Religious Liberty Group: Gov. ‘Newsom Can Rightly be Dubbed the Governor who Stole Christmas and Hanukkah’

December 21, 2023

The head of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty named California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) the receipient of the organization’s “2023 Ebenezer Award.”

“In canceling one of California’s most cherished holiday traditions and skipping another, Newsom can rightly be dubbed the Governor who stole Christmas and Hanukkah,” said Mark Rienzi, president and CEO of Becket. “We hope Governor’s heart will grow three sizes next year, so that Californians can once again celebrate their annual holidays with joy.” 

Newsom had cancelled this year’s annual in-person Christmas tree lighting and did not attend the menorah lighting that is traditionally attended by the governor. The governor reportedly said the Christmas tree lighting cancellation was due to fears that anti-Israel protests would disrupt the event.

Becker said gives out the annual Ebenezer award to “the most scandalous holiday season transgressor” who engages in the “most absurd affronts to the Christmas and Hanukkah season.”

Last year’s award winner was the county government in King County, Washington, whose human resources department told employees “they should not display nativity sets, menorahs and other religious holiday displays because they could be offensive to their colleagues.”

A full list of past Ebenezer Award “honorees” can be found here.