More than 200 people gathered outside of Shoprite Mall in Liberty, NY on Saturday night, December 20th, the fifth night of Chanukah for the historic lighting of the Chanukah Menorah.
Mr. Charlie Barbuti Town of Liberty Supervisor, Mr. Dan Ratner Village of Liberty Mayor, Joan Stoddard, Village of Liberty Trustee, and Village of Liberty Police Chief Scott Kinne joined community members and friends with Rabbi Yossi Hurwitz of Chabad of Swan Lake, in the festive ceremony.
The joyous crowd sang the blessing together, while Mr. Charlie Barbuti lit the ‘Shamash’ (First Candle) and Mayor Dan Ratner lit the Menorah, with live music, dancing, dreidels, traditional Chanukah refreshments such as Latkes, donuts, and Chanukah gelt, the atmosphere could not have been more festive!
World renowned Cantor Aryeh Leib Hurwitz, enthused the crowd with his singing and received a screaming “We want more!” after every song.
In addition, an exciting fire juggler from Melbourne, Australia, kept the crowds eyes glued to his theatrical moves. What an event!
Rabbi Yossi Hurwitz thanked Shoprite for all their assistance and involvement in this important holiday, saying, “I especially take off my hat for Shoprite manager John Rogan who extended all his help, working with me and arranging the entire Chanukah celebration, I would never have pulled it off without him.” He also showed gratitude towards the elected officials, and the entire community for being a part of such an auspicious occasion.
Rabbi Bentzion Chanowitz of Chabad of Monticello who came specially for this celebration, spoke about Chanukah’s message to add more light everyday, he said, everyone should add a good deed everyday, to make a better world.
“The message of Chanukah is lighting up the darkness,” said Rabbi Hurwitz. “Everyone coming out in the cold tonight to celebrate Chanukah with such warmth and excitement has certainly lit up the mountains! Let’s continue being the spark in darkness until our rays of light brighten up the entire world.”
The atmosphere was happy and festive, and the joyous dancing went on for hours.
People returned home with high spirits, smiling faces and a warm Chanukah feeling.
We take this opportunity to thank everyone who spent Shabbos Chanukah with us at Chabad of Swan Lake, all who helped us with the Menorah Lighting… Musician Daniel Shpringer, Juggler Izzy Adelice, Kevutzah Bochrim Levi Rabinowitz, Greenberg, Hurwitz (reb Itcheh der masmid great grandson) I forgot the other 3 names (sorry), also Ben- Shachar who spend a whole day with me to put up Menorahs in various locations. All Neshei ubnos Chabad who helped enormously with everything. Thank you very much, you were a tremendous help, it would never happen without you, YOU GAVE THE REBBEH LOTS OF N.R. Yossi… Read more »
It was a real Kidush Hasham just keep up all your wonderful work Thanks a mill.
Very very nice!! Next year sufganiyot in Jerusalem, Omein!!
It must be so cold upstate NY these days! How they had so many ppl is beyond me!
Who’s the singer?
Is a fantastic Shliach
Awesome Juggler
Aussie aussie aussie
TO an outstanding Hebrew School teacher,
so happy for you! Sorry we couldn’t make it- had a program here.
Geisinskys form Great Neck
You succeeded in warming up the cold
Bringing light into the dark frigid night
Kol hakovod
For many years I was a member in Liberty Synagogue, Unfortunately the place is closed there are no more services . my wife and I attended the Chanukah celebration Chabad organised, what a beautiful celebration we were crying with joy,
My question, could Chabad reopen the synagogue ??
My wife and I live in long Island we are very familiar with Chabad, We spent last weekend in Liberty at my wife’s aunt. Thursday we went to ShopRite where I noticed a poster inviting everyone to a Menorah Lighting outside at the mall of Shoprite , I couldn’t believe my eyes, who will come out in this cold freezing weather?? And are there any Jews in Liberty in the winter?? We decided to check it out , so we came Saturday at 7:45 pm like the poster said , we realized lo and behold…. not only was everything right… Read more »
איש מצליח מאוד
ידידו הגאון רב נ.ש.
is Shlucha Esther Hurwitz’s mother, Mrs Sterna Sarah Saacks
Kol Hakavod Sheliach of the Catskill NY Swan lake Sheliach Yossi Horowitz you may learn: if there is a will there is a way B”H i heard from from first hand so many Bochrim in addition to family who came to to help out , it was a huge Kidush Hashem for the entire Catskill region he made them happy with warming them up in the cold winter Motzei Shabbos with the Channuko Candles , may Hashem help you the Brochos of our Rebbe should stay in your house for ever , you should be Zoche for all you children… Read more »
OK, Seriously, I didn’t realize how modest you were. The weekend started out with a beautiful Shabbos ‘retreat style’ in Swan Lake. Esther made a spread fit for kings. Each meal had over 40 people. Who would have thought that there is shlichus in the country? Well, Yossi a man of vision, with a desire to do the Rebbe’s shlichus came up with a plan. At a time when his age peers are out traveling the world, (buying fancy cars, and living ‘the life’) he bought a house in a city upstate, and decided to do hafatza, because the Rebbe… Read more »
who is the lady in the front row on the left in the picture next to the last
It was so beautiful! The Rabbi really lit up the mountains!
Was awesome!!!
Kol Hakavod to my Brother Yosi and his entourage.
Sorry missed I missed it.
Yasher Koach .
Brocha Hurwitz