Feingold sparks debate in Kenosha newspaper

           On March 9, the Kenosha News published an opinion article by Rabbi Dena A. Feingold, spiritual leader of Beth Hillel Temple.

          In the article, Feingold expressed opposition to the placing of a Chanukah menorah and other religious symbols at the Civic Center Park.

          “I oppose the placing of an extended display of religious symbols on public property,” she wrote. “I believe that such an act violates the ‘establishment clause’ of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.”

          Moreover, she added, “One such display encourages the proliferation religious symbols in the public square, creating an atmosphere in which religions vie for equal space and equal time. Kenosha’s menorah has produced precisely that result: In a Kenosha News article, the coordinator of a Nativity scene in Civic Center Park said that the crèche had been erected as the ‘Christian response to the menorah lighting….’”

          In an email to The Chronicle, Feingold said she had received “a smattering of positive feedback from congregants and local clergy.”

          On April 9, the Kenosha News printed an opinion article by Mary Anne Lakovich defending the display of religious symbols.

          “The Menorah and the Nativity scene are historic symbols of the highest aspirations the Founding Fathers hoped for in our government,” she wrote. “The symbols themselves are not the problem. Those deliberately withholding our true history from the American public are a large part of the problem.”

            Both articles are available on the Kenosha News website.