Sunday, February 16, 2025
With brilliant lights and stirring songs, Hempstead Village celebrated its diverse holiday traditions in front of Village Hall on Dec. 5 — its annual Holiday Lights event.
The yearly occasion falls during the first week of December. Hempstead school children spend weeks studying Christmas songs in English and Spanish, learning melodies like “O Hanukkah,” and rehearsing dances expressive of the holiday spirit.
Hempstead is home to some of Nassau County’s oldest Christian congregations, and to Congregation Beth Israel, the Jewish synagogue on Hillside Avenue that was officially established in 1915.
At the annual event, the children mount the steps of the portable stage. They belt out songs and bound through dances for a delighted audience of parents and villagers.
This year, Human Relations Council Director Juanita Hargwood, the event’s organizer, called Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr., to open the program.
“It’s a great day in the Village of Hempstead,” said Hobbs. “Welcome to our annual holiday celebration. We’ll be lighting the menorah and we’re excited about the day.”
The elementary-age members of the Jackson Main IB-PYP World Chorale sang and danced “O Hanukkah,” intoned “Silent Night” while a very young Joseph and Mary symbolized the birth of Jesus by clutching a baby doll in blanket, and then called the audience to join in with José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad.”
Jackson Main music director Soh Yung Lee-Segredo led the self-assured singers.
The audience then clapped along as students from Rhodes Academy’s Performing Arts Class (Empire State Afterschool Program) threw themselves into an exuberant dance routine, accompanied by holiday rock music.
Next came the lighting of the statuesque menorah stationed on the lawn of Village Hall. Rabbi Abe Lebovic, head of Congregation Beth Israel, spoke about Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, while lighting each of the eight menorah candles.
“We’re going to bring the eight lights of the menorah into the world,” said Lebovic. “And I want to remind all of you, our job is to be a lamplighter — to bring light into the world.”
When Rabbi Abe finished, Regina Lattimore, secretary to the Hempstead Police Department, threw the switch that ignited brilliant white lights on the trees and shrubs outside Village Hall, and set lamps glowing inside a large crêche depicting the Nativity.
A stately Kwanzaa kinara, similar in shape to the menorah, quietly awaited its turn to be lighted on Dec. 26.
Fire truck sirens penetrated the air. A parade of decorated Hempstead Fire Department trucks rolled up in front of Village Hall.
“Hi, Santa! Hi, Santa!” shouted the crowds of eager children.
Santa clambered off a fire truck and was instantly surrounded by giggling kids. Each received a cheery packet of candy and toys from the Hempstead Village Hall elves, and then went to a side table, where more elves served everyone hot chocolate.
