The Chanukah Boat in the annual Winterfest Boat Parade, organized each year by Shliach Rabbi Moishe Meir Lipszyc, is a symbol of Jewish pride for the millions that view it.
This is due to the efforts of the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Shliach, who arranged for the boat to take part in the parade back in 1998.
Fort Lauderdale has celebrated its “Holiday on Water Parade,” dating back to 1955. This parade is watched by millions of people, watching live on the shores of the Intercoastal as well as being broadcast on national TV.
In 1998, Rabbi Lipszyc saw this boat parade for what it truly was meant to be; an unprecedented paramount vehicle for “Pirsumei Nissa” for Chanukah.
However, how could he participate in an x-mas Boat Parade? Rabbi Lipszyc was determined to do this. He set up meetings with the Boat Parade Committee and with the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. The outcome; the Chanukah boat was welcomed and the parade name was changed to “The Winterfest Boat Parade.”
Ever since, the Chabad Lubavitch of Ft. Lauderdale Chanukah boat has participated in the boat parade. Special consideration is provided; they allow the Chabad boat to launch last, as the parade is always on Motzei Shabbat.
The music and spirits of the people on the boat, garner shouts of Jewish pride from the spectators. This along with the tooting of viewer’s boats along the side shouting “Happy Chanukah!,” and the hundreds of emails, phone calls, and letters of appreciation that follow every parade tells of one of the greatest Pirsuma Nissa touching and kindling neshomas there is!
Rabbi Lipszyc’s office boasts all type of awards the Chanukah Boat has received, from best design, best music, best lights, to best spirit.
This year, Rabbi Lipszyc, for the first time since the inception of the Chanukah Boat, was not able to physically participate due to a heath procedure.
The Jewish community of Fort Lauderale committed to give Rabbi Lipszyc the greatest Chanukah gift ever. They would make this year’s Chanukah Boat the embodiment of their rabbi’s dream. The joy, the commitment, as everyone on the boat gave it the greatest Chanukah spirit ever waving to thousands with shouts of “Happy Chanukah!” will remain with participants.
Wishing our good friend Moshe Meir an immediate & full refuah. Looking forward to seeing you at the chassaneh (Jan 28!!!) You have 5 weeks to get your dancing shoes on!
Freilichen Chanukah to you, Penina & children.
Keep up all the hard work!
Beautiful pirsumei Nissa!
Kol hakavod Nina and yitzchok naparstek!
omg i cant believe i missed it this year. Rabbi Moshe Mier may you have a speedy Refua Shelayma see you on the boat parade next year
another incredible example of a shliach taking chanukah to the next level
I had such a great time, we miss you Rabbi Moshe Mier it was not the same without you but we all toasted to celebrating with together next year and ty so much for everything you do
I had such a great time, we miss you Rabbi Moshe Mier it was not the same without you but we all toasted to celebrating with together next year and ty so much for everything you do
may the miracles of chanukah spill over for the entire year
for you with health , happiness , nachas and may you together with the rebbe & klal yisroel merrit the ultimate geulah here now, amen
Good for your Rabbi Lypsec make you have a bigf Refuah, you deserve it, Norma Hillman
P.S. boat is beautiful.