Menorah added to holiday display in Capitol

SPRINGFIELD - A Hanukkah menorah was added to the holiday display in the Statehouse rotunda Friday, joining a holiday tree, Nativity scene, satanic sculpture and winter solstice sign installed days earlier.

Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois, a group that aims to further the worldwide Hasidic Jewish movement, placed the symbol of "spreading light and increasing light," Rabbi Meir Moscowitz said.

"The menorah is the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith, a seven-branch candelabra of the nation of Israel in order to be a 'light unto the nations,'" Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, a Democrat from Chicago and a member of the Jewish Caucus, said in an email. "I am delighted that it is displayed every year in the Capitol rotunda in celebration of the holiday."

The office of Sen. Ram Villivalam, a Democrat from Chicago, applied Dec. 4 with the secretary of state's office to install the holiday display addition.

"I have the largest concentration of Jewish constituents out of any district in the state, ... and so I see firsthand the different religions, cultures and languages throughout my district," he said. "I also see how important it is to celebrate each one and also recognize the commonalities that each one has with the other. Displaying the menorah is an opportunity that we have to bring people together."

Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois has displayed this menorah for "many, many years," Moscowitz said, and will be adding a new accompanying sign "in the coming days."

To celebrate Hanukkah, which begins the night of Dec. 22, a staff member will light each bulb on the corresponding day, he added.

"Hanukkah is unique in that the message of Hanukkah is spreading light and increasing light. Every day we add one more," Moscowitz said. "It's a universal message, ... especially nowadays when there is so much negative news - it's important to metaphorically and practically make positive news and light and goodness. Where is more appropriate than the Capitol of this special state?"