Local Jewish leaders say thanks for community support
Whitefish Deputy Mayor Richard Hildner accepts a Menorah from Rabbi Francine Roston and Rabbi Allen Secher last week at the O’Shaughnessy Center. (Courtesy photo)
The Flathead Valley Jewish community held an event last week to show its gratitude to the city of Whitefish and state of Montana.
Glacier Jewish Community/B’nai Shalom sponsored the event, which was intended to thank residents of Flathead Valley and the state for offering support to the Jewish community and Whitefish businesses that came under attack by an online troll storm this winter.
Representatives from the Glacier Jewish Community made presentations to Whitefish City Councilor Richard Hildner and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock. Each was given a Chanukah menorah made of Jerusalem stone as gifts of gratitude.
“The celebration was an opportunity to express gratitude for the Whitefish Community, the Flathead Valley and the state of Montana for their resistance, backing, caring, and for formally standing up to denounce anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry,” Rabbi Francine Roston said in a prepared release.
Glacier Jewish Community/B’nai Shalom is a small congregation in the Flathead Valley that has no synagogue or temple building, notes Sandy Perry, the chair of the congregation.
“Some of us grew up here, others were attracted by the same quality of life factors that attract many people here — the beauty of the area, the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors during all four seasons, the arts scene, the wonderful food — you name it,” Perry said in a prepared release. “We’re here because we love it here. So thanks again to our Flathead and Montana neighbors for showing that the vast majority of our community knows hateful anti-Semitism when they see it, and for clearly saying no — not here.”
Members of the Jewish community and some Whitefish businesses became the focus of an online troll storm late in 2016. The community responded to the attacks by showing support to those affected and held a Love Not Hate community block party in January.
Forty-two rabbis from around the U.S. and Canada also participated in last week’s presentation. A concert by world-renowned Jewish vocalist Neshama Carlebach concluded the evening.