In Buenos Aires the Grand Menorah-lighting at La Plaza Republica Oriental del Uruguay has become a tradition and the way all parts of the Jewish community celebrate Chanukah.
This year marking the 30th anniversary of this event, an extraordinary program and publicity campaign was arranged.
The event was scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 17, but as the 8 p.m. starting time approached, rain started falling in sheets on Buenos Aires.
The outdoor event was almost postponed because of the rain. It poured hard for 15 to 20 minutes, and then it suddenly stopped. People came from everywhere; it was a beautiful event.
Under dark yet clearing skies, the program began and a 20-piece philharmonic orchestra played. Music was arranged by Menachem Feldman, Zalmy Okunov and the KEF orchestra. A film By Rabbi Yoshua Birman of Jabad.tv with highlights of Chabad’s work in the last 30 years was shown, reflecting the great changes the Argentine Jewish community has seen in the last three decades.
The menorah was lit by dignitaries and community leaders including the chief of cabinet minister of Buenos Aires, Sr. Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and Israel’s ambassador to Argentina, Dorit Shavit.
Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt national director of Jabad Lubavitch pointed out how these 30 years of consecutive public Menorah lightings in Argentina is a true Chanukah miracle and shows how light will always overcome the darkness.
The program continued with artistic shows and music by Rabbi Daniel Zelione and Menachem Feldman with the Kef Orchestra.
Thousands of people of all parts of the Jewish community and all the Batei Chabad enjoyed an unforgettable evening arranged by TZACH of Chabad Lubavitch Argentina.
TZACH of Chabad Lubavitch Argentina is a code word for Levi & Etti Silberstein.
Truly great humble Shluchim doing incredible work while giving everyone credit except themselves.
Bravo los Silberstiens