An Illinois city sparked controversy by restricting A Hanukkah Menorah Display For a few hours instead of eight full days.
As of Tuesday, more than 6,500 people had signed a Change.org petition asking Lake Forest to allow menorah displays in its Market Square shopping center for Vacation duration.
“The City is pleased to support the Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Ceremony at Chabad of Lake Forest in Market Square on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 4 p.m. Mayor Stanford Tuck will participate by lighting the middle candle of the Menorah and other local elected officials are expected to attend.” The city, which is located north of chicago, He said in a statement.
“Although the ceremony is a valuable community event, the menorah will not remain in the market square unattended after the event this year,” she added. “Based on legal guidance from the City Attorney, the City must either allow or completely deny all expansive solicitations by private groups on public property to ensure safe public access and consistency in the use of public spaces.”
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Hanukkah menorah lighting in Lake Forest, Illinois in December 2023. (Chabad Lake Forest)
She also said: “Because approving all of these requests could create challenges in public space management, the city has chosen to only allow limited-time screenings as part of special events organized by community groups.”
Change.org petition, written by a self-described local person “Multifaith family” Last year's menorah display in Market Square lasted all eight days and “brought us great joy and was well received by our community,” he said.
“However, to our dismay, we learned that this year the city will only allow the menorah display for a few hours on the evening of December 29. This decision undermines the inclusive spirit our city demonstrated last year and deeply disappoints us as well,” she added. Which expressed appreciation for the menorah's representation of the diversity of our community.
“Let us push for the return of the Menorah in Market Square, not just for one night, but for all eight nights of Chanukah, and continue the practice of honoring and showcasing the rich cultural and religious diversity within Lake Forest,” the letter concluded.
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Chabad of Lake Forest is holding a menorah lighting event in December 2023. (Chabad Lake Forest)
Rabbi Moshe Spalter, of Chabad of Lake Forest, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that 2023 was “the first time we've actually held this event there, and it was the first time we've held the menorah there for the entire eight days of Chanukah.”
“They were excited about the idea last year, but this year I think they thought about it more and changed their minds,” he said.
Spalter said he would prefer to allow the menorah to remain in the city for the full eight days of Chanukah.
Last year, the menorah at Market Square in Lake Forest, Illinois, was allowed to remain for the duration of Hanukkah, according to Rabbi Moshe Spalter. (Chabad Lake Forest)
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“We've been trying to get the city to do it, it's not that simple, and at this point that it's so close to Hanukkah, we're just hoping to start working on it within next year right away, and hopefully we'll be able to by then.” “Next year they will be able to allow this,” he told Fox News Digital.
“I encourage everyone to come out and make this event an unforgettable one for the city of Lake Forest,” Spalter also said. “It's a beautiful event, and especially with all the noise going on, I think it's great for the community to come together and celebrate us all.”
The city of Lake Forest did not immediately respond Tuesday to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.
