The city administration has figured out how to provide a “nativity scene” in its Christmas display in Mellon Square without spending any public funds. The city will spend about $4,500 on the display, but will not pay for any statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph which will be included in the exhibit. Instead the city will accept a “nativity scene” as a gift from a private donor.
Various Jewish groups here notified the city last weekend that in their opinion the use of public funds or public property for the display of religious symbols violates the constitution. Specifically, the Jewish community protested against efforts made by two Council members to authorize the erection of a display in Mellon Square, during the next Christmas season, depicting the “nativity scene” and providing that figures of Jesus and Mary be included.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
