Finding light in darkness: Hanukkah celebrations begin

Members of the Jewish community joined Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh at its annual menorah lighting on Dec. 7, signifying the beginning of the joyous holiday. The evening underscored the idea of bringing light into the world, especially amid the ongoing Hamas-Israel war — which has affected many Jews personally around the world.

“Tonight’s evening is dedicated to the safety and security of our family members, our brothers and sisters in Israel,” Richard Soleymanzadeh, who led the evening’s proceedings, said. “Tonight, we will join together in unity, and each one of us will bring more light to Israel.”

Hundreds gathered to witness the lighting of Chabad’s grand menorah, at the intersection of Broadcast Plaza and Merrick Avenue in Merrick, alongside the gazebo and adjacent to the Long Island Rail Road station. Joined by elected officials, prominent community leaders and members of the Jewish clergy, Chabad’s Rabbi Shimon Kramer assisted in lighting the shamash — the tallest candle on the menorah — and used it to light a smaller candle, for the first nigh t of the holiday.

The eight-day Hanukkah celebration, referred to as the “Festival of Lights,” commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple. Hanukkah, which officially began at sundown on Dec. 7, is celebrated with holiday music, food and rituals.

“Hanukkah is a time of hope,” State Sen. Steve Rhoads said, “and that is one thing that we could certainly use today.”

Berta Weinstein, who leads the South Merrick Community Civic Association, said, “It is a pleasure to see everyone here this evening. May Hanukkah give us light, hope, health, happiness and most of all, peace and kindness.”

Kramer said this was the 17th year that the Chabad Center has lit its grand menorah. He then answered a question that many Jews are feeling this year.

“With everything going on with the world in Israel, how can we celebrate Hanukkah?” he said. “I think the answer is clear. That is Hanukkah. With this darkness in the world, we cannot push away darkness with a broomstick. We have to push away the darkness the way it was done at the first Hanukkah, over 2,000 years ago, by lighting a candle, illuminating our surroundings.”

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito joined the celebration — having just arrived from Washington D.C. earlier in the day.

“Many of my colleagues who were also leaving Capitol Hill mentioned that many of the Hanukkah celebrations throughout this country have been canceled, because people were in fear of antisemitic attacks,” D’Esposito said. “I made it very clear that here in New York’s Fourth Congressional District, we are going to stand together against all acts of hate. We will continue to fight to make sure that Israel has every resource to eradicate Hamas from this planet, and we will fight each day to bring every hostage home.”

Soleymanzadeh said Chabad has had a special year, having finished building four additional classrooms for its Jewish Early Learning Center, thanks to donations from the community over the last two years, which has allowed the preschool to double its capacity. Also making use of the space are Chabad’s Hebrew school students and Camp Gan Israel in the summer.

This year, Chabad’s end-of-the-year campaign will focus on additional security for the building, Soleymanzadeh said. A portion of the donations will go towards a preschool in Israel that’s in need of a shelter, as well as Chabad’s food pantry, the Men’s Tefillin Club, the Hebrew school and other activities at the Chabad.

The campaign opened on Dec. 11 and could be found online at ChabadJewishLife.org.

Kramer said that when the holiday’s celebrants are lighting their menorahs at home, they should take time to think about the hostages that are still being held in Gaza, who cannot light their own menorahs.

“They are in a dark place,” he said. “We have to light a candle for them, as we should have them in mind. When we light the candle, we should make a prayer for the hostages — for their safety — and for the safety of the entire world.”