Chanukah at Governor’s Mansion

A Chanukah celebration was held at the mansion of Florida Governor Rick Scott and his wife Ann, celebrating 13 years of Chanukah Menorah lightings with three Florida Governors.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman Oirechman, director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Tallahassee, arranged for the menorah presentation and coordinated the evening’s lighting of a 6 ft. tall oil-fueled menorah in the mansion’s great room.

More than 125 people, representing Jewish organizations and government offices throughout the state, attended the party.

The event was attended by Rabbi Abraham Korf, regional director of Chabad of Florida and by many other Chabad Rabbis. Rabbi Oirechman mentioned how this is the 13th year of Chanukah celebration with three different Governors, starting with Governor Jeb Bush, continued with Governor Charlie Crist and now with Governor Scott.

For the first time in the history of the Sunshine State, a grade-schooler from Broward County presented a handcrafted Chanukah menorah on behalf of Jewish children throughout Florida to Gov. Rick Scott.

The presentation by Nachmi Hecht of Coral Springs elicited gasps of delight from onlookers at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee Monday night, with the seven-year-old telling the towering chief executive in a soft voice that he was “proud to present this Menorah of Peace on behalf of the Hebrew Academy of Margate and Jewish children throughout the state.”

In accepting the small candelabra outfitted with figurines representing men, women and children of all backgrounds, Scott pronounced that it was “the most beautiful menorah [he’s] ever received.”

Hebrew Academy dean Rabbi Yossie Denburg came up with the idea for children to design their own Chanukah menorahs and compete for the chance to attend the governor’s annual Chanukah party. In introducing Hecht, he noted that by supporting education, governments help fulfill their obligation to create and preserve just and productive societies.

His remarks also drew inspiration from the story of Chanukah, the eight-day festival of lights that commemorates the Jewish military victory over Greek oppressors and the reclaiming and rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

“On Chanukah, we are cognizant of the government’s power to either preserve or, God forbid, hinder religious freedom,” explained Denburg. “We are forever grateful to this country and this state for the chance to freely celebrate our Judaism.”

For his part, Hecht was clearly energized by the whole experience, having flown in on a private aircraft operated by Sky High Aviation Academy in Fort Lauderdale.

“That was so much fun!” he exclaimed between bites of latkes, pan-friend potato pancakes traditionally eaten during Chanukah. “He really liked the menorah!”