A live-carving and lighting of a 7-foot Ice Menorah, a festive Israel Unity concert, a Fire-truck “gelt-drop” and public menorah lightings throughout Orange County were enjoyed by hundreds of participants.
Chabad of Orange County, headed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, led the Orange County community to “Unite Through Light” with a variety of unique events.
Menorah Lighting ceremonies in Chester, Monroe, Central Valley and Tuxedo included the traditional lighting of the menorah, as well as joyous Chanukah songs, dreidels, hot latkes and other traditional Chanukah treats such as doughnuts and chocolate “gelt.” Local dignitaries joined and shared words of greeting.
Hundreds joined the Chanukah “Israel Unity Concert” held at the new Chabad House in Monroe. The Pey Dalid Band played live festive music while the huge crowd danced with foam glow sticks and Chanukah swag. A seven-foot Ice-Menorah was carved live by artist Rich Daly of Ice Memories. Candles were lit by elected officials and community members as well as Dr. Ken Steier of Goshen, Dean of Touro College, in recognition of all the college administrators who have encountered new waves of antisemitism on campus. Chabad Hebrew School students helped Rabbi Pesach Burston lead the Candle-lighting ceremony. Dinner included a “Falafel Fest,” pasta bar, potato latke bar and hundreds of fresh donuts for all to enjoy. Children enjoyed a variety of Chanukah themed arts and crafts.
“A tremendous amount of darkness was added to the world on October 7. The menorah’s powerful message is needed more than ever now,” explained Chana Burston. “The menorah demonstrates light over darkness, good prevailing over evil, freedom over oppression. We all need this boost of light and warmth,” she said. “A small amount of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness can make all the difference.”
Rabbi Pesach added that “Chanukah is a holiday celebrating miracles, and the Jewish people surviving through the darkest of times. May we continue to see miracles and have every hostage return home!”
The Woodbury Fire Department dumped over 3,000 chocolate coins on a huge crowd of enthusiastic children holding fire hats to catch their winnings. Eight children were “gelt winners” when they found the eight colored coins among the thousands of colored coins, winning prizes. The “Gelt drop” had become an annual tradition at Chabad of Orange County.
Chabad Hebrew School students wrote cards and wrapped gifts to bring joy to displaced Israeli families. Students also made donuts from scratch, designed Jewish pride themed Menorah, experienced a “Chanukah in Legoland” specialty program and enjoyed a Chanukah Story-Walk Trail.
Parents with tots enjoyed “Chanukah Tot Wonderland” which included Chanukah crafts, stories, bubbles and circle time.
CTeen, Chabad’s teen program participated in a Chanukah Paint and Juice night, as well as a High Stakes” Dreidel game in the CTeen Lounge.
The Chabad of Orange County community sponsored a Chanukah party for an Israel Defense Force unit in Israel. Yossi Burston, the 17-year-old son of Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, is spending his senior year in school in Israel and coordinated this project along with his classmates.
Chabad of Orange County offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations in Orange County. For more information, contact Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, directors, at 845-782-2770, rabbi@ChabadOrange.com or visit www.ChabadOrange.com
