Wellesley -
The faint sound of people singing drifted out over the hum of cars traveling on Route 9.
“I have a little dreidel,” the group of more than 30 people sang. “I made it out of clay.”
This past weekend marked the end of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. During each of the eight nights, candles are lit on a menorah and the traditional Hanukkah song “Dreidel, Dreidel” is commonly sung. In honor of the last night — Sunday, Dec. 28 — the Wellesley-Weston Chabad held its annual menorah lighting. It was dedicated to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.
“Tonight we vow to counter that senseless hate with unconditional love,” Rabbi Moshe Y. Bleich said after the entire menorah was lit. “The flame of the menorah flickering in the darkness of the cold and the night symbolizes Hanukkah’s bold message to never give up and the knowledge that in the end, light is stronger than darkness and goodwill will prevail over evil.”
In late November, more than 170 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Two of the victims were Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivkah, originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., who went to Mumbai to manage the Jewish outreach center there. Bleich lamented their loss.
“Their open hearts and generous acts of love and kindness are the exact antithesis to the hate-filled terrorists,” Bleich said. “They dedicated their short lives to lovingly tend to the needs of others. In life, as in their tragic death, they brought unity among Jews of all backgrounds and affiliations.”
The menorah lighting, however, was also about happiness and joy in lighting the candles. Standing in the yard in front of the Chabad house, the group of people gathered to watch as the menorah was prepped. The huge menorah, which is easily seen from Route 9, required at least two people to help light it: one person to light the candle; a second to screw the candle into the menorah.
Eight different members of the community were called up to light a wick. Daniel Sidman, 9, was called up to light what is known as the “shamas,” the first candle lit. His father, Alan Sidman, said it was a “total surprise to all” of them that Daniel was asked to light the first candle.
Standing nearby was Norm and Amy Gorin of Seaver Street. The couple said they are active members in Temple Beth Elohim and came to the lighting to support Bleich and his family.
“We come every year,” Norm Gorin said. “We came to celebrate the last night of Hanukkah and also the memorial service for the Chabad members who were lost in Mumbai.”
After the menorah was lit, guests were invited into the Chabad house for potato pancakes, doughnuts and a more traditional menorah lighting with prayers. Selwyn Wies of Brookline brought his whole family to the menorah lighting.
“I just think it’s very symbolic to have a menorah sitting out here on Route 9,” he said. It’s just demonstrating the freedom of religion concept in this country.”
Showing posts with label Chanukah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chanukah. Show all posts
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Fest aims to take sting out of Hanukkah party crash
Fest aims to take sting out of Hanukkah party crash
BY JENNIFER BARRIOS AND MICHAEL FRAZIER
December 30, 2008
At first, Dan Smith wasn't sure he wanted to bring his toddler, Judah, to another Hanukkah party.
Smith, 31, of Far Rockaway, said he, his wife, and their two children had been at Chabad's Chanukah Wonderland party in Woodmere on Thursday when a BMW sport utility vehicle crashed into the building. The SUV drove over the spot where, seconds before, Smith's son had stood.
But Smith and his family decided to venture out to another Hanukkah party yesterday, held just blocks away at the Chabad Center of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst.
"I definitely think it's a good idea," Smith said, as Judah, 2, played happily nearby. "Pick up and carry on - it's a good idea to host an ending party."
The mood was joyous amid the dreidel-making, face-painting and two tables filled with toys reserved for children who had witnessed the accident.
Children molded chanukiot - nine-branched Hanukkah menorahs - out of clay, while others danced to traditional Hanukkah music performed by live musicians.
This celebration was a distinctly different experience for Smith, who said he was among the men who had lifted the BMW after it came to a halt inside the Chanukah Wonderland building. Smith said he pulled two men out from under the car, one able to crawl, but the other limp and bloodied. Fourteen adults and children ended up in the hospital.
Smith remains shaken but said, "You have to be strong for the kids."
Yesterday created happy memories to counteract last week's, said Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, director of the Chabad center. "We decided to hold it so that children should have positive memories of Hanukkah," he said.
Police have determined that Thursday's crash was caused when a floor mat interfered with the gas and brake pedals in Theodore Saretsky's vehicle. Saretsky, 76, of Atlantic Beach, has not responded to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, officials at the Town of Hempstead said that the Chanukah Wonderland gathering violated the town's public assembly law, and that fines could be levied against the owners of the building. Tax records show the owners to be Philip and Norma Baker.
Ray Schwarz, Hempstead inspections supervisor, said the building is zoned for general retail, not public assembly, and a special permit is required for more than 13 seats associated with dining. More than 100 people were at the party at the time of the crash.
A notice of violation was posted on the building Friday. A second notice was posted yesterday, requiring the building's owner to comply with the law.
Schwarz said the building did not have the required amount of parking to safely accommodate the event. The violation could result in a $350 fine against the Bakers, who could not be located last night.
BY JENNIFER BARRIOS AND MICHAEL FRAZIER
December 30, 2008
At first, Dan Smith wasn't sure he wanted to bring his toddler, Judah, to another Hanukkah party.
Smith, 31, of Far Rockaway, said he, his wife, and their two children had been at Chabad's Chanukah Wonderland party in Woodmere on Thursday when a BMW sport utility vehicle crashed into the building. The SUV drove over the spot where, seconds before, Smith's son had stood.
But Smith and his family decided to venture out to another Hanukkah party yesterday, held just blocks away at the Chabad Center of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst.
"I definitely think it's a good idea," Smith said, as Judah, 2, played happily nearby. "Pick up and carry on - it's a good idea to host an ending party."
The mood was joyous amid the dreidel-making, face-painting and two tables filled with toys reserved for children who had witnessed the accident.
Children molded chanukiot - nine-branched Hanukkah menorahs - out of clay, while others danced to traditional Hanukkah music performed by live musicians.
This celebration was a distinctly different experience for Smith, who said he was among the men who had lifted the BMW after it came to a halt inside the Chanukah Wonderland building. Smith said he pulled two men out from under the car, one able to crawl, but the other limp and bloodied. Fourteen adults and children ended up in the hospital.
Smith remains shaken but said, "You have to be strong for the kids."
Yesterday created happy memories to counteract last week's, said Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, director of the Chabad center. "We decided to hold it so that children should have positive memories of Hanukkah," he said.
Police have determined that Thursday's crash was caused when a floor mat interfered with the gas and brake pedals in Theodore Saretsky's vehicle. Saretsky, 76, of Atlantic Beach, has not responded to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, officials at the Town of Hempstead said that the Chanukah Wonderland gathering violated the town's public assembly law, and that fines could be levied against the owners of the building. Tax records show the owners to be Philip and Norma Baker.
Ray Schwarz, Hempstead inspections supervisor, said the building is zoned for general retail, not public assembly, and a special permit is required for more than 13 seats associated with dining. More than 100 people were at the party at the time of the crash.
A notice of violation was posted on the building Friday. A second notice was posted yesterday, requiring the building's owner to comply with the law.
Schwarz said the building did not have the required amount of parking to safely accommodate the event. The violation could result in a $350 fine against the Bakers, who could not be located last night.
Hanukkah service dedicated to Mumbai victims
Hanukkah drew to a close yesterday and a final lighting of the menorah was held Sunday evening at Kukui Grove Shopping Center in commemoration of the lives lost at the Mumbai Chabad house 30 days ago.
“The terrorists came with guns, grenades and missiles, and the only thing we could come back with is to respond with kindness, love and light,” Rabbi Shmulik Schneerson said before lighting the giant island-style candelabra which stood before the mall’s center stage.
Alan and Claudia Jaffe of Long Island, N.Y., along with their family members, were a part of those who gathered Sunday to remember the lives tragically lost during the terrorist attacks in India.
When asked how they felt about the current crisis occurring in the Gaza Strip, Alan Jaffe said, “It’s troubling and we’re not quite sure what to make of it.”
The tragedy in Mumbai and the ongoing violence in Gaza are just recent examples of a long history of strife involving the Jewish people. The faith has often encountered attack, and the celebration of Hanukkah is one that honors the triumph of their religion over the Seleucids almost 2,500 years ago.
The tyrant emperor, Antiochus Epiphanes dramatically tried to suppress Jewish customs and a small band of Jewish rebels, the Maccabees, rose up against his mighty army and were victorious.
Following the rededication of the Jewish Holy Temple, the story goes that there was only enough oil to light the candle for one day, but, instead it miraculously burned for eight. Thus, the reason for celebrating eight days of Hanukkah.
“If you could put the meaning of Hanukkah into two words, it would mean ‘increasing light,’” Schneerson said. “The story happened many years ago but is just as relevant today.”
Rabbi Michoel Goldman, who organized the event, said the evening was special because it was not only the last night of Hanukkah, but it was a memorial service as well.
“When people open their eyes and their hearts, they will see we all deserve to live in peace,” said Ahmos Netanel of Anahola.
Four of the candles were dedicated in memory of his father, Yehosua Netanel.
Schneerson and Goldman are currently working on establishing a Chabad house on Kaua‘i.
“It’s a place where everybody can walk in and feel Jewish and connect to their roots no matter what their religious affiliations are, if any at all,” said Schneerson when describing what the purpose of a Chabad house is.
Schneerson, an insurance agent in Los Angeles, travels to Hawai‘i to help participate in Jewish festivities and is the seventh generation of Jews who established the concept of public menorah lighting and Chabad houses.
For more information, visit www.jewishkauai.org
“The terrorists came with guns, grenades and missiles, and the only thing we could come back with is to respond with kindness, love and light,” Rabbi Shmulik Schneerson said before lighting the giant island-style candelabra which stood before the mall’s center stage.
Alan and Claudia Jaffe of Long Island, N.Y., along with their family members, were a part of those who gathered Sunday to remember the lives tragically lost during the terrorist attacks in India.
When asked how they felt about the current crisis occurring in the Gaza Strip, Alan Jaffe said, “It’s troubling and we’re not quite sure what to make of it.”
The tragedy in Mumbai and the ongoing violence in Gaza are just recent examples of a long history of strife involving the Jewish people. The faith has often encountered attack, and the celebration of Hanukkah is one that honors the triumph of their religion over the Seleucids almost 2,500 years ago.
The tyrant emperor, Antiochus Epiphanes dramatically tried to suppress Jewish customs and a small band of Jewish rebels, the Maccabees, rose up against his mighty army and were victorious.
Following the rededication of the Jewish Holy Temple, the story goes that there was only enough oil to light the candle for one day, but, instead it miraculously burned for eight. Thus, the reason for celebrating eight days of Hanukkah.
“If you could put the meaning of Hanukkah into two words, it would mean ‘increasing light,’” Schneerson said. “The story happened many years ago but is just as relevant today.”
Rabbi Michoel Goldman, who organized the event, said the evening was special because it was not only the last night of Hanukkah, but it was a memorial service as well.
“When people open their eyes and their hearts, they will see we all deserve to live in peace,” said Ahmos Netanel of Anahola.
Four of the candles were dedicated in memory of his father, Yehosua Netanel.
Schneerson and Goldman are currently working on establishing a Chabad house on Kaua‘i.
“It’s a place where everybody can walk in and feel Jewish and connect to their roots no matter what their religious affiliations are, if any at all,” said Schneerson when describing what the purpose of a Chabad house is.
Schneerson, an insurance agent in Los Angeles, travels to Hawai‘i to help participate in Jewish festivities and is the seventh generation of Jews who established the concept of public menorah lighting and Chabad houses.
For more information, visit www.jewishkauai.org
Chanukah typo
The big sign on the big National Chanukah Menorah, right near the National Christmas Tree just south of the White House, includes a misspelling of the name of the late rabbi to whom the menorah is dedicated.
It should be Menachem M. Schneerson, not Menachem M. Scheerson, as shown above.
A spokeswoman for the American Friends of Lubavitch, which sponsors the national menorah, said she was unaware of the error and did not know how it happened.
It should be Menachem M. Schneerson, not Menachem M. Scheerson, as shown above.
A spokeswoman for the American Friends of Lubavitch, which sponsors the national menorah, said she was unaware of the error and did not know how it happened.
Hanukkah celebrated
Rabbi Mendy Zwiebel of Chabad of Chico replaces a light bulb with a candle as he prepares a giant menorah for lighting Sunday at the Chico Mall. The rabbi led a public Hanukkah celebration there on the last night of the eight-day Jewish festival of lights. On Tuesday evening, Zwiebel also led a Hanukkah celebration at City Plaza. And on Dec. 21, the first night of the holiday, Congregation Beth Israel hosted a party at ARC of Butte County. Another Jewish group, Chico Havurah, had a party as well.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Yes, thank G-d, they can
Hanukkah ended last night, and I hope our Jewish readers and friends passed a good one. On Jeffrey Goldberg's blog I found this pretty great Chabad Lubavitch video. Seems to me to be a sentiment that Jews and all friends of the Jewish people, and of Israel, should keep in their hearts and in their prayers these difficult days:
Because Israel exists, and because America exists, there will always be at least two places in the world in which Jews can light the menorah in freedom.
Because Israel exists, and because America exists, there will always be at least two places in the world in which Jews can light the menorah in freedom.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Pan-European Chanukah Celebration
Fuelled by doughnuts and latkes aplenty, more than 500 revellers of all ages gathered in the heart of Brussels last Sunday for an historic Chanukah candle lighting celebration billed as the first pan-European event of its kind.
Specially-arranged buses brought community members from Germany and Holland while many more descended on the city from West and East of the continent for the European Council of Jewish Communities event, held in Rond-Point Schuman just metres from the EU Commission building.
The gathering, for which the European Union gave the green light, was held under the banner Am Israel Chai.
"I'm absolutely overwhelmed," UK-based ECJC president Jonathan Joseph told the Jewish News after Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik of Milan ascended a giant chanukiah to kindle the first light. "To stand here literally in the shadow of the EU building with so many people, Jews of all ages and all backgrounds from many of the countries in Europe, I don't mind saying I was moved beyond words. I hope this will be the beginning of an annual Chanukah celebration in Brussels and will continue forever."
Saying that European Jewry had not so far engaged enough with the European Union, he expressed hope that "EU leaders will see that we are now seriously intending to engage actively. This is just a first step in bringing forward to the EU our Civil Society programmes".
Amid scenes reminiscent of dancing at a Jewish wedding and as traditional songs including Adon Olam and Moshiach reverberated around the area, one of the party-goers Michael Zar, 32, said: "It shows unity of the Jewish people. Many people don't know each other but our Jewish identity unifies us, we celebrate the same music".
Among those attending from London was Maqsood Ahmed, senior advisor on Muslim communities at the Department of Communities and Local Government, who described the gathering as "a real festival". He added: "I think we need to be celebrating the light of all faiths and all cultures including Chanukah."
The public event - which was followed by a V.I.P reception at the residence of Israeli Ambassador to the EU Ran Curiel - was held in partnership with the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, World Congress of Russian Jewry and the Ukrainian Jewish Congress and supported locally by the European Jewish Community Centre and Chabad.
Specially-arranged buses brought community members from Germany and Holland while many more descended on the city from West and East of the continent for the European Council of Jewish Communities event, held in Rond-Point Schuman just metres from the EU Commission building.
The gathering, for which the European Union gave the green light, was held under the banner Am Israel Chai.
"I'm absolutely overwhelmed," UK-based ECJC president Jonathan Joseph told the Jewish News after Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik of Milan ascended a giant chanukiah to kindle the first light. "To stand here literally in the shadow of the EU building with so many people, Jews of all ages and all backgrounds from many of the countries in Europe, I don't mind saying I was moved beyond words. I hope this will be the beginning of an annual Chanukah celebration in Brussels and will continue forever."
Saying that European Jewry had not so far engaged enough with the European Union, he expressed hope that "EU leaders will see that we are now seriously intending to engage actively. This is just a first step in bringing forward to the EU our Civil Society programmes".
Amid scenes reminiscent of dancing at a Jewish wedding and as traditional songs including Adon Olam and Moshiach reverberated around the area, one of the party-goers Michael Zar, 32, said: "It shows unity of the Jewish people. Many people don't know each other but our Jewish identity unifies us, we celebrate the same music".
Among those attending from London was Maqsood Ahmed, senior advisor on Muslim communities at the Department of Communities and Local Government, who described the gathering as "a real festival". He added: "I think we need to be celebrating the light of all faiths and all cultures including Chanukah."
The public event - which was followed by a V.I.P reception at the residence of Israeli Ambassador to the EU Ran Curiel - was held in partnership with the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, World Congress of Russian Jewry and the Ukrainian Jewish Congress and supported locally by the European Jewish Community Centre and Chabad.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Solon: Sandy Seiger lights Chabad Center's menorah every year
Every year at Chanukah time, the Chabad Center of Solon puts up a 15-foot-tall menorah on its Harper Road property.
On the first night of Chanukah, during a holiday celebration, the Chabad center sends members up in a cherry picker to light the menorah's first two candles.
However, on every other night, just one Chabad member, Sandy Seiger, lights the menorah's candles -- and he doesn't have a cherry picker to make it easy.
"He does a fabulous job, no matter how cold the weather," said Miriam Greenberg, wife of Chabad center Rabbi Zushe Greenberg.
For more on this story, see the Dec. 18 Solon Sun.
On the first night of Chanukah, during a holiday celebration, the Chabad center sends members up in a cherry picker to light the menorah's first two candles.
However, on every other night, just one Chabad member, Sandy Seiger, lights the menorah's candles -- and he doesn't have a cherry picker to make it easy.
"He does a fabulous job, no matter how cold the weather," said Miriam Greenberg, wife of Chabad center Rabbi Zushe Greenberg.
For more on this story, see the Dec. 18 Solon Sun.
Milwaukee menorah parade marks start of Hanukkah
Associated Press
4:52 PM CST, December 20, 2008
MILWAUKEE - A parade of cars with menorahs mounted on the roofs will celebrate the start of Hanukkah in the Milwaukee area Sunday.
About 50 vehicles are expected to drive from Red Arrow Park downtown along Lake Michigan to the Bayshore Town Center mall. A parade of similar vehicles from the suburb of Mequon will join the parade north of the city.
The international Chabad Lubavitch group organizes similar parades worldwide. The Milwaukee parade is organized by Lubavitch of Wisconsin.
The 3 p.m. parade will be followed at 4:30 p.m. by a menorah lighting celebration at the Bayshore mall.
The eight-day holiday known as the Festival of Light celebrates how a one-day supply of oil found when the Jews recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem miraculously lasted eight days.
4:52 PM CST, December 20, 2008
MILWAUKEE - A parade of cars with menorahs mounted on the roofs will celebrate the start of Hanukkah in the Milwaukee area Sunday.
About 50 vehicles are expected to drive from Red Arrow Park downtown along Lake Michigan to the Bayshore Town Center mall. A parade of similar vehicles from the suburb of Mequon will join the parade north of the city.
The international Chabad Lubavitch group organizes similar parades worldwide. The Milwaukee parade is organized by Lubavitch of Wisconsin.
The 3 p.m. parade will be followed at 4:30 p.m. by a menorah lighting celebration at the Bayshore mall.
The eight-day holiday known as the Festival of Light celebrates how a one-day supply of oil found when the Jews recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem miraculously lasted eight days.
Chocolate menorah for Hanukkah
PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A group of Hasidic Jews in Palo Alto, Calif., planned to celebrate Hanukkah this year with a 6-foot, chocolate-coated menorah.
"We've already made a menorah out of ice and Legos. Why not chocolate?" said Mushky Baumgarten of Chabad of Greater South Bay, who melted 25 bags of kosher chocolate chips to coat the menorah.
The chocolate menorah was to be lit in front of Palo Alto City Hall as one of several Hanukkah-themed activities -- including bowling and ice skating -- sponsored by Chabad groups in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Los Altos, Cupertino and Palo Alto, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News reported.
Chabad, an international outreach group of Hasidic Jews, has more than 3,700 centers worldwide. The eight days of Hanukkah celebrates the victory of Judah and the Maccabees over invaders who defiled the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,100 years ago.
"We've already made a menorah out of ice and Legos. Why not chocolate?" said Mushky Baumgarten of Chabad of Greater South Bay, who melted 25 bags of kosher chocolate chips to coat the menorah.
The chocolate menorah was to be lit in front of Palo Alto City Hall as one of several Hanukkah-themed activities -- including bowling and ice skating -- sponsored by Chabad groups in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Los Altos, Cupertino and Palo Alto, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News reported.
Chabad, an international outreach group of Hasidic Jews, has more than 3,700 centers worldwide. The eight days of Hanukkah celebrates the victory of Judah and the Maccabees over invaders who defiled the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,100 years ago.
Slain rabbi's father to lead NYC Hanukkah ceremony
NEW YORK (AP) — The father of the rabbi who was killed along with his wife in the Mumbai terror attacks will lead a Hanukkah ceremony at the Statue of Liberty.
Rabbi Nachman Holtzberg will be joined by leaders of national Jewish organizations at the menorah lighting ceremony Tuesday, the third night of Hanukkah.
Holtzberg's son, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, and his wife, Rivka, were among scores killed last month in a rampage by suspected Islamic militants. The couple ran a Chabad Lubavitch center in the Indian city of Mumbai.
The Tuesday ceremony is part of a nationwide "Unite the Lights" campaign to mourn the victims of the Mumbai attack while promoting acts of kindness.
Nachman Holtzberg and his wife, Frida, attended a memorial ceremony for their son and daughter-in-law on Sunday in West Hempstead. Holtzberg called on the 200 mourners to help strengthen the Jewish presence in Mumbai by building a bigger Chabad center there.
"You don't need to fight against darkness," he said. "A little light spreads."
Tuesday's menorah-lighting ceremony will take place at 5:15 p.m. at the foot of the Statue of Liberty.
Rabbi Nachman Holtzberg will be joined by leaders of national Jewish organizations at the menorah lighting ceremony Tuesday, the third night of Hanukkah.
Holtzberg's son, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, and his wife, Rivka, were among scores killed last month in a rampage by suspected Islamic militants. The couple ran a Chabad Lubavitch center in the Indian city of Mumbai.
The Tuesday ceremony is part of a nationwide "Unite the Lights" campaign to mourn the victims of the Mumbai attack while promoting acts of kindness.
Nachman Holtzberg and his wife, Frida, attended a memorial ceremony for their son and daughter-in-law on Sunday in West Hempstead. Holtzberg called on the 200 mourners to help strengthen the Jewish presence in Mumbai by building a bigger Chabad center there.
"You don't need to fight against darkness," he said. "A little light spreads."
Tuesday's menorah-lighting ceremony will take place at 5:15 p.m. at the foot of the Statue of Liberty.
On Hanukkah's First Night, A Chilling Tale
When he checked out of the Taj Mahal hotel at 3 a.m. on Nov. 26, Greg Morris had no inkling of the terror that would unfold just a few hours later in Mumbai, India.
Some of the terrorists - who went on a three-day rampage of killing that led to more than 170 deaths around Mumbai - had already checked into the hotel when Morris, a South African resident and cousin of local businessmen Mark and Len Wolman, left to take a flight home. He had been in India for two weeks on business for his company, Discovery Insurance.
”It was very much like 9/11,” he said. “This was a terrible attack on our world, against a functioning democracy that subscribes to all our beliefs.”
Morris is visiting the Wolmans this week, and attended the annual lighting of a large menorah on the first day of Hanukkah at the Holiday Inn in New London.
The wind played tricks during the ceremony, but finally Rabbi Avrohom Sternberg of Chabad of Eastern Connecticut was able to light the 15-foot-tall, 2,500-pound symbol of the Jewish holiday season.
The ceremony, said Rabbi Sternberg, was dedicated to the people who died in the attacks -- including six Jews, most prominently Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah Holtzberg, the directors of the Mumbai Jewish center called Chabad-Lubavitch.
”Everything that comes with a difficulty comes with a strong purpose,” said Rabbi Sternberg during the lighting ceremony. “It is cold outside tonight and it is dark ... yet this light will persevere and it will brighten up the darkness.”
Morris pointed out that India traditionally has been among the most hospitable places in the world for Jews and that the attacks haven't led to a mass migration of them out of the country. In fact, Morris said he plans to check into the Taj Mahal hotel -- which reopened Sunday -- the next time he's in Mumbai and that his family has been considering a move to India's financial capital.
Morris said he wouldn't want to give the terrorists the satisfaction of thinking they had changed anyone's mind about wanting to live or work in Mumbai.
”They have the worst traffic in the world, but Indians are incredibly nice people,” he said.
Morris knew Rabbi Holtzberg and spoke highly of his efforts to help Jews in India. But he said it is important to remember that, although Jews were apparently targeted, scores of other people from all walks of life died in the coordinated attack, which targeted 10 sites and lasted about 60 hours.
”More Muslims died in the attack than Jews,” Morris said.
Some of the terrorists - who went on a three-day rampage of killing that led to more than 170 deaths around Mumbai - had already checked into the hotel when Morris, a South African resident and cousin of local businessmen Mark and Len Wolman, left to take a flight home. He had been in India for two weeks on business for his company, Discovery Insurance.
”It was very much like 9/11,” he said. “This was a terrible attack on our world, against a functioning democracy that subscribes to all our beliefs.”
Morris is visiting the Wolmans this week, and attended the annual lighting of a large menorah on the first day of Hanukkah at the Holiday Inn in New London.
The wind played tricks during the ceremony, but finally Rabbi Avrohom Sternberg of Chabad of Eastern Connecticut was able to light the 15-foot-tall, 2,500-pound symbol of the Jewish holiday season.
The ceremony, said Rabbi Sternberg, was dedicated to the people who died in the attacks -- including six Jews, most prominently Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah Holtzberg, the directors of the Mumbai Jewish center called Chabad-Lubavitch.
”Everything that comes with a difficulty comes with a strong purpose,” said Rabbi Sternberg during the lighting ceremony. “It is cold outside tonight and it is dark ... yet this light will persevere and it will brighten up the darkness.”
Morris pointed out that India traditionally has been among the most hospitable places in the world for Jews and that the attacks haven't led to a mass migration of them out of the country. In fact, Morris said he plans to check into the Taj Mahal hotel -- which reopened Sunday -- the next time he's in Mumbai and that his family has been considering a move to India's financial capital.
Morris said he wouldn't want to give the terrorists the satisfaction of thinking they had changed anyone's mind about wanting to live or work in Mumbai.
”They have the worst traffic in the world, but Indians are incredibly nice people,” he said.
Morris knew Rabbi Holtzberg and spoke highly of his efforts to help Jews in India. But he said it is important to remember that, although Jews were apparently targeted, scores of other people from all walks of life died in the coordinated attack, which targeted 10 sites and lasted about 60 hours.
”More Muslims died in the attack than Jews,” Morris said.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Giant ‘Cannorah’ to be kindled
SHARON - The construction of the first ever “Cannorah” in Sharon is going to be the highlight of the annual Chanukah celebration at Chabad of Sharon. You CAN light up a life. The Can Food Menorah is being organized, built and donated by Chabad of Sharon. You can participate by sponsoring some canned food which will be used to assemble the Menorah. The cans will be donated to local food pantries for families in need.
Chanukah is about bringing light into this world. A menorah built with food cans is sure to add more light into our world. After assembling the menorah candles will be placed on top and the Menorah will be kindled. In addition to the “Cannorah”, this year’s program will also feature Chanukah arts & crafts, holiday music, olive press demonstration, delicious Chanukah treats, and a Feature Circus Show.
The program will be held on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 2 – 5 p.m. at Chabad of Sharon, 162 North Main St. There is no fee. For more information please call the Chabad Center at (781) 784-4269.
Chanukah is about bringing light into this world. A menorah built with food cans is sure to add more light into our world. After assembling the menorah candles will be placed on top and the Menorah will be kindled. In addition to the “Cannorah”, this year’s program will also feature Chanukah arts & crafts, holiday music, olive press demonstration, delicious Chanukah treats, and a Feature Circus Show.
The program will be held on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 2 – 5 p.m. at Chabad of Sharon, 162 North Main St. There is no fee. For more information please call the Chabad Center at (781) 784-4269.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Celebrate Festival Of Lights With Radio Hanukkah
24-hours of Hanukkah programming
Plays throughout the 8 nights of Hanukkah
Plays throughout the 8 nights of Hanukkah
Tune in to XM-108MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Amid hundreds of all-Christmas radio stations, one has gone Hanukkah for the second year in a row. XM Satellite Radio has created Radio Hanukkah which can be tuned in to XM-108. XM's Hanukkah-themed station is touted as the first radio station of its kind and one celebrated by the satellite network's Jewish clientele, who've long known December's airwaves to be filled only with the holly-jolly, bell-clinging sounds of Christmas. XM-108 will run throughout the Festival of Lights, which begins Tuesday at sundown, not only with Hanukkah songs, like "I Have a Little Dreidel," but also candlelight blessings, Jewish-themed specials, comedy, and Israeli music. There's even some Jewish-themed programming for the kids. If you don't have XM Radio, you can sign up for a free trial at www.xmradio.com. You can also download the Radio Hanukkah schedule. Radio Hanukkah will wrap up at midnight December 12th.
Monday, December 03, 2007
World's Largest Chanukah Menorah on Fifth Avenue
Menorah Designed by Yaakov Agam
NEW YORK, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ --
The World's Largest Chanukah Menorah will be erected at New York's most fashionable plaza, Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, by Central Park, between the Plaza and the Pierre Hotels. The Menorah will be lighted on all evenings of Chanukah. The first candle of Chanukah is lighted on Tuesday, Dec. 4th and the last (eight) candles of Chanukah will be lighted on Tuesday evening, December 11th, at 5:30 pm.
The Menorah certified by the McGinnis Book of Records as the World's Largest, sponsored by the Lubavitch Youth Organization was specially designed by world renowned artist Yaakov Agam. Yaakov Agam's design was inspired by a hand drawing by the Rambam (Maimonides) of the original Menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.
The 32-foot high, gold colored, 4,000 pound steel structure will be lighted nightly with genuine oil lamps. Specially designed glass chimneys will protect the Chanukah lights from the Central Park winds.
"The Menorah stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy, strength and inspiration delivering a timely and poignant message to each person on an individual basis." said Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, who will light the Menorah nightly together with special dignitaries.
Due to the height of the Menorah, it will be lit nightly with the help of a Con Edison "cherry-picker" crane that will lift the lighters to the "Menorah Heights."
The lighting of the World's Largest Chanukah Menorah is always the central event of Chanukah for the millions of residents of New York and visitors to the Big Apple. It is also a favorite with the International media who put the World's Largest Chanukah Menorah in the center of their "Chanukah story," bringing the World's Largest Menorah into the homes of hundreds of millions of people throughout the world.
On Sunday evening, December 9th, special Chanukah celebrations will take place at the World's Largest Chanukah Menorah. The celebration will include live music, singing and dancing, "Chanukah Gelt" for the children and hot "Latkes" (potato pancakes), the traditional food of Chanukah, will be distributed to everyone. "We want people to 'taste' the tradition," said Rabbi Butman.
A campaign for millions
New York's most popular radio stations, WCBS and WINS, will carry a steady Chanukah call to millions of people to "Come light the Menorah." The message of Rabbi Butman is for every one to light the Menorah in their own home, "It's exciting, it's triumphant. It's many voices as one cheering light over darkness, joy over sorrow, freedom over oppression."
"The prominence of the Menorah carries an additional message," adds Rabbi Butman. "The Rebbe teaches that soon there will be another light, an eternal light, the eternal light of Moshiach, the eternal light of the Great Redemption."
The lighting schedule for the Worlds Largest Chanukah Menorah is as follows: Tuesday, December 4 - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, December 5 - 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 6 - 5:30 PM
Friday, December 7 - 3:45 PM
Shabbos (Saturday) evening, December 8 - 8:00 PM
Sunday, December 9 - 5:30 PM
Monday, December 10 - 8:00 PM
Tuesday, December 11 - 5:30 PM
For more information call 917 287 7770
The Menorah certified by the McGinnis Book of Records as the World's Largest, sponsored by the Lubavitch Youth Organization was specially designed by world renowned artist Yaakov Agam. Yaakov Agam's design was inspired by a hand drawing by the Rambam (Maimonides) of the original Menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.
The 32-foot high, gold colored, 4,000 pound steel structure will be lighted nightly with genuine oil lamps. Specially designed glass chimneys will protect the Chanukah lights from the Central Park winds.
"The Menorah stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy, strength and inspiration delivering a timely and poignant message to each person on an individual basis." said Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, who will light the Menorah nightly together with special dignitaries.
Due to the height of the Menorah, it will be lit nightly with the help of a Con Edison "cherry-picker" crane that will lift the lighters to the "Menorah Heights."
The lighting of the World's Largest Chanukah Menorah is always the central event of Chanukah for the millions of residents of New York and visitors to the Big Apple. It is also a favorite with the International media who put the World's Largest Chanukah Menorah in the center of their "Chanukah story," bringing the World's Largest Menorah into the homes of hundreds of millions of people throughout the world.
On Sunday evening, December 9th, special Chanukah celebrations will take place at the World's Largest Chanukah Menorah. The celebration will include live music, singing and dancing, "Chanukah Gelt" for the children and hot "Latkes" (potato pancakes), the traditional food of Chanukah, will be distributed to everyone. "We want people to 'taste' the tradition," said Rabbi Butman.
A campaign for millions
New York's most popular radio stations, WCBS and WINS, will carry a steady Chanukah call to millions of people to "Come light the Menorah." The message of Rabbi Butman is for every one to light the Menorah in their own home, "It's exciting, it's triumphant. It's many voices as one cheering light over darkness, joy over sorrow, freedom over oppression."
"The prominence of the Menorah carries an additional message," adds Rabbi Butman. "The Rebbe teaches that soon there will be another light, an eternal light, the eternal light of Moshiach, the eternal light of the Great Redemption."
The lighting schedule for the Worlds Largest Chanukah Menorah is as follows: Tuesday, December 4 - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, December 5 - 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 6 - 5:30 PM
Friday, December 7 - 3:45 PM
Shabbos (Saturday) evening, December 8 - 8:00 PM
Sunday, December 9 - 5:30 PM
Monday, December 10 - 8:00 PM
Tuesday, December 11 - 5:30 PM
For more information call 917 287 7770
Friday, November 30, 2007
Festival of sights
Menorahs can be whimsical and unusual
By Melanie M. Sidwell Longmont Times-Call
LONGMONT — During Hanukkah, an eight-candle menorah called a “hanukkiah” represents the eight nights of the Jewish minor holiday, with a ninth candle lighting the others.
But what a hanukkiah is made of is really up to the imagination: Potatoes. Mah-jongg tiles. Mirrors. Popsicle sticks. Jewel-encrusted metal.
“It’s not what the menorah is made of that’s important, but that you’re honoring Hanukkah, the festival of lights,” said Sharon Schaffner, an artist and member of the Boulder Arts & Crafts Cooperative on Pearl Street, which is presenting its annual Judaica Show through Jan. 2.
“It’s become a fashion statement,” she said of the variety of materials menorahs come in.
The Judaica Show features Jewish objects, such as dreidels and hanukkiahs made of glass, pottery and metal and even whimsical ones shaped like a moose, a whale and domestic pets.
The Longmont Shabbat Group, a local unaffiliated Jewish organization, holds an annual community menorah lighting during which guests bring their own hanukkiahs from home to light.
Susan Scruggs said the the most unusual one she had seen “was something my dad’s family used to do during the Depression, when his family couldn’t afford candles.”
“The kids would each make a fist and put a match between each finger, lighting the matches and saying the prayers very fast as the matches burned,” Scruggs said. “It is also a portable menorah, because all you have to have is a book of matches. I once did this when I was on a business trip because I was traveling light and couldn’t take my menorah and candles with me.”
Yakov Borenstein — a rabbi with Chabad of Longmont, an “unorthodox Orthodox synagogue” — is planning to use bowling pins as a makeshift menorah during a “Chanukah Bowl” at Centennial Lanes on Dec. 9.
“People ask me all the time, ‘What does a menorah have to be made of?’ But a holy thing like this can be made of anything,” he said.
Borenstein recounted a time when he was stranded somewhere during the start of Hanukkah, so he and his companions used what they had: some empty plastic soda bottles and string.
Hanukkiahs “tell our own stories of light,” said Cherie Karo Schwartz, a Denver author and Jewish storyteller who spoke during the opening of the Judaica Show recently.
“The variety of menorahs show that at any given moment, there is light to be found,” she said. “Each person’s style shows how we bring light to the world.”
Melanie M. Sidwell can be reached at 303-684-5274 or msidwell@times-call.com.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Celebrating 'winter' year after controversial tree removal
After unceremoniously removing all of its Christmas trees in the middle of the night last year, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport this season will dispense with any religious symbols and just celebrate "winter."
A panel that formed after the Port of Seattle Commission removed the airport's 17 red-ribboned trees, decided the new decorations will feature a grove of birches in Dacron snow, hung with crystals and mirrors to reflect low-energy lights, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.
The port drew international attention last year when its five elected commissioners reacted to a lawsuit threat by a rabbi who wanted to erect a menorah alongside the largest of Christmas trees.
As WND reported, Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky said, contrary to widespread news reports, that he never intended to have the trees removed. The Jewish leader said he was horrified by the decision, which spurred anti-Semitism and angry accusations. The port returned the trees about a week later after Bogomilsky told officials his organization, the Northwest Friends of Chabad-Lubavitch, a Hasidic Orthodox group, was not going to sue.
This year, however, the port is taking no chances.
"What I was hoping for was something that was cheerful and evocative of the holiday spirit, and as much to do with nature and evergreen trees as they could," Commissioner Pat Davis told the Seattle paper "We wanted to move forward without something that would get us back into any sort of controversy, and I think it is very creative. I hope the public likes it – it will take a while to get used to." The $300,000 airport display – now being assembled in a warehouse – will include foam migrating birds above the birch trees, which will be dusted periodically with non-toxic snowfall to the sound of wind chimes. The port said it rejected the menorah last year because it didn't want other religious groups pressing to have their own symbols' included. The port commission this year convened a 12-member holiday decorations advisory committee of religious, academic, legal and business leaders. The panel agreed in July to have decorations that would "reflect the Pacific Northwest environment and our diverse community, and convey universal values, such as peace and harmony." The installation at airport is expected to begin Nov. 9.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Full-Court (Olive) Press
Residents of the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life in Horsham and kindergarten students from Temple Judea of Bucks County celebrated Chanukah with stories, songs and an olive-oil press demonstration given by Rabbi Zushe Gurevitz of the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center in Abington. From left are students Sarit Held and Jay Pogach of Doylestown, and Abramson resident Hedwig "Inge" Siegel.
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