Beth Ohr spreads light in the community

Though the air was bitter cold, it was all about spreading light at Bellmore’s menorah lighting on Dec. 7. Last Thursday at the corner of Bedford and Broadway, dozens gathered for the first night of Hanukkah to see the menorah lit.

Led by Rabbi Rishe Groner, the evening’s events, along with the lighting of the menorah, also included prayers as well as traditional Hanukkah songs sung by the children of the Hebrew and nursery schools.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores was thanked for sponsoring the event, including the Hanukkah giveaways and chocolate gelt for those in attendance.

Groner, who just joined the Bellmore congregation, Congregation Beth Ohr, as Rabbi in August took the helm of the menorah lighting ceremony with words of inspiration for neighbors. The message: spreading your light into the world. 

“The Hanukkah menorah we have in our houses is the little bit of light that shines out to the whole world.” Groner said.

“May the light that we lit here go out into the dark and very cold world. We want to send prayers to our family, to our friends, and to Jewish people all over the world. “

The children of the Hebrew and nursery schools also had something in store for those in attendance. After a long time spent preparing for this event, they had the opportunity to share with their families and neighbors the traditional Hanukkah songs they worked so hard to learn.

“Hanukkah is all about saying it doesn’t matter what other people think of me, because I am proud of who I am and what I am is proud of my Jewish heritage, my Jewish traditions, and the way that Judaism brings light into the world. And these guys are bringing a lot of light to the world.” Groner said. 

-- Rachele Terranova