December 27th 2024.
The decision made by Lake Forest officials to limit the presence of a Menorah in Market Square this year has caused quite a stir among the residents. Many believe that the traditional Hanukkah symbol should be displayed for the full eight days of the Jewish holiday, rather than just during a single ceremony.
On December 29th, the Chabad of Lake Forest has planned a special Menorah lighting ceremony in Market Square, with Mayor Stanford "Randy" Tack scheduled to attend. However, there has been a change from last year's celebration. This time, the Menorah will only be present during the ceremony and not for the entire Festival of Lights, which has left some feeling disappointed.
Rabbi Moshe Spalter, the director of the Lake Forest Chabad, expressed his disappointment, stating that he was hoping for the Menorah to be displayed for the full holiday. He also mentioned that the city has been very helpful in the past with the Menorah and they were expecting the same support this year. Unfortunately, the city had different reasons for their decision.
The city's choice has sparked outrage among the residents, leading to a petition with over 6,800 signatures. One resident, Michael Karras, shared his frustration with the decision, stating that he was disappointed that the city could not find a respectful way to observe the eight days of Hanukkah for the growing number of residents who celebrate the holiday. He also added that this decision reflects poorly on the city's leadership and missed an opportunity to promote inclusivity during the holiday season.
According to the city officials, their decision was based on legal guidance from their attorneys. They stated that the city must either allow all requests for extended displays on public property or deny them all to ensure safe public access and consistency in the use of public spaces. The length of last year's display raised questions and prompted the city to reassess the situation. It also led to inquiries from other groups about displaying temporary installations, like a nativity scene. To ensure fairness and consistency, the city has decided to only approve temporary installations on public property as part of a specifically approved, time-limited special event.
However, by limiting the Menorah lighting to just the ceremony, Lake Forest has taken a different approach than neighboring communities, such as Lake Bluff, where the Menorah will be displayed on the Village Green for the entire duration of Hanukkah. When asked about this difference, city spokesperson Dana Olson stated that each town makes their own decisions and that the City of Lake Forest has chosen to not display the Menorah for all eight nights or other requested displays on public property, based on legal guidance from their attorney.
Rabbi Spalter clarified that he understands the city's decision was based on legal considerations and other factors, and he is not accusing anyone of anti-Semitism. He also mentioned that in today's climate, with anti-Semitism on the rise, it's understandable for people to have that concern, but he assures everyone that it is not the case here. He emphasized that they have a positive and supportive relationship with the city and hope to work together on this matter in the future.
In an interview, Rabbi Spalter, who opened the Chabad in 2023, shared that having the Menorah displayed for the full eight days would have been a powerful symbolic gesture for Lake Forest, a town that has historically had a limited Jewish population. He believed that it would have been a great opportunity for the city to showcase their progress and inclusivity. He also mentioned that the city has come a long way, and the fact that they have had a Hanukkah celebration for the past couple of years shows their positive direction. Allowing the Menorah to be displayed for the full holiday would have been a beautiful statement for the city.
When asked about the concerns regarding the optics of limiting the Menorah's presence to just the ceremony, Olson did not respond directly. However, she did express gratitude for the Chabad's initiative in organizing the ceremony and invited residents to participate and celebrate with them. She also mentioned that she hopes the Chabad and city officials can work out a different arrangement for next year and that she is friends with City Manager Jason Wicha.
In conclusion, the decision to limit the Menorah's presence in Market Square this year has caused disappointment and sparked a petition among the residents. City officials maintain that their decision was based on legal guidance, while the Chabad hopes to work together with them for a different arrangement next year. Despite the differing opinions, the Chabad and the city continue to maintain a positive and supportive relationship, with the common goal of creating a welcoming and inclusive community.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
