This year the tree, which was again purchased by HoCo, will be placed in the House’s Junior Common Room (JCR).

Georgi says this location was chosen as a compromise between those who objected to a tree and those who did not.

“Most people in the House would be happy to have a Christmas tree in the dining hall, but we’re willing to accommodate a few thoughtful people,” Georgi says. “I thought the JCR was more appropriate anyway because it has a fireplace and a piano so it’s a lace that one associates with a Christmas tree.”

A menorah also sits in the window of the Senior Common Room.

Spechler says that these compromise placements are a good solution because no one is “forced to be in the presence of any ‘religious’ symbol.”

Spechler also notes that the Christmas tree is just part of the Leverett holiday festivities, which include a menorah, a candle-lighting ceremony and a snowflake- and gingerbread-making study break.

“Winter’s a dark season and we want to make it brighter for everyone,” Spechler says.

While several opposed to a tree view this as an improvement, for some it is still an imperfect solution.

Leverett resident Emily S. Lin ’02 says the solution strikes her as supporting a “separate but equal” view of religion in the house.

“Instead of having everything separate, it would be nice for everything to be together,” Lin says. “Somebody raised the point that a Christmas tree is bigger and more dominating than a menorah.”

And regardless of the placement, Schechter says he still sees a problem with the purchase of the tree with HoCo funds.

He says that he still thinks it is wrong that Leverett tutors are required to work at the ’80s Dance in order to raise money for the House Committee—some of which is used to buy the Christmas tree.

“In essence, tutors are asked to raise money for religious symbols they may not agree with,” Schechter says.

Elfswhere

While other Houses have not had the debate that Leverett had this year, many employ similar solutions in celebrating the religious holidays.