Community Corner

The largest Chanukah celebration in New York City, the Seventh Annual Light Up the Night event, took place this past Thursday evening, drawing more than 2,500 participants after an unexpected Sunday morning snowstorm forced a last-minute rescheduling. The delay did nothing to dim spirits, as clear skies and an overwhelming turnout transformed the night into a powerful celebration of unity and light.

Pirchei and Bnos from the Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill communities enjoyed a special Chanukah ice skating trip to the Port Washington Skating Center, where the children spent the day gliding on the ice, laughing, and enjoying time with friends in a fun and festive atmosphere.

The Masbia Soup Kitchen Network distributed complete Chanukah Party Packages to single mothers and their children throughout the city, marking a new approach to one of Masbia’s most meaningful annual traditions.

This past Sunday, on the seventh day of Chanukah, families from across the community gathered at the Chabad Youth Center in Rego Park for a hands-on, educational, and spirited Chanukah Workshop, a joint project of Chabad and The Home Depot. The program was led by Executive Director Rabbi Yaakov Horvitz, whose vision and leadership helped shape an afternoon that blended Jewish meaning with fun.

Three minyanim, with more than 125 people, came together to celebrate Chanukah at the Young Israel of Forest Hills on Thursday, December 18.

The parshah opens with “Vayigash eilav Yehudah.” Rashi, citing Chazal, explains that Yehudah approached Yosef prepared for t’filah, dialogue, and even confrontation. Yehudah was not acting impulsively; he was stepping forward because he had accepted full achrayus for Binyamin – “anochi e’ervenu.”