Chanukah Stretch Hummer Parade Brings Holiday Spirit to the County
The miracle of Chanukah was celebrated in high style as forty children and teens participated in Chabad’s Chanukah Stretch Hummer Limo Parade. Sunday, December 17, two Stretch hummers with large, brightly lit Menorahs on top were filled with eager participants. The “Kids Krusin” hummer, for ages 5-11 and the “Rockin’ Teen Tour”, for teenagers, began the unique parade in Monroe. Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, directors of Chabad of Orange County, placed “V.I.P” necklaces on all participants. “We created this program in order to involve Jewish teens and kids in a unique Chanukah activity which includes both giving holiday fun and joy,” said Chana Burston, as she climbed into the “Kids Krusin” hummer.
Decked in sunglasses and Hawaiian leis, the kids and teens sat in the starlit hummers with festive holiday music and refreshments. Their youth leaders explained the mission of the day: To find large Menorahs throughout Orange County, to spread the light of Chanukah to people in need, and to experience a surprise treasure hunt.
Creative clues kept participants guessing where they were headed as they traveled to each destination. At the giant Menorah found in Tuxedo Park, teens and kids preformed “Chanukah exercises.” At a gas station in Harriman, the mission was to distribute free Menorahs and wish everyone “Happy Holidays!” At Shop Rite in Chester, kids and teens found the Menorah displayed in the store. “Kids Krusin” proudly stood by the glowing Menorah as they sang the traditional song “I have a little dreidel” and spun around like dreidels (spinning tops)!
As the “Rockin’ Teen Tour” headed to the Dollar Store to buy friendship Chanukah gifts for one another, the children had a Chanukah surprise as their youth leaders sprayed them with silly string! “This is the best day of my life!” said Perry Segal, of Middletown, as she climbed back into the Hummer, covered in silly string and giggling.
As the children and teens drove to various destinations, participants composed Chanukah cheers, holiday raps and received Chanukah gifts of bubbles, chocolate coins and dreidels.
The Hummers then cruised to Elant Adult Home in Goshen where kids and teens enthusiastically distributed Chanukah packages and sang holiday cheers to many residents. “These gifts and your smiling faces have brightened my holiday!” resident Lillian Berman told a group of children as they handed her a holiday package. “You are a beautiful group,” another resident said to Robert Rosen, 13, of Monroe, “always stay that way!” For many children, visiting the residents at Elant was a highlight of the day. “ It was a moving experience to visit the people of Elant and give them Chanukah treats,” said Morris Pulver, 11, of Highland Mills.
The Menorah parade’s final stop was at the Village Green in Goshen, where participants joined their parents and many others for a memorable Menorah lighting ceremony with Rabbi Pesach Burston of Chabad of Orange County and Mayor Scott Wohl.
“I’ve never seen kids who look happier!” a bystander commented, as he watched the kids and teens jump out of their Hummers. Everyone enjoyed hot latkes (potato pancakes), donuts, singing and music. Over The Top Limo and All Occasions Limo partly sponsored the Parade. The Hummer Menorah Parade was the brainchild of Molly Leader, of Los Angeles, youth director for Chabad of Orange County. Together with Leah Lewis, of London, also youth director, they planned a Chanukah event intertwined with ingenuity, originality and love for the youth of Orange County. “I’ll remember this forever,” says Evelyn Torres, 7, of Pine Island, as she waved good-bye to the group.