A 14-foot ice Menorah was sculpted in Midtown at Hudson Yard’s winter wonderland. People stopped in their tracks to enjoy the sight of chainsaw-chiseling artists carving huge blocks of ice into a magnificent giant ice menorah.
Delighted passersby were dusted with snow-like sprays from the holiday celebration. Chabad Midtown’s Rabbi Joshua and Brocha Chana Metzger welcomed commuters, office workers and local residents to the celebration.
The ice Menorah event, organized by Sarah Perel Metzger was conducted on a freezing evening – great ice menorah weather. Notwithstanding the cold, Adina Metzger, and friends handed out donuts, dreidels and holiday swag.
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Chabad of Midtown Manhattan is located on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, a few short blocks from Grand Central Station, Times Square and the United Nations.
Mendel Metzger and Avi Metzger organized groups from Westchester and New Haven Yeshivas to man the menorah locations around midtown.
Spontaneous socially distanced dancing broke out nightly outside Chabad on Fifth Avenue generating much excitement from passing traffic (see video).
Rabbi Asher Webb, Yudel Rader and members of The Midtown Kollel lit a 16-foot menorah every night in front of Chabad Midtown and distributed countless menorah kits.
Bryant Park, the site of Chabad Midtown’s famous Sukkah, added a Menorah at the ice skating rink. Even during Covid, thousands flock through the park daily to enjoy this popular outdoor venue.
As in years past, outdoor public Menorahs were kindled by Chabad Midtown branches at local celebrations. Rabbi Shmuel and Raizy Metzger on Sutton Place, Rabbi Levi and Perel Shmotkin in Madison Square Park, Rabbi Noach and Dini Heber at Chabad of the Plaza District, Malka and Rabbi Yaakov Werde at Fashion Institute of Technology FIT, Rabbi Chaim and Shaina Dray on 47th Street in the diamond district – all conducted public Menorah lightings.
On the popular High Line, amidst the floral decor and art sculptures, Levi Gorman lit the menorah every night. Nearby, a lighting ceremony was conducted every night at Hudson Yards Park near The Vessel and shopping mall. Office workers, visitors and residents at the new towers and hotels in Hudson Yards were thrilled to join the festivities.
At the busy intersection of Park Avenue and 34th Street, a new menorah was lit every night in conjunction with The Murray Hill Association led by Jon Harari.
In Tudor City near the United Nations, a menorah was lit by Rabbi Joshua Metzger for the 25th year. The event is organized by David Reif of The Tudor City Greens.
In Midtown Manhattan, inundated with holiday hoopla and bright lights – the public Menorahs serve as a beacon of Jewish pride in the heart of the city.
The Chabad center also serves as a ‘home away from home’ hosting Chabad centers and institutions throughout the year.
College students from FIT, Baruch College, CUNY Graduate Center, SUNY and Stern College joined in the Chanukah festivities. Basya Hans organizes student activities for area college students.
In the era of Covid, these Menorahs brighten the hearts and minds of all who enjoyed them.
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Levi Gorman is awesome!!
Missing you in Toronto:)
Hatzlocha in all your future projects! (Also go Basya Hans!!!)
Wow beautiful job this looks nice and you all had a good time and that’s the most important thing