Neighbors gather at menorah lighting

The South Baldwin Jewish Center, SBJC, hosted their annual Hanukkah Candle Lighting last Thursday with over a dozen community members in attendance.

The candle lighting was exactly two months after Hamas launched their attack on Israel. The holiday, which celebrates the Jewish resilience and the miracle of oil that burned for eight days, was celebrated at the Baldwin Train Station at 6:45 p.m. Food was served following the lighting at the South Baldwin Jewish Center.

“This year’s menorah lighting will absolutely be more significant than previous years,” Jeff Barkan, co-president of the SBJC, explained. “Whether you’re Jewish, whether you’re Muslim, whether you’re Catholic, everybody’s appalled by what happened.”

Along with community members, officials like Assemblyman Brian Curran and Legislator Debra Mulé were in the crowd, singing along to Hebrew prayers.

“Last night, on the first night of Hanukkah, it was an honor to join the South Baldwin Jewish Center and members of the community for the lighting of the Menorah,” Mulé said in a Facebook post.

“The weather turned cold forcing a lot of our older congregants to stay home, however we were thankful for those who turned out to celebrate,” the South Baldwin Jewish Center Facebook page stated last year on Dec. 18. “Councilman Christopher Carini always shows his support for our community, as well as legislator Debra Mulé.”

“This event is just to show that the area of this neighborhood still has a Jewish presence,” Barkan said.

Barkan noted that the Jewish center announces programs and events throughout the year on their Facebook page. He said that the entire community is invited to attend these events.