Thousands at Florida Festival

by Yehuda Obermeyer

Hallandale Beach came alive last night, Wednesday, the 22nd of December, the seventh Chanukah lichtel, with the sounds of vibrant Jewish Music. The historic video will soon be ready, produced by Chabad.org.

Over 10,000 people, on three floors and three balconies of the overflowing Gulfstream Park and Casino, from all walks of life, observant and soon to be observant, participated. There were Modern Orthodox and unaffiliated, Litvish and Chassidish, Israeli and South Americans, Canadians and New Yorkers, all celebrating the 35th Annual South Florida Chassidic Chanukah Festival, produced by Chabad of South Broward Headquarters.

Veteran Festival attendees are calling it “The Greatest Chanukah Festival Ever”. Avraham Fried was in “his zone”, outshining all his previous Chanukah Festival performances. He sang straight for 90 minutes, with the best of his all time Hebrew and English hits. He was joined by his New York musicians and the Yossy Bayles Orchestra. Hundreds of people participated in the half hour Grand Finale of the Concert, by intense, joyous and lively dancing, bringing diverse Jews together in a sea of Simcha and unity.

Rabbi Cantor Yossi Lebovics was spectacular, leading the Menorah lighting Ceremony, that included Rabbi Abraham Korf, Florida’s Head Shliach, and scores of community leaders. Over 3,000 gift bags, containing a real dollar bill, Chanukah Chocolate Gelt, and other holiday goodies were distributed by the students of the Chaya Aydel Seminary to the thousands of boys and girls in attendance.

Special prayers were said for the complete and speedy recovery of Elana Leah bas Shaindel Rochel, Zvi Hirsh Chaim ben Gutel, Menachem Mendel ben Shoshana, and Rebbitzen Brocha Rivkah bas Sarah Basya.

Festival Coordinator was Chabad’s Program Director, Rabbi Levi Tennenhaus, who has taken the Festival to new heights in the last few years. He was assisted by Rabbi Mordy Feiner, Rabbi Moshe Schwartz, Mendy Schwartz Rabbi Mendy Tennenhaus, scores of volunteers, and the Chaya Aydel Seminary students.

Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, Chabad’s co-director, who celebrated the start of his and his wife Rebbetzin Goldie’s 36th year on Shlichus in South Broward this past Chanukah, expressed the hope that “the 36th Annual South Florida Chassidic Chanukah Festival, the largest Chanukah Festival in the world, takes place next year in Yerusholayim, with Moshiach, NOW”!