Chanukah 2007 Reports
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Chabad of Orange County held numerous Chanukah events throughout the county. This year, hundreds of people participated in eight nights of Chanukah, four public menorah lightings, two celebrations with seniors and one great grand community-wide Chanukah party, our annual “Chanukah Bowl, Carnival and Show”.
In addition, on Sunday, several students of Chabad Hebrew School’s Goshen class and their parents volunteered to build a giant toy menorah in Monroe ShopRite. The toys are being donated to local children in hospitals.
We could not have done it without you. Thanks for participating! Some of you braved some challenging weather to join the outdoor menorah lightings. I would like to thank all those who helped make the light and warmth of Chanukah shine throughout the county: Our dedicated Youth Directors Brocha and Chaya, as well as the following individuals who helped sponsor their time, finances and love: The Berkowitz family, the Sandow family, the Rien family, the staff at Colonial Lanes, the staff of Monroe ShopRite, Lilly Spencer, the DeRoss family, the Goetz family, the Galler family, the Pleeter and Heller families, Sima Zelenko, Abbie Gonzalez, Marvin Feldman, Chanan Reitblatt, Lucas Turso, Dylan Lolya, the Pincus family, the Pearlman family and all the volunteers for the toy menorah.
A special thank you to Duvy and his friend Yizty Zelenko who came and helped bring joy to the seniors at Elant!
Thank you! May the light of Chanukah continue to shine within you throughout the year!
Below please find several reports. Click on images for photos
Chanukah Event at Bowling Alley Pins Down Darkness
Chester, December 11, 2007 — The Jewish festival of eight days and nine candles added 10 pins to the celebration Tuesday.
Chabad of Orange County, headed by Rabbi Pesach & Chana Burston held their fourth annual “Chanukah Bowl,” putting a unique spin on Chanukah, at Colonial Lanes in Chester, this past Tuesday.
“This is a unique menorah,” Alec DeRoss of Monroe said as he studied the candelabra made from bowling pins.
“The menorah can be made of almost anything, but it has to be able to give light!” Rabbi Burston said to the crowd of more than 150 people. “The message of the menorah,” he added, “is that our job is to use any tools we have to create light – even bowling pins.”
The event featured exciting activities for the entire family. While bowling to lively music, Chanukah videos filled the lane’s screens, and family driedel games further increased the holiday spirit.
The party room held a hot buffet dinner, including lots of Chanukah treats, was available for all to enjoy.
The festive party room was also filled with a Chanukah Carnival with various booths of creative arts & crafts such as Chanukah sand art, doughnut decorating, Chanukah Grams, face-painting, “gelt guessing game” and much more.
One of the evening’s highlights was a spectacular Chanukah Magic Show that was enjoyed by children and adults alike!
Chabad’s approach is to share the light and beauty of the Jewish heritage with every Jew. The dancing flames of the bowling pin Menorah serves as a reminder that the spirit of Judaism can be incorporated into every aspect of life, including bowling. Celebrating traditions in a fun and creative style adds an exciting dimension to Chanukah and increases the joy of the holiday.
For more information about Chabad’s activities, call 782-2770, write [email protected] or visit www.ChabadOrange.com
Children Bring the Joy of Chanukah to Seniors
Goshen & Tuexdo, Chanukah 2007 - During Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, children brought the joy of the holiday to seniors in various adult homes in Orange County. Duvy Burston, 5, joined his parents, Rabbi Pesach & Chana Burston, and entertained the seniors. Along with his friend, Yitzi Zelenko, 5, of Monroe, they sang Chanukah songs as Chana Burston played the piano. The children also handed out “dreidels” and chocolate Chanukah “gelt” to their elder friends.
Lillian Berman, 90, who lead the Yiddish Club at Elant in Goshen said, “We are so grateful that we have Rabbi Burston and his family who come to visit us all the time. We especially like it when the children come!”
Chabad of Orange County, headed by Rabbi Pesach & Chana Burston, visit seniors throughout the year. For more information, call 782-2770, email [email protected] or visit www.ChabadOrange.com
Joy of Chanukah Celebrated with Menorah Lightings
in Monroe & Tuxedo
The joy and glow of Chanukah was enjoyed by the communities of Monroe and Tuxedo with two Menorah Lighting Ceremonies arranged by Rabbi Pesach & Chana Burston of Chabad of Orange County.
Monroe – On Thursday, December 6, a crowd of men, women and children gathered at Chabad’s Monroe location at the Chase Bank on Route 17m in Monroe to light a 9-foot menorah.
Orange County Director of Operations Mr. Steve Gross lit the “shamash” — the torch that lights all the other candles — “since the role of the elected officials is to serve the community,” Burston said. Participants lit their own candles from the dignitary’s torch.
Chaim Cohen, Henry & Samira Galler of Monroe and the Doblin family of Chester were among the guests who were honored in lighting a candle.
After the outdoor ceremony, participants were invited into Chabad’s Suite for a festive party with music, Chanukah refreshments and arts and crafts for children.
Tuxedo – On Monday, December 10, another Menorah Lighting Ceremony took place on Route 17 in Tuxedo. Town Supervisor Peter Dolan and town councilmen were honored with lighting the menorah.
“Chanukah is not only celebrating a miracle of light from the past” Rabbi Burston said, “But a miracle that continues to this very day: After so many years of persecution, and repeated attempts to extinguish the flame of Judaism, the fact that we can stand here in public is itself a miracle!”
Mr. Dolan then greeted the crowd and extending holiday wishes, and thanked Chabad for sponsoring and arranging the event.
Participants also expressed gratitude and enthusiasm about the event.
After the ceremony, all enjoyed Chanukah refreshments, hot cocoa, dreidels and schmoozing under a special tent set up for this event.
For more information about Chabad of Orange County, call Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston at 782-2770, email [email protected] or visit www.ChabadOrange.com.
Despite Cold, Goshen Residents Find Inner Warmth
at Goshen Menorah Lighting
Goshen, December 9, 2007 – Despite the freezing rain, local residents gathered to join in a public Menorah lighting ceremony on Sunday, December 9 in the Village Green, led by Rabbi Pesach & Chana Burston, directors of Chabad of Orange County.
“A small miracle happened here tonight,” Burston said as he introduced Mayor Weinberger. “It stopped raining exactly 5:30, the scheduled time to light the menorah. Perhaps the Mayor has good connections!” he joked.
Mayor Robert Weinberger was honored with lighting the “Shamash” which serves to ignite all the other candles.
Additional candles were lit by locals including Stephan & Doris Fornino who own the menorah, and invited Chabad to host the annual menorah lighting.
“The menorah teaches us an eternal lesson,” Burston said “The way to fight darkness is by adding light. And it does not have to be all at once; we can illuminate our surroundings, one candle – good deed – at a time!”
After the mayor greeted crowd and extending warm holiday wishes, Rabbi Burston presented Mayor Weinberger with a musical “dreidel” as a token of appreciation on behalf of the Jewish community.
Afterwards, children enjoyed a circus entertainer while participants enjoyed hot cocoa, hot latkes with toppings, doughnuts and other Chanukah treats in a special tent set up nearby.
“Freezing rain and hot cocoa is a wonderful mix!” said one of the participants.
For more information about Chabad, contact Rabbi Pesach & Chana Burston at 782-2770 or [email protected] or log onto www.ChabadOrange.com
Chanukah Ushered in at Washingtonville Menorah Lighting
Washingtonville, December 4, 2007 - On Tuesday, December 4, the eight-day festival of Chanukah was ushered in at a festive Menorah Lighting in Washingtonville. Many locals braved the cold to attend the lighting ceremony led by Rabbi Pesach & Chana Burston, director of Chabad of Orange County.
Village of Washingtonville Mayor Thomas DeVinko lit the “shamash” — the torch that lights all the other candles — “since the role of elected officials is to serve the community,” Burston said. Participants lit their own candles from the dignitary’s torch. Mr. Brad Moritt of Washingtonville, who initiated the Menorah lighting ceremony, lit the first candle.
“Humanity is like a menorah with various ‘braches’ of people” Rabbi Burston said to the large audience, “The menorah teaches us what we all have in common: light! We each have an obligation to make the world a brighter, better place.”
After the menorah lighting, Burston presented the mayor with a gift of a silver musical dreidel on behalf of the community.
After the ceremony, participants enjoyed Chanukah refreshments, hot cocoa and friendly schmoozing under a special tent set up for this event.
The event was arranged with the help of Brad Moritt, Dr. Zev Zelenko, the Washingtonville DPW and the Washingtonville Police Department.
Andrea Pincus, of Washingtonville, attended the event with her husband Brian and two children, Zachary and Jared. Sharing her feelings about the event she said, “We always have an amazing time when we are at a Chabad event. We are happy to be here celebrating together as family. After seeing the menorah lit in the village, my children are excited to go home and light their own menorahs.”
For more information about Chabad of Orange County, call Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston at 782-2770, email [email protected] or visit www.ChabadOrange.com.
Chabad Hebrew School Builds Giant Toy Menorah
for Children in Hospitals
Monroe, December 9, 2007 - The students of Chabad Hebrew School decided that the holiday time is a time for action. On Sunday, December 9, many students and their parents met at Shop Rite in Monroe to launch a toy drive.
With tremendous team effort, and special guidance from Hebrew School parent Steve Pearlman of Chester, the group wrapped milk crates with decorative Chanukah wrapping paper. The crates were cleverly assembled into the shape of a Menorah and filled with brand new toys students brought for the toy drive. Candles were placed at the top of the Toy Menorah and several students were chosen to light the candles.
Rabbi Pesach Burston, director of Chabad of Orange County, led the crowd in festive Chanukah songs and inspired the children and parents with a meaningful holiday message. “In every person there is a spiritual Menorah. When we do good deeds, we kindle our inner Menorah and make the world brighter. The Chanukah Menorah reminds us to constantly keep our inner light ablaze. Today,” Burston concluded, “you are all lighting the Toy Menorah, as well as your inner Menorah through this special project.”
The crates have room for more toys, and the children decorated beautiful signs asking shoppers to share the holiday spirit of giving by adding new toys to the Menorah. The Menorah will be on display in Shop Rite Monroe until December 16. Afterward, the toys will be given to children in various hospitals in Orange County. “The goal of Chabad Hebrew School is to bring Jewish traditions to life,” says Chana Burston, who directs Chabad Hebrew School. “We learned about the Menorah and that Chanukah is a time for spreading light and joy. This creative project combines those lessons and will hopefully stay with the students for years to come.”
“It’s really exciting to build a toy Menorah,” says Jordan Price, age 11 of Highland Mills, as she placed the Yahtzee game she brought on the Menorah. “It feels good to know that at the same time we’ll be making other kids happy.”
Chabad Hebrew School has close to sixty students ages 5-13 and offers a choice of classes on Thursdays in Monroe or Sundays in Goshen. For more information and to register for the second semester, call Chabad at 782-2770, [email protected] or log onto www.ChabadOrange.com.