Moncton City Hall Won’t Display Menorah for First Time in 20 Years: Jewish Community President

Francis Weil of the Moncton Jewish Community says the city cited a 2015 Supreme Court ruling that bans religious prayers at municipal council meetings.

A photo taken from a lifting platform shows a view on a large menorah candelabra after the first flames were lit to celebrate the Chanukah festival, in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, on Dec. 18, 2022. John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images

The menorah won’t be on display in front of Moncton city hall this year during Chanukah—for the first time since the tradition began 20 years ago—says a Jewish community leader from the New Brunswick capital city in a Dec. 1 press release.

Francis Weil, president of the Moncton Jewish Community, said the City of Moncton has informed him that it will no longer set up the multi-branched candelabra during Judaism’s “festival of lights” outside its city hall.