Residents of Glen Cove and Sea Cliff came together at Glen Cove Village Square on Dec. 29 to celebrate Hanukkah with the annual Menorah lighting event.
The event, hosted by the Chabad of Sea Cliff and Glen Cove featured a variety of activities for families to come enjoy. This year marked the 25th year that the Chabad has lit the menorah in Village Square with Rabbi Sholom Heber saying that this year was one of the most important lightings yet.
“The Jewish people have really had a tough last year, and every night we light a new candle to represent the idea that we don’t back down to darkness,” Heber said. “We try to send our message that darkness can’t compete with light and positivity and that’s what we try to bring with this event.”
Heber first spoke about the significance of the shamash, the tallest candle of the menorah, saying that if you, like the shamash, bring light to others around you, then you will elevate yourself. Pamela Panzenbeck, the mayor of Glen Cove, then talked about the town’s support for both the Chabad of Glen Cove and Sea Cliff and Israel wishing for a peaceful new year.
“It is a privilege to be here with you all today and we want to let you all know that Glen Cove stands with Israel,” Panzenbeck said. “We are with you and we are praying for a peaceful new year.”
Panzenbeck was then invited the shamash to start the annual menorah lighting. Simon Nourmand, a resident of the community and member of the Chabad, lead the community with the Hannukah prayer and helped to light the rest of the menorah. After the menorah lighting, children were invited to help light a ice sculpture menorah and practice the Hannukah prayer as well.
The event featured different arts and crafts stations for kids, food and drinks were offered to residents, and a bounce house was available for children to enjoy. Heber says it was important that children attend this event so that they could learn and continue to emphasize the messages of the menorah lighting as they grow older.
“These children are the next generation and we want to make sure that they can come learn from this tradition and keep it going as they become future leaders,” Heber said. “We want to make sure that they lead with this message that light will prevail and we hope that we can continue to pass that through to our kids.”
