A Hanukkah menorah display in Lake Forest, Illinois sparked controversy when the city limited the display to a few hours instead of the full eight days of the holiday. More than 6,500 people signed a petition demanding the display be allowed for the entire duration of Hanukkah in the Market Square shopping center. The city stated that it supports the Chabad of Lake Forest’s menorah lighting and Chanukah ceremony, but the menorah will not remain on public display after the event due to legal guidance from the city’s attorneys. The city has chosen to only allow time-limited displays as part of organized special events by community groups to ensure safe public access and consistency in using public spaces.
The Change.org petition, written by a local interfaith family, expressed disappointment over the decision to limit the menorah display to a few hours on December 29th. They emphasized the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the community, urging for the reinstatement of the menorah for all eight nights of Hanukkah. Rabbi Moshe Spalter of Chabad of Lake Forest noted that last year was the first time they had the menorah up for the full eight days of Chanukah, and they hoped for the same this year. Despite the city’s decision, Spalter encouraged the community to participate in the menorah lighting event and celebrate together.
Spalter expressed his desire for the city to allow the menorah to remain up for the full eight days of Hanukkah in the future. He acknowledged the challenges in achieving this but remained hopeful that they would be able to work with the city towards that goal. The community was urged to support the event and make it memorable despite the controversy surrounding the menorah display. The City of Lake Forest had not responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital at the time of reporting on the issue.
The city’s decision to limit the menorah display to a few hours raised concerns among community members, particularly those who valued the representation of diversity and inclusivity in Lake Forest. The controversy surrounding the menorah display highlighted the importance of respecting cultural and religious traditions in public spaces. Rabbi Spalter and the Chabad of Lake Forest continued to advocate for the reinstatement of the full eight days of Hanukkah display in the city, emphasizing the significance of celebrating together as a community. Despite the challenges, they remained hopeful that they could work towards achieving this goal in the future. The controversy served as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to promote understanding and respect for all religious and cultural practices in society.
