Parade Marks 40 Years of Lightings

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Baruch Ezagui

A long chain of 350 cars sporting menorahs on their roofs drove around the city of Philadelphia on Motzoei Shabbos in the annual “March of Lights.”

Organized by the Chabad of Philadelphia, the parade began at Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 22nd Street, and drove to Independence National Park.

There, a tall Menorah stood proud and was lit by Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Head Shliach of Philadelphia and Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International and Ruben Amaro Jr., the Philadelphia Phillies General Manager.

Rabbi Yudy Shemtov of Chabad of Bucks County, PA was the MC for the evening.

Standing across Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence, Rabbi Shemtov reminded participants that it was at this same location that the international phenomenon of pirsumei nisa began 40 years ago.

As documented in the book “The Rebbe’s Army,” Rabbi Shemtov is credited for erecting the very first public Chanukah menorah in the United States.

Back on Chanukah 1974, Rabbi Shemtov, along with 5 yeshiva bochurim, lit a wooden menorah at the foot of the Liberty Bell. A black and white photo of that first lighting stood at the Philadelphia event this week.

Chanukah doughnuts, latkes and goodies were handed out to participants. Entertainment was provided by musician Chony Milecki and singer Eli Marcus.