New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended the lighting ceremony of the World’s Largest Menorah located near Central Park on Fifth Avenue.
The Jewish billionaire was greeted by Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization which sponsors the Menorah designed by Yaacov Agam.
Lifted by a Con Edison cherry picker to the “Menorah Heights,” Rabbi Butman welcomed the Mayor and mentioned what he said in the past that “New York City, as the Maccabees, did not negotiate with the terrorists.”
Rabbi Butman thanked the Mayor for being instrumental in sending a United States airplane to help put out the recent fire in Israel.
Mayor Bloomberg greeted the crowd and said that “the Maccabees fought for freedom and that’s what we have to continue.”
He then addressed current affairs saying, “we’re lucky to leave in America and New York (where) crime is down (and)the schools are better. We’re gonna have some budget problem, we all know that, but we are the luckiest people on world.”
Rabbi Butman said the ceremony – and the thousands of similar ones held around the world – are inspired by the Rebbe.
“It is with the fire of the Rebbe that we light all Menorahs throughout the world,” he said and stressed that lights of the Menorah will greet the light of Moshiach.
VIDEO: By Innovision AV
1) WHAT DOES CRIME HAVE TO DO WITH SCHOOL ? 2) BLOOMBERG IS LIEING, SCHOOLS ARE NOT BETTER, BECAUSE HE TOOS AWAY THE VOUCHERS.
Crime is down because the police refuse to make reports.
Should invite him to attend OT dinner. He could wipe away all yeshievas debt and not even feel it.
dont critisize, he is doing great!!!!
same to 1 and 2
i must say rabbi butman is good,however a little nerdy.
its not oholei torah,or menachem gerlitzkys siyum harambam at 12 am in 770,this is a event with the mayor of nyc!!!!
I dont knwo what city he is talking about,, but ax anyone here in Crown Heights, and u will find out otherwise,, two shootings in two days,, Mayor B, crime is a-risin’ at a really awful rate sir.
Maybe where he lives!