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Letters, Dec. 25 By Gary Nelson By Mail Tribune readers Dec 25, 2022 12:00 AM A A Medford menorah vandalism On behalf of Temple Emek Shalom, the largest Jewish congregation in the Rogue Valley, I write to express our disappointment and despair at the vandalism of the Hanukkah menorah in Vogel Plaza in Medford. We hope that this desecration is fully reported by the Mail Tribune, that the Medford Police Department fully investigates, and that the perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest. Hanukkah teaches us that at every stage in our history, we Jews have stood up to the attempts to silence our voices and snuff out our lights. We will continue to stand loudly, proudly and openly. We encourage everyone, particularly in this holiday season, to raise their voices in condemnation of this act, and in support of the free religious expression of all people. Steven Portnoy, president Temple Emek Shalom Vandalism of a menorah Friday, as I was reading the E-edition, I saw on page 4 a disturbing photo of a vandalized menorah by Andy Atkinson, with the headline “Holiday vandalism.” I think you missed the opportunity to do a story about the ongoing antisemitism in Southern Oregon that mirrors the antisemitism in the entire United States as there was no accompanying story about the vandalism. A story that cries out to be heard. This is a year when Hanukkah and Christmas share the same dates (the last night of Hanukkah is Sunday, Dec. 25) and it is pitiful that there are people out there who find it “fun” to exercise hate or exciting to vandalize the symbols of Hanukkah. It is a definition of irony to hear Yuletide songs of peace, goodwill to all and harmony and yet many of us live with the fear of antisemitism every day, and now even more so during this time of celebration for both Jews and Christians. For many of us, it is not a stretch to see the anonymous vandalism of this menorah morphing into overtly vicious attacks on synagogues and schools. It has happened in the past and it is happening now. MaryAnn Gernegliaro Ashland Solarize Rogue Reap the benefits of solar power without installing panels on your home! Powering your home’s electricity with clean renewable solar energy seems ideal, but for folks whose homes won’t support solar panels or who rent their homes like me, solar seems like a no-go. That’s where community solar comes in. Solarize Rogue is a local nonprofit that has perfected this approach. Earlier this year, they installed solar panels on the roof of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Production Building in Talent, and that project now powers 16 Rogue Valley homes! Now, Solarize Rogue is working on their next project, and anyone served by Pacific Power can invest and benefit from renewable solar energy. They are partnering with Southern Oregon Climate Action Now’s Jacksonville Climate Action Team to share information about this opportunity with homeowners and renters in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas, including Medford. All are invited to learn more from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Jacksonville Public Library. (This event is neither sponsored by, nor endorsed by Jackson County Library Services.) Kayla Mauriello Medford