Isaac Draiman – Baltimore Jewish Life
At Baltimore City Hall, City Council President Bernard “C” Jack Young was joined by Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, Jewish Uniformed Services of Maryland to celebrate lighting of the “City Hall Menorah.”
Many dignitaries were in attendance including City Councilwoman Rochelle “Rikki” Spector, Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, Councilman Carl Stokes, Councilman Eric Costello, Comptroller Joan Pratt, Betsy Gardner, City-Wide Jewish Community Liaison, Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, Deputy Commissioner Dean Palmere, Lt. Col. Marcus Williams, Major Byron Conaway, Captain Jason Yerg, Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Wagner, Baltimore City Sherif’s Department Lt. Gruz,Yitzy “Isaac” Schleifer, State’s Attorney’s Office, Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of Maryland Erwin Burnick, Neil Schaechter, Northwest Citizens on Patrol, Rabbi Levi Druk, Chabad of Downtown Baltimore, Rabbi Yaakov Kaplan, Chabad of Maryland.
Betsy Gardner spoke of the trials and tribulations that the City has been through in the past year. But, as she pointed out, through it all “we must, as a City, be thankful for the gifts were are given such as the gift that was presented to the City Council President and City Hall last year by Rabbi Chesky Tenebaum – the City Hall Menorah”.
Council President Young noted that the City Hall Menorah represents the Annual Ceremony marking the victory of religious freedom and the miracle of G-d.
Rabbi Levi Druk, spoke about the meaning of the word Chanukah and the story and miracle of the holiday.
A good laugh was felt through the room when Rabbi Tenenbaum shared his story of how he and the City Council President’s friendship began 2 years ago at 35 feet in the air in a cherry picker when they were ascending to light the “Baltimore” Menorah at McKeldin Square. The rabbi stated, “I turned and saw trepidation in the Council President’s eyes, he was holding on for dear life. I then reminded him that we are doing a mitzvah, and when someone does a mitzvah there is nothing to fear.”
The Boys Choir of Cheder Chabad of Baltimore performed various Chanukah songs and melodies.
A small reception was held afterwards, where dignitaries, and City Hall employees partook in delicious Sufganiyot.
The next big thing!
My children love going to school at the Cheder, they learn well and have lots of great things happening. Thank you
Anash of Baltimore are really rocking it!!! Thanks Chezky for orginizing the great menorah car parade. My kids loved being a part of it.
Go Cheder Chabad!