The Yonkers community gathered last week and this week to celebrate the eight days and nights of Chanukah with events all across the city. On Monday, the Cross County Shopping Center held its grand menorah lighting on the second night of Chanukah.
Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz from Chabad of Yonkers helped arrange the ceremony, and City Council President Mike Khader ascended the ladder and lit the second night’s lights. Men and women enthusiastically danced to the Jewish/American rock-n-roll music of the What’s Up Band, as Hurwitz and volunteers gave out a variety of the traditional potato latkes fried in oil, jelly donuts, cinnamon and chocolate donuts, and chocolate coins.
On Tuesday, Yonkers City Hall hosted its annual Chanukah celebration to light candles and to share holiday greetings. Special music was performed by Cantor Michael Kasper and cantorial students from the Academy for Jewish Religion, and members of the Yonkers High School Woodwind Ensemble led by Andy Seligson.
Mayor Mike Spano welcomed everyone to the ceremony, led by Rabbi Rigoberto Emmanuel Rivas, chaplain of the Yonkers Police Department.
Be on the lookout for a Chanukah parade of cars to be traveling around the city to celebrate Chanukah’s final days and nights.
