Last year, my family and I celebrated our first holiday season in Lake Forest. We are an interfaith family and were thrilled when the city, in a wonderful gesture of inclusivity, chose to display the menorah in Market Square for all eight nights of Hanukkah for the first time in the city's history. This event brought great joy to us and was well-received by our community.

However, to our dismay, 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 inclusive spirit our city showed last year and deeply disheartens us as well as many other families who appreciated the menorah display's representation of our community's diversity. 

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is observed for eight days and nights, and each night is significant. Limiting the display of the menorah to a few hours for one night fails to respect the full meaning and celebration of this beloved tradition. Many cities worldwide, recognizing the importance of cultural representation, display public menorahs throughout all eight days of Hanukkah, symbolizing the commitment to embrace and celebrate diversity.

Let us join together as a community to request City Hall to reconsider their decision. Let us push for the reinstatement of the menorah at Market Square, not just for one night, but for all the eight nights of Hanukkah, continuing the practice of honoring and showcasing the rich cultural and religious diversity within Lake Forest.

Make your voices heard and sign this petition. Together, we can ensure that the glow of the menorah will once again illuminate Market Square for all eight nights of Hanukkah, creating a symbol of unity and inclusivity for all to see.