Hobby Lobby Doesn’t Want Your Jewish Money

Chain Hobby Lobby has been at the center of controversy at the intersection of freedom and religion before, when the chain objected to being unable to decide on what health coverage employees get because it is a “Christian” business — and now the brand is under fire for refusing to sell Jewish holiday crafts, allegedly.

Hobby Lobby’s reported refusal to sell Jewish craft supplies is not specifically “on the record,” but many anecdotal reports across the web indicate the company may have a quiet policy against carrying art supplies for Jews, Jewish holidays, and other such turnings they believe are out of line with their Christian beliefs. (Dear Hobby Lobby, in Catholic school we learned that Jesus himself was actually Jewish. It’s true. It’s on Wikipedia.)

It’s a bit murky where specifically the rumor of Hobby Lobby’s Jewish supplies policy comes from — and as of now, there is no official word that the company doesn’t carry supplies that are Judaism-related on purpose. But AddictingInfo.com reports that one customer was told Hobby Lobby doesn’t “cater to you people,” forcing the company to release a statement about the retail of Jewish items — the blog quotes:

“Over the course of the last few days, word has spread about the company’s refusal to carry products related to Jewish holidays, sparking a boycott. This led to Hobby Lobby releasing an official statement: ‘Alleged comments made by employees are currently being investigated and will be addressed accordingly. These comments are in no way indicative of Hobby Lobby culture, the owners and the operators.’ ”

That site’s writer says he or she spoke with a Hobby Lobby employee, who was reportedly caught off guard by questions about Hobby Lobby banning Jewish craft supplies — quoting:

“We’re a Christian company. I’d—it’s nothing personal. If it were up to me, you know…”

AddictingInfo’s quote goes back to a local Patch article, which is still murky about the alleged Hobby Lobby’s Jewish items ban. It would appear that few or no items used for crafting themed for Jewish holidays are sold in Hobby Lobby stores, but if the policy is an official one as deemed “biblically” proper, no one can locate proof.

Have you seen Jewish craft supplies at Hobby Lobby, or do you have to go to Michaels’ or Jo-Ann to make your Hanukkah decorations this year?