Youngsters to light up the county's streets for Hanukkah

Monroe — On Sunday, Dec. 17, Chabad of Orange County will hold a hummer menorah parade, beginning at 3 p.m., at its Monroe location, 845 Route 17M. One stretch hummer will be for teens and the other for children ages 5 to 12. The cost is $8 a person. There will be Hanukkah music, refreshments, and a hunt for large, outdoor menorahs in Chester, Warwick, Middletown and Woodbury. Youngsters will also distribute free menorah kits. The parade will conclude at 5:15 p.m., by Chabad’s public menorah lighting ceremony in the Goshen Village Green (Church Park). Chabad explains, “Hanukkah is a Jewish eight-day holiday, which celebrates religious freedom. Eight-branched candelabras are known as menorahs. The menorah is placed on a window or a doorpost facing the outside in order to publicize G-d’s miracle, with its message of hope and religious freedom, to all. Today, to people of all faiths, the Hanukkah holiday serves as a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness.” Explaining the hummer menorah parade, Chana Burston, director of Chabad Hebrew School, said “We wanted to get the kids involved in a hands-on Hanukkah experience.” Kerri Peller said, “As a mother of a young Jewish children, I feel it’s so important for the youth to associate Jewish tradition with fun.” Chabad of Orange County, headed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, will hold public menorah lightings in Monroe and Tuxedo Park, as well as Goshen. In Monroe, the lighting will be on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 5:30 p.m., at Chabad’s Monroe location. In Tuxedo Park, the lighting will on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m., on the lawn near the train station, on Rte. 17, across from the entrance of Tuxedo Park. In launching the Hanukkah campaign in the county, Rabbi Burston stated, “The eternal message of the menorah lights has particular significance in light of current world events, which remind us all too starkly that the forces of oppression and darkness are still present.” Chabad will ignite more than 12,000 large public menorahs throughout the world this Hanukkah, reaching more Jews than ever before. Chabad of Orange County is also sponsoring a Hanukkah Bowl and carnival on Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Colonial Lanes in Chester. Participants will have the opportunity to do a an art project, play Hanukkah games, see a video presentation, and enjoy a buffet dinner, including latkahs and donuts, the traditional holiday food. Admission is $10 for the entire program: bowling, shoes, food and program. For more information about Chanukah or about Chabad of Orange County, call 782- 2770 or e-mail rabbi@ChabadOrange.com or visit www.ChabadOrange.com.