychick]

1. I don't know why they should have a problem with it.

Everybody loves a good latke.

[LiberalinNC]

2. That's a great story..

I sent it on to my rabbi!

[TomInTib]

3. I wonder whose brilliant idea this was?

Karen Hughes?

Seems a bit "in your face" to me.

[The Stranger]

4. That makes it seem like a conquest.

Rumsfeld kept souvenirs of the conquest as well.