Rabbi Moshe Spalter Talks Menorah Controversy & Community Unity | Lake Forest Podcast

🎙️ Join Pete Jansons, Skoo Walker, and Joe Weiss as they welcome Rabbi Moshe Spalter to discuss the recent menorah lighting controversy in Lake Forest, community unity, and spreading light amidst challenges. Rabbi Moshe shares insights into Hanukkah traditions, community growth, and upcoming events at Chabad of Lake Forest. The conversation also touches on broader interfaith relations and how to strengthen community bonds. Plus, we explore listener questions and local insights with plenty of laughs!

Key Moments:
0:00 Support our Show via Patreon www.patreon.com/lakeforestpodcast
2:32 Pre-Show
3:42 Deerpath Clip
3:57 Rabbi Moshe Spalter joins the show
4:09 Happy Birthday Joe Weiss
5:29 Last Year's Menorah Lighting Clip
6:25 Fake News Headlines regarding reasons why Menorah Lighting is only one night versus eight
7:10 Why didn’t Christians do a nativity scene this year?
7:50 Who covers the liability of the Menorah candle?
8:25 People are saying there were liability issues and questioning who would pay and take responsibility for the Menorah candle
9:00 Reference to Lake Forest, Illinois Market Square Holiday Tree / 1255243855798100
9:35 Supreme Court and holiday tree decision https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynch_v...
12:34 Pete reads a note he received regarding Menorah candle liability
14:10 Rabbi Moshe publicly stated that Lake Forest wasn’t being anti-Semitic https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=5...
16:40 Shouldn’t there be an agreed-upon place in Lake Forest for public religious expression?
17:35 Did Highland Park have this issue?
20:40 Lake Bluff Menorah was allowed—how did that happen?
23:50 Are there other options besides Market Square to put up the Menorah?
26:14 What is the downside to Market Square displaying religious expressions?
27:45 Holiday tree, Holiday Grass, Holiday Market Square display
30:04 Was 2023 just a one-time eight-day Menorah celebration at Market Square?
31:57 Rabbi Moshe was never told it was a one-time event for eight days
34:00 Is there a religious forum or council in Lake Forest, Illinois?
35:15 Why not just use Lake Bluff as the designated area for Menorah Lighting?
38:25 What are the solutions to correct the issue?
39:20 Gorton Center as an option for gathering place for community religious celebrations
43:40 Updates on Chabad of Lake Forest
44:20 How many Jews are in Lake Forest, Illinois?
44:45 Can the Menorah celebration be done at Lake Forest College?
47:24 What are the dreidels for?
48:41 Where was Brad Schneider? Who is Bob Morgan?
49:30 Rabbi Moshe doesn’t try to convert people to Judaism
52:30 Magic Door
53:50 What is a mensch?
54:14 How to get in contact with Rabbi Moshe Spalter: / chabadoflakeforest https://www.jewishlakeforest.com/
55:27 What is the next Jewish event?

💡 Want to get involved or learn more? Contact Rabbi Moshe via JewishForest.com or their Facebook page!