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An Illinois city sparked controversy by limiting the display of a Hanukkah menorah to just a few hours instead of the full eight days.
On Tuesday, more than 6,500 people signed a Change.org petition calling on Lake Forest to allow the menorah to be displayed at the Market Square shopping center throughout the holiday.
“The City is pleased to support Chabad of Lake Forest’s Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Ceremony in Market Square on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Stanford Tack will participate by lighting candles at the center of the Menorah and officials receiving other local elections to join the event,” a city north of Chicago said in a statement
“Although this ceremony is a valuable community activity, But the menorah will not remain in Market Square unattended after this year’s event,” it added, “based on legal advice from the city’s attorney. The city must grant all requests for extended showings by private groups on public property. or deny it entirely to ensure safe public access. and consistency in the use of public space.”
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The Hanukkah menorah will be lit in Lake Forest. Illinois In December 2023 (Shadow of the Forest Lake)
“Because approval of all such requests may lead to challenges in managing public space. The city chose to allow limited-time displays only. It is part of a special event organized by a community group,” the statement said.
A Change.org petition written by a self-described local “interfaith family” saw last year’s menorah display in Market Square take place over eight days and “It has brought us great joy and has been well received by our community.”
“however We 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 spirit of inclusion our city demonstrated last year. And it makes us extremely discouraged as well. Just like any other family Many more families appreciate the menorah display that showcases the diversity of our community,” the report added.
“Let us push for the restoration of the menorah at Market Square. Not just one night But throughout the eight nights of Hanukkah by continuing practices that honor and showcase the cultural and religious diversity within Lake Forest,” it concludes.
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The menorah illumination is being hosted by Chabad of Lake Forest in December 2023. (Shadow of the Forest Lake)
Rabbi Moshe Spalter of Chabad of Lake Forest told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that 2023 is “the first time we’ve actually held an event there and the first time we’ve had a menorah there for all eight days of Chanukah.”
“They were excited about the idea last year. But this year I guess they will think more about it and change their minds,” he said.
Spelter said he would like the menorah to be allowed to remain in the city for the full eight days of Hanukkah.
last year Volumes at Market Square in Lake Forest Illinois It is allowed to remain in place for the duration of Hanukkah, according to Rabbi Moshe Spratter. (Shadow of the Forest Lake)
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“We tried to get the city to do it. It’s not that easy. And at this point it was very close to Hanukkah. We just hope that next year we’ll be able to start operating right away and hopefully within the next year. Next year they will be able to allow it,” he told Fox News Digital.
“I encourage everyone to show up and make this a memorable event for the city of Lake Forest,” Spatter said. “It was a great event and especially with all the noise it made. I think it’s great for the community to come together and celebrate all of us.”
The City of Lake Forest did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
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