Despite pro-Palestinian demonstrators in the neighborhood earlier, Chabad of Rego Park joyously celebrated Chanukah outside on December 12.
A flyer on Facebook called to “Stand with Palestine” and “Shut Down the Light Night” along with the times of menorah lightings at MacDonald Park and on 108th Street in Forest Hills and in Cunningham Park.
Three young people waved Palestinian flags around 1 p.m. at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills. Five to six counter-protestors started waving Israeli flags. Police kept them apart, according to Keith Tuohey, Community Affairs Officer for the 112 Precinct.
Ami Megiddo saw a maximum of ten people walking with a green Hamas flag along Queens Boulevard and 68th Avenue around 4 p.m.
“One chanted and the other one repeated it, and not very loud.” The chant was not in English nor a language Megiddo recognized. “They did not look like Americans to me… The whole thing was very unimpressive to me.”
Residents reported seeing 10-15 pro-Palestinian demonstrators walking past synagogues along 108th Street in Forest Hills.
Rabbi Eli Blokh of Chabad of Rego Park saw about ten demonstrators looking like “nebachs,” walking on 63rd Avenue between 99th Street and Queens Boulevard in Rego Park. “This is it? This is all you got? I’ve seen worse.”
Rabbi Eli Blokh spoke to about 100 people at the menorah lighting at Federoff Triangle in Forest Hills at 6 p.m. He discussed anti-Semitism in the world and academia.
Chanukah occurs during the longest nights of the year and the menorah faces outside: “Our message to the world is we light a small light and we’re not afraid of the darkness.”
The Greeks “wanted to replace our lights with their apparent wisdom and philosophy that seemed to have the shine and had the glitter, but it had no substance, and it had no light, and it had no hope.” Jews survived with faith and by holding onto the light of the Torah.
Jews battle physical enemies and pseudo-intellectual ones. Whether it’s terrorists hiding behind civilians or “in the halls of academia – “we know what that looks like.”
“We’re lighting the light both in this world of physical, of darkness, but also to remind ourselves that we’re not fighting against – we are fighting for,” said Rabbi Blokh.
City Councilwoman Lynn Schulman said she is the only Jewish representative in the City Council from Queens. “I am a proud Jew and in solidarity with Israel.”
This menorah lighting “is amazing. It shows that we’re all together, and we will stand together until every hostage is back and until Hamas is destroyed.”
Schulman is one of six members of the Jewish Caucus in the City Council. Next year, there will only be five.
State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi said, “This is a dark time and, Rabbi, you hit it right: Chanukah is about the light.” “From my vantage point, Israel is the light. If you’re looking around the Mideast, Israel is the light that needs to be protected.”
Hamas’ attack on Israel “was premeditated war crimes and some of the worst abuses that you can possibly imagine.”
“Then to add insult to injury,” some Americans are not standing by our democratic ally in the Middle East. “Not standing by somebody who values our human rights, values democracy.
“You have Americans who are letting their anti-Semitism show by saying we need a ceasefire.” Ceasefires are between countries, not when a terrorist organization is involved. “No country in the world would accept a ceasefire if their country was attacked the way Israel has,” said Hevesi. No ceasefire “until Hamas is finished, until their military capability to hurt Jews and Israelis is finished.”
Hevesi called the three Ivy League presidents speaking before Congress about anti-Semitism on their campuses, “one of the most disgraceful testimonies I’ve ever seen… When the people are calling for the genocide of Jews, that doesn’t violate the code of conduct? And our higher education institution? It’s an outrage.
“We are here together, united as a community. We are safe.” Hevesi thanked Lieutenant King and the officers of the 112 Precinct patrolling the menorah lighting.
After the lighting of the menorah, Rabbi Blokh tossed down chocolate gelt. Hats with “Am Yisrael Chai” and “Chabad of Rego Park” written on them were given out.
Two dollars were given to each of the children.: one dollar bill to give for charity, and one dollar bill for themselves, said Rabbi Blokh. Jelly doughnuts were given out. “The Jewish Juggler,” Shneur Smith, used balls, neon lights, and non-sharpened knives to end the festive evening.
By David Schneier
