5 Towns’ Chanukah Miracle

Only one cruse of oil to last eight days. How would it work? Ethanol just wouldn’t do. Hashem had to step in and save us with a miracle. We have continued to celebrate this miracle for over 2,000 years, a few of them in Cedarhurst.

The Chanukah Experience is a cherished tradition among children and adults of the Five Towns. Thanks to the creativity and hard work of Rabbi Zalman and Chanie Wolowik and Rabbi Meir and Hadassah Geisinsky of Chabad of the Five Towns, a little shop in Cedarhurst gets transformed into a wondrous gala. The colorful window dressing beckons you in and the enthusiastic volunteers welcome you. A new eight foot tall menorah filled with candy sets the scene while balloons and menorahs are free for the taking on the side. Chanukah themed crafts, candle making, latke making, computer games, a tot center, and a clic station are longtime favorites. New this year is a video game dance party; a large window where you can be the artist; a six foot dreidel with a Lego board, chalkboard, felt board, and magnet board; and scenery from the Beis HaMikdash.

This year, families also enjoyed special performances by Mr. Shabbos, Magician Sam Jacobs, and the clowns of Lev Leytzan. There was also a grand dreidel tournament and a special Chanukah in Candyland when children packaging candy from the candy menorah for children in the hospital received a gift from Oh Nuts! The central location at 461 Central Avenue made it easy to pay a visit to the Levi Yitzchak Library and/or attend the special menorah lighting in the park with community leaders Mr. Avi Feinberg, Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, Dr. Binyamin Muller, Mr. David Friedman, Mr. Benjamin Brafman, Dr. Jeffery Spivak, Mr. Uri Ottensoser, and Mr. Cliff Erber.

Thousands come each year to experience Chanukah the Chabad way. Yitzy and Nava Bald bring their children each year. Nava says, “My children love it. They remember it and look at the pictures and ask to come back. They even used their candles from last year to light the menorah this year.” Suri Weinrib of Woodmere brings her children each year as well. She notes, “It’s nice to have something Chanukahish to do on Chanukah. They see their friends. It’s very community oriented.” Even the volunteers say they come back each year to help Chabad, “Because it’s fun!”

Chabad of the Five Towns wished to thank the many volunteers and sponsors of the events including Mr. Michael Axelrod, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Brafman, Central Perk, Five Towns Jewish Times, Gourmet Glatt, Judaica Plus, Party Source, Qcumbers, Schuckman Realty, and Supersol.

Thank you Roch Gopin and Mushkie Wolvovsky for their incredible devotion to Chabad of The Five Towns, and the many Bais Rivkah and Montreal girls that gave their Chanukah vacation to inspire many people by volunteering at “THE CHANUKAH EXPERIENCE”!