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A Few Clouds Chabad’s menorah lights up the night
Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh kicks off Festival of Lights
Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights — began last weekend, and for the Bellmore-Merrick-Wantagh communities, there was no better way to celebrate the start of the eight-night holiday than by attending the Chabad Center for Jewish Life’s 16th annual Grand Menorah Lighting and Parade.
The holiday commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple. Festivities include playing holiday music, eating special dishes and rituals such as lighting candles on a menorah. This year’s celebration officially began at sundown last Sunday.
Though the parade has seen some changes throughout the years, the commitment of community members to come out and celebrate Hanukkah the best way they know how has remained the same. At the Chabad Center’s Hewlett Avenue location, a large crowd gathered before the parade on Sunday evening.
Escorted by the Merrick Fire Department’s Friendship Engine and Hose Company No. 2, parade-goers made their way to Merrick’s Long Island Rail Road station, where, adjacent to the parking lot, stood a 12-foot menorah waiting to be lit.
Several members of the Jewish community, Chabad’s Hebrew and preschool students and several political dignitaries joined Chabad Center Rabbi Shimon Kramer at the menorah lighting.
“Happy Hanukkah,” Kramer proclaimed during a ceremony prior to the lighting. “This year has a special significance — this year is a Hakhel year, the year where we get together, and assemble with all of each other.”
The term “Hakhel” refers to the Jewish commandment of assembling all Israelites to hear the reading of the Torah by the king of Israel, which occurs once every seven years. While there’s no longer a king, a Hakhel year still has special meaning to many Jewish people, as it encourages and fosters a sense of togetherness.
Kramer asked those in the crowd to point to the menorah, and then point to themselves, in an effort to symbolize the importance of the year.
“Just like the menorah has nine branches, so do each one of us,” he said. “And just like the menorah, and how all of the branches connect to the base, we’re all connected to each other.”
County Legislator Steve Rhoads lit the menorah’s center candle, called the Shamash. Rhoads, who represents the 19th District, which includes parts of Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh, was recently elected to the State Senate and will begin his term on Jan. 1.
“May we each remember the promise that light will eventually dispel darkness and drive out hate,” Rhoads wrote in a Facebook message. “I wish all of our Jewish friends and neighbors a joyous celebration.”
The Shamash, also known as the helper candle, remains lit for all eight nights of Hanukkah. Ira Bachman, a member of the community, then lit the first candle for the first night of the holiday.
Alan Stewart, a Merrick resident who owns several cars that he rents out for movies and television commercials through his company, Vipers Vettes Film Cars, is a fixture at the Hanukkah parade. Each year, he donates a car from his fleet, strapping a menorah to the roof and driving along the parade route. This year, he brought a Mustang Boss 302 — a limited- edition, bright orange sports car.
“The (Chabad) called me in August for December — and I said, ‘Kind of early,’” Stewart joked. “I give them a car, and they put it on their flier. I don’t charge them. I do it as a donation and help them out, and I bring a different car every year.”
Following the lighting of the candles, several performances were put on by Chabad students, and hot latkes, applesauce, and donuts were distributed to the crowd. Kramer urged all who attended to go home and light their own candles, and to continue to spread the message of the holiday.
“When you’re done lighting the candle, I ask that you not stop here,” he said. “Go to another house as well — whether it’s your neighbor, whether it’s a friend — and bring light to that house as well.”
