By COLlive reporter
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada welcomed West Coast Chabad’s Rabbi Chaim Nochum Cunin and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Cunin for a pre-Chanukah celebration in the Lyndon B. Johnson Room of the United States Capitol.
The Senator joined Chabad in a symbolic lighting of the center “Shamash” candle on the Menorah on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011.
During the ceremony, the Senator was presented with an exquisitely handcrafted Menorah graced with Swarovski crystals, which he accepted on behalf of the People of Nevada.
The Menorah will be prominently displayed throughout the Festival of Lights in the Office of The Majority Leader in the Unites States Capitol.
After Chanukah, it will be on display at Chabad’s new community center and educational campus in Reno, Nevada.
The Menorah presentation was inscribed with a quote from The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, that reads: “The tallest candle on the Menorah is the one that serves to kindle others.”
The ceremony took place on the 19th day of Kislev, the day that the founder of Chabad, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812), was freed from imprisonment in czarist Russia in 1798.
The event highlighted Senator Reid’s ongoing, leadership efforts to secure the freedom of the Schneerson library and archives from Russia, which include holy books and handwritten manuscripts by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi.
In light of his efforts, the Senator was presented with a copy of Kehot’s new and revolutionary English Torah, published by Chabad of California, with an interpolated English translation and commentary based on the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
The Senator’s young cousin is presently studying for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah at Chabad of Reno, and he was excited to receive this book to help him better prepare for the special occasion.
West Coast Chabad serves the community with over 200 educational, outreach and social service centers in California and Nevada.
That Nevada is making a kidush hashem at the senate
A very big kidush hashem for chabad
coooooooolllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zrizin makdimin lemitzvos. When performing any mitzvah, … It is not considered a breach of the principle of zrizim makdimin to wait for the ideal time
most government offices are closed at this time of the year in observance of the holidays… which makes it all the more impressive when they take the time and make it a priority to celebrate chanukah.
YALL R AWESOME
where are the cunins from reno?
Seeing the Kehot Torah in this article warmed my heart. Ever since I was first introduced to it my understanding of Torah has been completely transformed. I now recommend it to my friends and family and have purchased many a copy for distribution to social and business acquaintances. Thank you for enriching my spiritual journey with this masterpiece.
Perhaps it is the only date available for the senator.It is showing respect to the Jews, and gives an awareness to Jew and non-Jew alike that chanukah is approaching.
Dates are given when chanukah actually begins.
Do we not make mock sedarim before pesach?
Best Rabbi!!!
Looking good!
What was the senator saying when he lit the candle and the shliach look of devotion?
@1
Why not? The people like it. Power went out the other day due to a rain storm in LA and we used menorah with colored candles just for light. No reason not to and it is fun!
that explains why they lit the shamash, not the menora. the fact that he makes it an important priority to welcome this event is very encouraging – especially when our list of ‘friends’ around the world these days seems to be shrinking, not growing.
perhaps to inspire people to celebrate this year, give them time to get
ready
What is the Inyan of all these early Menorah lightings. This has been going on even before Rosh Chodesh Kislev (in Sydney Austrailia).
it is to get the message out with sufficient amount of time for people to buy their own menorah so they can take part in yomtov like good jewish people. its not about not doing it on chanukah, rather about making an effort to at least inform the public to be ready and perform this mitzvah on chanukah.
please please explain me why there is a trend starting to light chanukah lights NOT on chanukah?