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Rabbi Yossi Blesofsky, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Queens, once again brought out the crowds for a spectacular Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony, now in its 27^th year. Graced with the presence of Congresswoman Grace Meng, State Senator John Liu, NYC Council Member Paul Vallone, Assemblymembers Ed Braunstein and Nily Rozic, and NYC Council Member-elects Linda Lee, Vickie Paladino, and Sandra Ung, Rabbi Blesofsky ascended via a cherry picker to the heights of the menorah for the formal lighting. Lynn Schulman expressed her delight with the program but was unable to attend.

Residents of Margaret Teitz Nursing and Rehabilitation were treated to a festive holiday party this past Thursday evening, December 2, in celebration of Chanukah. Many residents joined together in the center’s synagogue to partake in a special menorah lighting ceremony and jovial rendition of Maoz Tzur led by the facility’s rav, Rabbi Zavel Pearlman. The program continued with delicious donuts and latkes with a side of apple sauce all served in an atmosphere of joyous music led by in-house musician Russell Targove. “While we could not yet have the families of our residents join due to COVID precautions, we moved forward with a beautiful Chanukah party greatly enjoyed by our residents,” said Linda Spiegel, Director of Public Affairs for the center. “It is our hope and prayer that we can all celebrate together next year.”

A central part of Chanukah are our community’s children. Rabbi Mendy Hecht of Chabad of Forest Hills North held a Chanukah Disco to spread the light of Chanukah this past Sunday morning, December 5. “The kids were literally glowing like crazy,” said Rabbi Hecht. The event brought together all the elements of a glow-in-the-dark dance party with glowing cupcakes, and a glowing dreidel spinoff. Children who are part of the CKids of the Arts joined other neighborhood Jewish children for the program.

On Monday, December 6, the final day of the Chanukah, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce followed its mission of building bridges via commerce by facilitating a unique signing that will have rippling effects worldwide.

This past Sunday, Cunningham Park was the site of the third annual Light Up The Night - Community Chanukah Celebration for the Jamaica Estates, Hillcrest, Holliswood, Hollis Hills, and Fresh Meadows areas. The idea was launched three years ago by Rabbi Shmuel Kogan, a Jamaica Estates resident. The rabbi desired to create an annual event that brings together the over 12 shuls in the Jamaica Estates and surrounding areas for Chanukah.

Chanukah is a time of celebration. But with every party comes the need for security and safety. Our community organizations understand the importance of protection and took a moment to send members of law enforcement a token of appreciation for always being available to keep our communities secure. Chaverim of Queens delivered Chanukah care packages of donuts to the 102^nd and 107^th police precincts, while Queens Borough Safety Patrol – Shmira visited Forest Hills’ 112^th precinct. Hatzolah of Queens and Great Neck invited members of the New York Police Department to their Chanukah celebration hosted at Ner Mordechai in Kew Gardens.