We Have Bridge, Tunnel Covered

By COLlive reporter

A landmark event was held this Chanukah at the George Washington Bridge in New York.

For the first time, Menorahs were lit at the upper level, lower level and Palisades Parkway entrances to the bridge, thanks to the work of the Bris Avrohom outreach organization.

At the lighting ceremony, Bris Avrohom staff were accompanied by Robert Durando, General Manager of the GWB of the Port Authority of NY and NJ, Kathleen Donovan, Bergen County Executive, Bris Avrohom supporters and other Port Authority personnel.

The menorah on the upper level was lit by Albert Palacci, a staunch supporter of Bris Avrohom. The lower level menorah was lit by Alan Pines, Executive VP of Bris Avrohom, and his son Justin.

The menorah at the entrance from the Palisades was lit by Ronnie Stern, Bris Avrohom Board member. Proclamations were presented to Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky, Executive Director of Bris Avrohom, and Mr. Durando of the Port Authority, by the County Executive Donovan.

The staff of Bris Avrohom, with their guests, davened Mincha with a minyan at the GWB, much to the astonishment of passing drivers. As each menorah was lit, the Port Authority closed one lane onto the bridge to accommodate the crowd.

Earlier in the week, Bris Avrohom lit menorahs at all three Staten Island crossings- the Bayonne and Goethals Bridges and the Outerbridge Crossing. This event was coordinated by Roger Prince, General Manager of the Staten Island Crossings of the Port Authority of NY and NJ. The menorah at the Goethals Bridge was lit by the Kaminsky family.

Between the GWB, the three Staten Island Crossings and the Holland Tunnel, from which you can see a Bris Avrohom menorah atop a commercial property in Jersey City, 20 million commuters, tourists and NJ residents will see how the light of a Bris Avrohom menorah illuminates the miracle of Chanukah.

As reported on COLlive.com, a 12 Ft. menorah was lit for the first time at Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport, as well.

The Garber family, who flew in from around the United States to be at this event, sponsored the 12 foot menorah. The General Manager of the airport and the General Manager of El Al Airlines were also in attendance for this historic event.

In addition to lighting 50 public menorahs, Bris Avrohom is holding carnivals, providing gifts for children and celebrating at parties for seniors. They will distribute over 1000 menorah and candle sets, over 800 children and teens will receive toys, dreidels and gelt, over 1100 seniors will be participating in parties, over 3000 doughnuts are being served and over 8000 bi-lingual brochures were distributed.