By COLlive reporter
Photos: Yossi Jerufi/COLlive
A record large parade of 60 Mitzvah Tanks and over 300 Car Menorahs drove around New York City Thursday night, the fifth night of Chanukah, sharing the light and joy of the holiday with hundreds of thousands.
This year’s parade was dedicated in memory of Ari Halberstam, to commemorate the fifth night of Chanukah when Ari’s killer was found guilty of his murder.
“On the fifth night of Chanukah, we add more lights than are not lit on the Menorah, symbolizing filling the world with light. Today is also when Ari got justice, and light prevailed over darkness,” organizer Mordy Hirsch said.
The Mitzvah Tanks and cars topped with Menorahs headed out from 770 in Crown Heights and drove over the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, into New York City, seen by hundreds of thousands.
The Mitzvah Tanks drove over the Brooklyn Bridge, the site of the terror attack in 1994 in which Ari Halberstam was murdered.
“In the same place where there was so much darkness, our Mitzvah Tanks rode through with joy, love, and light,” organizers said. “Mitzvah Tanks are the world’s strongest weapons. They are conquering the world with goodness and kindness.”
Leading the effort at the start of the parade were Honorary NYPD Commissioner Devorah Halberstam, Chief Charles McEvoy, the newly minted chief of the police borough Brooklyn South, as well as 71 Pct. Commander Inspector Joseph Hayward, Deputy Inspector Richard Taylor, Chief of Community Affairs for the city, Sergeant Mike Baratta of the 71 Precinct and Lt. Ira Jablonsky.
Organizers thanked all the parade participants for keeping safety a priority and helping to ensure this year’s Parade was the most successful yet. “While the rainy weather added some difficulty to keeping the car Menorahs together for the length of the parade, nevertheless each car added to the pirsumei nissa and each one brought light to the city,” they said.
The Mitzvah Tank Organization thanked the NYPD Highway Patrol Under Chief of Transportation Kim Royster, NYPD Brooklyn South, and 71 Precinct, as well as 71 Pct. Commander Inspector Joseph Hayward, Deputy Inspector Richard Taylor, Chief of Community Affairs for the city, Sergeant Mike Baratta of the 71 Precinct and Lt. Ira Jablonsky, for their assistance in making the parade possible, and for assistance with parking for the Mitzvah Tanks for the entire week of Chanukah.
“The parade would not have been the success it was without the assistance of these individuals,” said Shmuly Shuchat, co-director of the Mitzva Tank Organization.
“The Mitzvah Tank Organization would like to thank our VIP’s who did a phenomenal job leading the parade through the streets of New York, as well as all the Mitzvah Tanks and tankistim,” Shuchat said.
“The Mitzvah Tank Menorah Parade is the right way to spread the Chanukah lights,” said Rabbi Shmuel Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization and Chairman of Mitzvah Tanks. “It brings the Chanukah lights and message to the masses as the Rebbe wants.”
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The mitzvah tank org would like to thank all the bochurim ho dedicated themselves to making sure the Chanukah mitzvah tank project was a success.
Shmuly Shuchat – command & control/the man behind it all
Yossi Reicher, Zalman Katzman, Mendel Kogen. Groups Dept
Benzi Sudak (London) – ground control
Yehuda Keller & Mendy Hirsch Dispatch Dept.
Hershel Marozov – driver
Meir Avtzon – Parade
Yossi Hirsch – Concept layout design of new signs
Benzi Sudak supplies Dept
Ari Schmukler – implementation dept.
Special thank you to all the people who made the new sign design layout printing happen: Shmuly Shuchat, Ephraim Stock, Mendy Hirsch, Yossi Hirsch
The Mitzvah tank org is under the auspices of Lubavitch Youth Org.
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