World’s Largest Menorah to Be Lit in NYC

The World’s Largest Chanukah Menorah will be lit again this year at New York’s most fashionable Plaza, Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, by Central Park, between the Plaza and the Pierre Hotels.

The 36-foot high, gold-colored, 4,000 pound steel structure will be lit nightly with genuine oil lamps. Specially designed glass chimneys will protect the Chanukah lights from the Central Park winds.

“The Menorah serves as a symbol of dedication, strength and inspiration to all people to serve G-d freely, openly and proudly,” said Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, director, Lubavitch Youth Organization.

Starting with Sunday Kislev 24, December 22, the World’s Largest Menorah will be lighted every evening at 5:30 PM. On Friday 29 Kislev, December 27, at 3:30 PM. On Shabbos night Kislev 30, December 28, at 8:30 PM.

DESIGNED BY WORLD RENOWNED ARTIST YAACOV AGAM AND CERTIFIED BY GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS

The Menorah was certified by Guinness World Records as the World’s Largest. It was specially designed by world-renowned artist Yaacov Agam who was present for the lighting of the Menorah many times. It was inspired by a hand drawing by the Rambam (Maimonides) of the original Menorah in the Beis Hamikdosh in Yerusholayim.

THE REBBE PERSONALLY APPROVED THIS MENORAH

The Menorah had the singular honor of standing in miniature on the desk of the Rebbe. The Rebbe personally approved the form of this Menorah. It was only after the Rebbe’s personal approval that the Menorah was built to its present dimensions.

REBBE WANTED THIS MENORAH TO BE THE LARGEST.

In an interview with “Kfar Chabad” Magazine, Yaacov Agam said that “the Rebbe wanted that this Menorah should be the World’s Largest.” When there was talk about making a large Menorah in another city the Rebbe instructed that the height of that city’s Menorah should be 27 feet.

TESTIMONY BY FAMED DIPLOMAT YOSSI CIEHANOVER

Yossi Ciehanover, the famed Israeli Diplomat who had very strong connections with the Rebbe, and whose wife Rivkah Ciehanover was instrumental in the World’s Largest Chanukah Menorah, testified to “Kfar Chabad” Magazine, “that the Rebbe wanted this Menorah to be the world’s largest.”

Over the years the World’s Largest Menorah was lighted by New York City Mayors, Abraham Beame, Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudolph Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio and Governors George Pataki and David Paterson as well as other dignitaries.

Due to the height of the World’s Largest Menorah, it will be served by 3 cranes. A special 45 foot “Cherry-Picker” crane, as well as two “Platform-lifts” on both sides of the Menorah that will lift the lighters to the “Menorah Heights.”

HOT LATKES AND LIVE MUSIC ON FIFTH AVENUE
During the festival of Chanukah there will be live music and hot Chanukah Latkes by the World’s Largest Menorah on Fifth Avenue.

Chanukah carries an additional message,” adds Rabbi Butman. “The Rebbe teaches us that we are ‘the last generation of exile and the first generation of Redemption’ and the lights of the Menorahs that our brethren light the world over, will usher in the eternal light of Moshiach, the eternal light of the Great Redemption.”