By Robert Kalfus
A giant menorah illuminated a new Yonkers location this year, the Boyce Thompson Center on North Broadway in Yonkers, sharing the outside plaza with a large, well-lit Christmas tree. Chabad of Yonkers Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz introduced the honored guests, announcing that he “had not told” Yonkers Detective Autumn Edwards that “the honor of lighting the menorah included climbing a ladder” as she lit the shammash (leader) light. Det. Edwards landed safely, and then passed the torch to Joseph Kelleher, President of Simone Metro Properties, which developed the previously abandoned Boyce Thompson property, dormant for 40 years, until he developed it into a thriving and attractive commercial center.
Mr. Kelleher climbed the ladder to light the first candle, as Chabad of Yonkers Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz sang the traditional Chanukah blessings. Next up the ladder was Dr. David Lent, Chief of Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery at St. John’s Riverside Hopsital, who lit the torch to cheers and applause as he announced “This is the beginning of us all getting better. At St. John’s Riverside, right across the street, I received my first Covid-19 vaccine shot today. Hopefully this is the beginning of everybody getting shots, and everybody overturning this pandemic. Happy Chanukah!”
Deputy Chief of Operations of Empress Medical Services EMT Michael Blecker also climbed the ladder to light a torch illuminating the darkness, until all six torches were lit, fulfilling the requirements for this sixth night of Chanukah.
Rabbi Hurwitz explained that “Chanukah is a holiday celebrated at home. But we bring the light out into the street and share the light, to shed light, to illuminate and push away the darkness.”
Rabbi Hurwitz then led a Chanukah procession of a dozen cars, each with a Happy Chanukah sign and a lit electric menorah on top, illuminating Yonkers with a wonderful parade of menorahs, circling Yonkers streets and ending back at the synagogue, where the Rabbi’s son Chaim and daughter Zeesy distributed traditional warm latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil) to all. Chanukah, the Festival of Light, remembers the miracles of a small outnumbered band of Jewish partisan fighters defeating the overwhelming Syrian-Greek forces, liberating the Jewish nation and bestowing independence, and the miracle of the single cruze of undefiled oil, sufficient for only one day of kindling the lights in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, lasting for eight days, the length of time necessary until new pure olive oil could be pressed, allowing the defiled Temple to be rededicated.
The eight day holiday of Chanukah started at sunset last Thursday evening, December 10, and concludes Thursday night, December 17 before sunset.
Please contact Rabbi Hurwitz at Rabbi@JewishYonkers.com or call (914) 963-8888 for information on Hebrew School, religious services, or upcoming events.
