Senator John Kennedy's Hanukkah Greeting Sparks Positive Response
Louisiana Senator John Kennedy's recent tweet wishing both Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah sparked an online discussion about religious tolerance in America today among his followers who praised him for his inclusive message .
Dec. 24, 2022 4:24PM
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A picture depicting Senator John Kennedy standing next to a menorah with a star on top alongside a Christmas tree with presents underneath it symbolizing religious tolerance and acceptance between different faiths during the holiday season
Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana recently took to Twitter to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to his constituents. His tweet was met with a positive response from many, including one Jewish follower who expressed that they were not offended by the Christmas greeting. The tweet, which read “@SenJohnKennedy I’m Jewish and I’m not offended by a Merry Christmas. No biggie! Happy Hanukkah also” has since been retweeted over 500 times and liked over 1,000 times. It has also sparked an online discussion about religious tolerance and acceptance in America today. Many have praised Senator Kennedy for his inclusive message of holiday cheer, noting that it is important for all Americans to be respectful of each other’s beliefs during this time of year. Others have pointed out that it is possible to celebrate both holidays without feeling the need to choose one over the other. The original poster of the tweet, identified as @jake_tillman on Twitter, said he was “pleasantly surprised” by Senator Kennedy’s response and thanked him for being open-minded and understanding towards different religions. He went on to say that he hopes more people can take a page out of Senator Kennedy’s book when it comes to respecting others regardless of their faith or beliefs. This sentiment was echoed by Rabbi Barry Gelman who stated that while some may find the idea of celebrating both holidays controversial, it is important for people to recognize that there are many different ways in which people express their faith or celebrate their culture during this time of year. He added that we should strive for unity rather than division during this season and be mindful not only of our own beliefs but those around us as well. Senator Kennedy himself responded positively to the tweet saying “I'm glad you're not offended Jake! We should all strive for mutual respect no matter what our background or belief system may be." His message resonated with many who believe that we should all work together towards creating an environment where everyone feels accepted regardless of their religion or cultural background.