LAKE FOREST (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The decision by a north suburb to limit a Hanukkah Menorah display to just a few hours has led to objections from thousands of people and disappointment from a local rabbi.
Last year, a Menorah was on display in Lake Forest's Market Square for all 8 days of Hanukkah, but this year it will only be on display during a ceremony on Sunday.
Attorneys for Lake Forest said if the city continued to allow an extended display of the menorah, it would have to do the same for any private groups that wanted to have extended displays on public property.
City leaders said that could lead to challenges in managing public spaces.
Rabbi Moshe Spalter of Chabad of Lake Forest said he's disappointed by the decision, but he also had praise for the suburb's leaders.
“We are looking forward to having a beautiful event on Sunday, with the support of the city who has been helpful arranging that event, and they’ve been supportive overall and establishing a Jewish community here in Lake Forest, so we thank them for that,” Spatler told WBBM.
Thousands of people signed an online petition calling on Lake Forest to allow the Menorah to be on display throughout Hanukkah.
Rabbi Spalter said he plans to work with Lake Forest leaders to find a way to make that happen next year.
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