Tolerance of all religious beliefs is only the beginning of true cultural awareness. The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate, text by Janice Cohn and illustrated by Bill Farnsworth speaks to the need to defend religious beliefs that are different from an individuals beliefs. The United States Constitution specifically protects freedom of religion; most students never think of religious freedom in locales that are predominantly Christian because the issue is never raised. This book re-tales the contemporary true story of a town in Montana that fought bigotry and hate directed toward its Jewish community in 1993. The story is told from the point of view of an eleven year old Jewish boy(perfect for a fifth grade class studying American history and government) whose town fights against violent anti-semitism.When homes displaying menorahs are vandalized the town takes a stand by having all homes, Christian and Jewish, display the menorah. Soon business and churches of all faiths join the crusade and menorahs are suddenly everywhere in this predominantly Christian community.
The lessons of tolerance reach beyond religion and can be extended to issues of race, gender, and disabilities. My fifth grade students love this story and how it allows them to see how they can make large differences through small acts of solidarity.
I first became aware of this story when I saw the made for television movie Not in This Town, which is based upon the book. The video can be purchased at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Not-This-Town-Kathy-Baker/dp/0783222513/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=video&qid=1246300712&sr=8-1) for a very reasonable price.
There are several websites that have lesson plans based upon this book and film. I have listed several for your perusal: http://hastings.ci.lexington.ma.us/Library/Yes/Lessons/Community/communit.htm and http://ctp.facinghistory.org/book/export/html/12
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