A town council has objected to a licencing application to put up a menorah over Chanukah in its town centre.
Epping Town Council has refused the licence on the grounds that the traditional candelabra would be "insensitive to other religious groups” according to a Facebook petition in support of the menorah.
According to the post, the town council also cited disruption to the town’s Monday market even though Chabad of Epping, the organisers of the menorah, have chosen a location which is away from the market stalls and have offered to take the menorah down on market day.
A spokesman for Chabad of Epping said they felt “significant concern regarding the Epping Town Council's objection to the menorah's proposed location, despite there being no disruption to the market or public space”.
He added: “We continue to work collaboratively with Epping Forest District Council and Essex County Council, both of whom have been very supportive, and remain hopeful that permission will be granted for the menorah to stand prominently, allowing the Jewish community of Epping to celebrate Chanukah together with our neighbours.”
A public menorah has been in Epping for the past four years, but in a less central location. Reasons given for the proposed change include vandalism of a previous, shorter menorah.
Chabad purchased a taller menorah for this year’s celebrations, but it required a location with no overhanging trees, they said.
They also said that the new site would provide better lighting and increased community integration.
Cllr Holly Whitbread, a Tory councillor for Epping Forest District Council, who is petitioning in support of the menorah, wrote on Facebook that a menorah not being allowed in the town centre “would be deeply disappointing and upsetting to the hundreds of residents in our local Jewish community”.
She called the town council’s decision “particularly puzzling” as “the new location (opposite M&S on the extended pavement) was chosen precisely because it is not used for market stalls. The neighbouring stallholders are supportive and accommodating and were not even consulted about the council's objection.”
She added: “As a town, Epping prides itself on celebrating various religious festivals, and I believe this Menorah installation should be viewed purely as a religious celebration, much like a Christmas tree.”
Rabbi Yossi Posen of Chabad of Epping said: “Despite these challenges, we have been overwhelmed by the support from both the Jewish and wider community. This outpouring of encouragement highlights the strong sense of unity, inclusivity, and respect for cultural and religious diversity that defines our beautiful town of Epping. It also reflects the remarkable growth and vibrancy of the Epping Jewish community, which has become an integral part of the town's social fabric.”
The application has been supported by Epping Forest District Council, who told the JC: “In recent years, the celebration of Hanukkah has become a welcome addition to the festive season for many of our residents in towns across Epping Forest. We have received the draft consent from Essex County Council, and have consulted with Essex Police, neither of whom has raised any concerns. We are suggesting the placement of the Menorah should go ahead this year. We will see how it goes and gather any lesson to be learnt for future years.
“For clarification, the application was not required to go through a committee process and was a decision taken by the Executive Leadership Team and Elected Member.”
A spokesperson for Epping Town Council, which objected to the licencing application, said: “Epping Town Council were made aware that an application had been submitted from Epping Forest District Council to Essex County Council for a Menorah to be placed outside Marks & Spencer in Epping. The Town Council were not consulted about this. Epping Town Council have always supported the Menorah and its location on the green outside Argus lighting, where it has been enjoyed by many and would support appropriate positioning.
“Epping Town Council’s Market Committee submitted an objection to the application based on the limited information we were subsequently provided with. The Menorah would be sited where the market was operating and was next to the public highway. The objection was made in relation to the location and public safety only.
“Essex County Council are the decision-making authority, and they will need to decide whether to grant the licence. The Town Council will not be withdrawing the objection they have made to the location and concerns about public safety. Epping Town Council have always supported the Menorah and would continue to do so in a safe and appropriate place.”
