Bellmore residents celebrate Hanukkah

To mark the holiday of Hanukkah, religious leaders from the local synagogues led the community in prayer on Monday, Dec. 23, as a beautiful, 10-foot-tall menorah was lit. The ceremony was held the at the Veteran’s Memorial in Bellmore, at the corner of Bedford Avenue and Broadway.

Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein and Cantor Joshua Kowitz of Congregation Beth Ohr led the ceremony as the crowd sang traditional Hanukkah songs, the Star Spangled Banner and the Israeli National Anthem. Many children from the local Hebrew and nursery schools were present, as well.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores provided gelt and Hanukkah giveaways to attendants; among them were members of the Jewish War Veterans Post 652 and local elected officials.

— Alyssa Seidman