A Head Start on a Birthday

By COLlive reporter

8 Chabad Lubavitch Shluchim in New York’s Westchester County visited the county’s government offices bringing the joy and celebration of Chanukah in the spirit of Pirsumei Nissa.

The Menorah lighting ceremonies were a crowning touch to the more than 20 Chabad Lubavitch Public Menorah displays throughout Westchester County including Westchester’s largest Menorah, 30 feet tall, located at the JCC in Scarsdale.

The delegation, led by Westchester’s head Shliach Rabbi Velvl Butman, included Rabbi Yosef Y. Butman of Armonk-Chappaqua-Pleasantville, Rabbi Sruli Deitsch of Bronxville – Mount Vernon, Rabbi Yehuda L. Heber of Yorktown-Somers-Cortlandt, Rabbi Dovid Labkowsky of Briarcliff- Ossining-Croton-Sleepy Hollow, Rabbi Mendel Silberstein of Larchmont-Mamaroneck, Rabbi Benjy Silverman of the Rivertowns and Rabbi Arik Wolf of Bedford-Pound Ridge.

After clearing the security scanners and check points, including a special permit for the religious artifacts, the delegation of Shluchim entered the secured office suite of Westchester’s highest ranking government executive, County Executive Mr. Robert P. Astorino.

The Shluchim were invited to continue a long-standing tradition of a Chabad Lubavitch Chanukah reception at the executive chamber, joining together for a Menorah lighting ceremony with County Executive Astorino, Deputy County Executive Mr. Kevin Plunkett and their executive and administrative staff.

Each of the Shluchim shared with County Executive Astorino a Chanukah message from the Rebbe. Mr. Astorino was inspired by the many lessons of the Menorah and the holiday of Chanukah.

The Shluchim presented County Executive Astorino with a Pushka replica of Lubavitch World Headquarters, 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY.

With the Pushka in hand, the Shluchim gave Mr. Astorino two dollars for Chanukah gelt, emphasizing the words “In G-d We Trust” which are prominently displayed on the American dollar bill, as well as the inscription of the divine “eye that sees. The Tzedakah Pushka is prominently displayed on Mr. Astorino’s executive desk.

The Shluchim explained the importance and significance of giving charity, acts of goodness and kindness, including the message of unity stated on the United States dollar bill “E Pluribus Unum” – out of many, one.

County Executive Astorino told the Shluchim of his personal faith in G-d, how it is the American tradition to recognize the creator as it is well known that the founding fathers wanted to ensure the freedom to practice religion and faith in G-d, as faith in G-d is the foundation of a civilized society and of a child’s education.

Mr. Astorino emphesised that the constitution of the United States is currently misinterpreted by those who claim that the constitution says we should keep G-D and religion out of the public square.

“The constitution wants to ensure freedom to practice religion, not a nation free from religion,” said Mr. Astorino.

In honor of the 105 days leading up to Yud Alef Nissan 5772 , which will celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Rebbe’s birthday anniversary, County Executive Astorino issued a proclamation, proclaiming “105 Days of Goodness and Kindness” in Westchester County in honor of the Rebbe.

The text of the proclamation:

“Whereas The miraculous victory – culminating with the Rededication of the sanctuary in Jerusalem and the rekindling of the Menorah which had been desecrated and extinguished by the enemy – has been celebrated annually ever since during these eight days of Chanukah, especially by lighting the Chanukah Menorah, also as a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness.
“Whereas The Chanukah Lights remind us in a most obvious way that illumination begins at home, within oneself and one’s family, by increasing and intensifying the light of goodness and kindness in the everyday experience, as the Chanukah Lights are kindled in growing numbers from day to day. But though it begins at home, it does not stop there. Such is the nature of light that when one kindles a light for one’s own benefit, it benefits also all who are in the vicinity.
“Whereas The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, established 4000 Chabad Houses and Lubavitch centers around the world, spanning six continents, and encourages all people, regardless of race, color or creed, to prepare for Moshiach, by increasing acts in the realm of goodness and kindness, hastening the biblical promise of a world of universal peace and harmony with recognition of the creator,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROBERT P. ASTORINO, COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, do hereby proclaim the upcoming 105 days leading up to the 110th anniversary of the Rebbe’s birthday, December 21, 2011 corresponding to 25 Kislev 5772, through April 3 , 2012 corresponding to 11 Nissan 5772, as “105 Days of Goodness and Kindness”
In Westchester County New York in recognition of and in tribute to The Rebbe.”

The Chanukah celebration culminated with the Shluchim dancing with County Executive Astorino who warmly thanked each of the Shluchim for the visit, and expressed his appreciation for honoring him with such a prominent delegation.

Rabbi Velvl Butman shared with Mr. Astorino an overview of the many activities of Chabad Lubavitch throughout Westchester County, including the recent expansion of Chabad Lubavitch of New Rochelle and Chabad Lubavitch of White Plains, as well as the launching of new programming for Chabad Teen Club and the recent new addition of Shluchim to Bronxville and Mount Vernon, Rabbi and Mrs. Sruli Deitch.

Menorah Lighting with Police Commissioner of Westchester County

Westchester County Police Commissioner George N. Longworth hosted a Menorah lighting ceremony at Westchester Police Headquarters, and was especially thankful for the Pushke replica of 770, as he himself is originally from Crown Heights.

Elmsford Mayor Celebrates Menorah

A community wide Menorah Lighting Celebration was held at the Community House of the village of Elmsford, NY hosted by Mayor Robert Williams.

Paul Feiner, Town Supervisor of Greenburgh, NY, lit the outdoor large Menorah.

Mayor Williams thanked Chabad Lubavitch for donating the large outdoor Menorah, and enjoyed personally distributing dreidels to all the children.