Valley Stream lights up for Hanukkah

The cold chill in the air could not stop village officials and Valley Stream residents from coming together to celebrate the Festival of Lights, better known as Hanukkah, at a menorah lighting ceremony at Station Plaza on Dec. 5.

Presented by Congregation Beth Sholom, five candles were lit by Rabbi Yitzchak Goldshmid and Village Trustee Ed Fare on the fifth night of Hanukkah to showcase the light to the world. “The message of light is the main message,” said Goldshmid. “We have some enemies who watch us, but God exists. We light candles…we have to get better.”

Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Holy or Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt during the second century B.C.E, is observed with a menorah, a nine-branch candlestand. This year, Hanukkah occurs from sundown on Dec. 1 to sundown on Dec. 9, with a light being lit each night during the celebration.

The lighting ceremony has been a tradition for many years, Goldshmid said. Mary Ann Cahill, widow of the village’s late mayor Ed Cahill, was there to remember the significance of the holiday. “I think it is so wonderful, the holy days, “ Cahill said. “I am glad people gather for it.” She added that her husband would also attend the ceremony faithfully in past years.

Hempstead Town Councilman Jim Darcy was also in attendance. “I think we should celebrate our diversity and fill everyone with the spirit of hope,” Darcy said. “The world can see miracles.”

Members of the auxiliary police and fire department were on hand during the ceremony. And with the sounds of background music in the air, the candles glowed bright. And even a special treat, donuts were given out.

“The ceremony is beautiful because it brings the community together,” said Bracha Chaya Jaffe, an attendee who explained the meaning of lighting the menorah. “The lights represent the lights of the Jewish soul. We like the night because the lights of Hanukkah shine in the darkest places of exile.”

Haim Cohen, who also attended the ceremony, said it was beautiful. “The menorah ceremony commemorates miracles seen in the past,” he said.