On the eve of Robbinsville’s annual ‘Tree Lighting Ceremony,’ which was held Tuesday evening, Mayor David Fried wrote an open letter to residents affirming the event’s strong bond with t
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
ROBBINSVILLE — On the eve of Robbinsville’s annual “Tree Lighting Ceremony,” which was held Tuesday evening, Mayor David Fried wrote an open letter to residents affirming the event’s strong bond with the Christmas holiday by officially designating it a “Christmas tree and Menorah lighting celebration.”
The event was held at the Greenes at Foxmoor on Washington Boulevard.
”I have received feedback from members of our community offended that the Christmas tree lighting … has been advertised as a ‘Tree Lighting Ceremony,’ with no mention of Christmas,” Mayor Fried wrote.
He noted further the township had historically held the event that subsequently became known as a “Holiday Tree Celebration” and ultimately a “Tree Lighting Ceremony” due to “concerns of political correctness.”
”This is just not right,” the mayor wrote. “We can say we have a Menorah, a Jewish religious symbol, but for some reason we can’t call our tree what it is — a Christmas tree, which is not even a religious symbol. The tree is a symbol of the Christmas celebration.
”Personally, I feel the politicization of Christmas has gone too far,” he added, noting the township is respectful of every religion represented in the community.
”Many of our elected officials recently took part in a Hindu celebration at the BAPS Temple,” he said. “We also embrace the Muslim community and our schools recognize Jewish High Holy Days, but for some reason in our society it has become taboo to recognize Christianity. I have often wondered why, and I intend to treat all religions fairly in Robbinsville.”
The mayor also broached the subject of religion as it relates to the First Amendment.
”It prohibits ‘establishing a state religion’ because that is what England had done. It does not prohibit religious displays and celebrations in our public institutions,” he said. “In fact, the second part says exactly the opposite, ‘or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’”
The mayor further voiced support for a legislative effort introduced by Assemblyman Ron Dancer that would make it the law to allow religious celebrations and decorations in schools if they include more than one religious denomination.
The mayors stance also comes on the heels of controversy in nearby Bordentown, where religious songs in a school concert became a topic of debate.
The MacFarland Intermediate School’s winter concert, ironically scheduled for the same evening as Robbinsville’s tree lighting, was originally scheduled to include the songs “Bring the Torch,” “Los Reyes de Oriente” and “We Sing Gloria.”
Initially, the district banned the songs after a parent had brought the attention to the building principal who in turn went to Superintendent Dr. Constance Bauer.
The songs were briefly re-introduced to the concert before the district opted to leave the decision to staff organizing the concert.
Ultimately, a list of songs to be performed at the concert did not include the original three songs, but did include “Silent Night” and “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” both of which have lyrics referring to Christ as savior.
The Bordentown Regional Board of Education will examine its policy on the matter, but was unable to do so prior to the concert.

