Puppet Theater Company to Perform "The Town That Fought Hate" at Temple Beth El Mekor Chayim of Cranford and Westfield

Temple Beth El Mekor Chayim of Cranford and Westfield, located at 338 Walnut Street, Cranford, will be opening its doors to the community on Sunday, December 18 at 10 a.m. for a riveting and educational performance of The Town That Fought Hate, presented by the Catskill Puppet Theater.  

The production, suitable for all ages, recounts the remarkable events that took place in Billings Montana in 1993, after a hate group smashed a young boy’s bedroom window because he had displayed a menorah.  Following the incident the entire community, Jews and non-Jews, banded together to take a stand against anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.   Based on the children’s book, The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate, by Janice Cohn, the Catskill Puppet Theater’s production uses masks, shadows and a memorable array of puppetry to communicate an important message to children: a community must always remain tolerant of cultural differences  united against hate.   “The holidays are a time where communities should be thinking about how all of its members are treated and teaching children that respecting differences makes us all stronger,” said Robin Berkman, a member of TEMC’s Board of Education.  “We hope members of the community will join us at our ‘warm place, cool shul’ for this wonderful learning experience.”  Thanks to a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. David Schwartz of Cranford, admission to the play is free to the public.  For more information, contact Tamara ruben at truben8@yahoo.com or call 908-276-9231.