Rochester City Hall Adds Menorah This Season

As Rochester's City Hall lit its Christmas Tree that sits in the center of City Hall's atrium, there was a new addition to the holiday celebration: a menorah.

Last year, there was controversy after the lack of a menorah at Rochester City Hall.

A local man offered to donate a menorah to the city but the city declined it, saying it was as a religious symbol, saying the Christmas tree is a a secular symbol.

This is what Mayor Tom Richards had to say last year at the menorah lighting in Washington Square Park.

"It's a debatable issue as to what you should do in city hall, city hall is the seat of government...we have to be careful about not necessarily endorsing a specific religion or sponsoring it," said Mayor Tom Richards, City of Rochester.

But this year, the city worked with the local Chabad group to add a menorah at City Hall.

Spokesperson Gary Walker said they had discussions following last year's holiday.

Walker said last year they got the request very late and it was under different circumstances where the city would operate the menorah.

They say the menorah works this year because there will be no religious prayers or lighting each night and it is owned by Chabad.

The menorah is set on a timer.

"As case law by the Supreme Court was very specific. If you team a secular menorah with a holiday tree or Christmas tree in that setting, then it becomes a secular object, it becomes a holiday tradition and not a religious artifact. And which is what we have here," said Gary Walker, city spokesperson.