Brooklynites celebrated the first night of Hanukkah with a special celebration in Grand Army Plaza on Thursday.
Photo by Erica Price
More than 1,000 people gathered in Grand Army Plaza on Thursday night to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah by lighting the borough’s largest menorah.
The joyful celebration, filled with live music and fresh latkes and hot chocolate to ward off the December chill, was particularly meaningful, attendees said, as antisemitism has spiked in New York City and across the country as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on.
“We are excited to have UJA Federation, as part of the Shine the Light initiative, partner with Chabad of Park Slope on this large community public menorah lighting last night,” said Rebecca Saidlower, Executive Director of Community Mobilizers at the UJA Fedaration. This year more than ever it feels incredibly important to celebrate our Judaism publicly and proudly, with all the increased antisemitism going on, we’re not going to hide away in the darkness, we’re going to bring our light out into the city even more.”
Musican Moshe Reuven joined Noam Buskila, an Israeli soldier and singer, in a special performance to begin the celebration as the sun went down. Attendees were joined by local leaders and elected officials, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
“Hanukkah represents light over darkness and the power of miracles,” Williams said in a social media post about the event. “On the first night of Hanukkah, it was an honor to celebrate the lighting of the menorah with the Brooklyn community. In a world too often shrouded in darkness, we must strive to be a light, together.”
Saidlower said it was “incredibly important” for elected officials and other Brooklynites to show their support for the Jewish community — and that it was just as important to be reminded of Jewish resilience by faith leaders. Each year, the menorah is lit in remembrance of Jewish…
Read the full article here
