Rabbi A Grinch

"They've darkened the hall instead of turning the lights up," said Bogomilsky's lawyer, Harvey Grad. "There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch."

This is very ironic for another reason. This story has already been posted here, in another thread. At the end of the MSNBC story as posted was the comment by the Rabbis attorney that the intent was never to get the trees pulled, but just to get the menorah put up.

Quote:

"They’ve darkened the hall instead of turning the lights up," said Bogomilsky’s lawyer, Harvey Grad. "There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch."

Link to the MSNBC story.

The exact origin of the Christmas tree seems under debate, but it is safe to say that this symbol evolved from Pagan tradition.
The Norse pagans and Celtic Druids revered evergreens as manifestations of deity because they did not "die" from year to year but stayed green and alive when other plants appeared dead and bare. The trees represented everlasting life and hope for the return of spring.
The druids decorated their trees with symbols of prosperity -- a fruitful harvest, coins for wealth and various charms such as those for love or fertility. Scandinavian Pagans are thought to be the first to bring their decorated trees indoors as this provided a warm and welcoming environment for the native fairy folk and tree elementals to join in the festivities. The Saxons, a Germanic pagan tribe, were the first to place lights on the their trees in the form of candles. Ancient Romans decorated their homes with greens at the Festival of Saturnalia, their New Year and exchanged evergreen branches with friends as a sign of good luck.