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An Illinois city has sparked controversy by restricting a Display of the Hanukkah menorah for a few hours instead of the full eight days.
As of Tuesday, more than 6,500 people have signed a Change.org petition asking Lake Forest to allow the menorah to be displayed at its Market Square mall for duration of rest.
“The City is pleased to support the Chabad of Lake Forest Menorah and Chanukah Lighting Ceremony in Market Square on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 4 p.m. Mayor Stanford Tack will officiate by lighting the middle Menorah candle, and other local elected officials are expected to attend” , a city located north of Chicago, it is stated in the press release.
“While the ceremony is a valued event for the community, the menorah will not be left unattended in the Square this year after the event,” it added. “Based on legal guidance from city attorneys, the City must either allow all requests for extended exposure by private groups on public property or deny them entirely to ensure safe public access and consistency in the use of public spaces.”
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The Hanukkah menorah is lit in Lake Forest, Ill., in December 2023. (Chabad of Lake Forest)
“As granting all such requests could lead to challenges in managing public spaces, the City has decided to allow only time-limited exhibitions as part of special events organized by community groups,” it also said.
A Change.org petition, authored by a self-proclaimed local “interfaith family”, he said last year’s menorah display in Market Square was open all eight days and “brought us great joy and was well received by our community.”
“Unfortunately for us, however, we have learned that this year the city will only allow the menorah to be displayed for a few hours on the evening of December 29th. This decision undermines the inclusive spirit our city demonstrated last year and is also deeply discouraging to us as well as many other families who appreciated a representation of the diversity of our community on the menorah,” it added.
“Let us commit to re-planting the menorah in Market Square, not just for one night, but for all eight nights of Hanukkah, continuing the practice of honoring and showcasing the rich cultural and religious diversity within Lake Forest,” it concluded.
ONE RECIPE FOR DONUTS FOR THIS HANUKKAH
A menorah lighting event was held by Chabad of Lake Forest in December 2023. (Chabad of Lake Forest)
Rabbi Moshe Spalter of Chabad of Lake Forest told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that 2023 was “the first time we really had an event there, and it was the first time we had a menorah up there for all eight days of Hanukkah.”
“They were excited about the idea last year, but this year I guess they thought about it a little bit more and changed their minds,” he said.
Spalter said he would prefer the menorah to remain in the city for the full eight days of Hanukkah.
Last year, according to Rabbi Moshe Spalter, the menorah at Market Square in Lake Forest, Ill., could remain up for the duration of Hanukkah. (Chabad of Lake Forest)
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“We’ve been trying to get the city to do it, it’s not that easy and at this point with it being so close to Hanukkah we’re just hoping that within the next year we’ll start working on it right away and hopefully by next year they’ll be able to allow it,” he told Fox News. Digital.
“I encourage everyone to come and show up and make this event memorable for the City of Lake Forest,” Spalter also said. “It’s a nice event, and especially with all the buzz that’s been going on, I think it’s great for the community to come together and come and celebrate all of us.”
The City of Lake Forest did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
