Illinois city limits Hanukkah menorah display to hours, sparking complaints, petitions

An Illinois city has sparked controversy by limiting Hanukkah menorah displays to a few hours instead of the full eight days.

As of Tuesday, more than 6,500 people had signed a Change.org petition asking Lake Forest to allow its Market Square Mall to display menorahs during the holiday season.

“The City is pleased to support Chabad of Lake Forest’s Hanukkah Ceremony in Market Square on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 4:00 p.m., with Mayor Stanford Tack participating in the lighting candles in the center of the menorah, and other local elected officials are expected to participate,” the city, just north of Chicago, said in a statement.

It added: “While the ceremony is an important community event, the menorah will not be left unattended in Market Square after this year’s event. “Following legal guidance from the city’s attorneys, the city All requests for extended displays by private parties on public property must be either allowed or denied entirely to ensure safe public access and consistent use of public space.”

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It added: “Because granting all such requests may pose challenges in managing public space, the City has chosen to only allow limited-time displays as part of special events organized by community groups.”

The Change.org petition, written by a self-described local “interfaith family”, said last year’s menorah display in Market Square, which lasted for eight days, “brought us great joy and was well received by our community ”.

“However, we are dismayed 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 deeply disheartens us.” and many Like other families who appreciate the menorah display, it showcases the diversity of our community,” it added.

It concluded: “Let us continue to respect and showcase Lake Forest’s rich cultural and religious diversity by pushing to restore the Menorah in Market Square not just for one night, but for all eight nights of Hanukkah.”

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Chabad of Lake Forest is hosting a menorah lighting event in December 2023. (Chabad of Lake Forest)

Rabbi Moshe Spalter of Chabad of Lake Forest told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that 2023 is “the first time we’ve actually had an event there and the first time we’ve had menorahs there for the entire eight days of Hanukkah. ”

“Last year they were excited about the idea, but this year I think they thought more about it and changed their minds,” he said.

Spalter said he hopes to keep a menorah in town for the entire eight days of Hanukkah.

Last year, the menorah at Market Square in Lake Forest, Ill., was allowed to remain during Hanukkah, Rabbi Moshe Spalter said. (Chabad of Lake Forest)

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“We’ve been trying to get the city to do it, but it’s not that simple and it’s so close to Hanukkah and we’re just hoping next year we can start working right away and hopefully by next year they’ll be able to allow it,” he said told Fox News Digital.

“I encourage everyone to come and make this an unforgettable event in Lake Forest,” Spalt also said. “It’s a great event, especially with all the noise that’s going on right now, and I think it’s great that the community can come together and celebrate all of us.”

The city of Lake Forest did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital on Tuesday.