Tall menorah lights up the skies over Brooklyn to celebrate start of Hanukkah
NEW YORK -- Millions of Jewish families across the world were lighting Hanukkah candles on Sunday night to usher in the Festival of Lights. In the Tri-State Area, dozens of celebrations were held to mark the joyous occasion.
These faith communities are coming together to dispel darkness.
Brooklyn's largest menorah towers above crowds of dancing people at Grand Army Plaza.
"Just a little bit of light from every single home, you end up bringing a lot of light and a lot of joy," said Sara Wolko of Crown Heights.
A night of blessings, gifts, and joyous celebration.
"Do that little act of kindness that will make the world a little brighter and our goal is for the world to be as bright as day, during the night," said Esther Meyers of Crown Heights.
The lighting of the giant menorah has been a tradition in the community for decades and the rabbi says with every year, the crowd and festivities get larger and larger.
"This is a tradition at this location since 1985, in particular is something very special because it's on these grounds right here where just a few weeks ago, people were spreading messages of hate against the Jewish people," said Moshe Hecht, executive coordinator of Chabad of Park Slope.
Despite the holiday, antisemitism weighs heavily on many hearts.
"The best thing we can do in those times is call it out, but also make sure that those lights are shining brighter than ever," Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said.
Many said they're thankful to see so much support for the Jewish people.
"Means so much to us. We appreciate it and we're just so happy to celebrate it together," said Menachem Rubenstein of Crown Heights.
Across the river in Midtown, Manhattan, the world's largest menorah was on display as hundreds gathered.
"Singing songs, spinning the dreidel, it's one of my favorite holidays that I love to celebrate," Columbia University student Liana Marks said.
And during the celebration, hate against Jews was also on people's minds.
"Antisemitism is darkness. You dispel darkness with light. As a smart person said, 'When others curse the darkness, I light a candle.' So we're not only lighting a candle against antisemitism, we're lighting the world's largest menorah right here on Fifth Avenue," said Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization.
Antisemitism was also the topic of discussion in Borough Park earlier Sunday, as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand joined leaders at the Met Council for a Hanukkah day of service, where she addressed what her office is doing to help on a federal level.
"I've asked the White House to elevate this issue of antisemitism, so I've requested increased funding for the envoy's office, a special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, and to elevate him to the rank of ambassador," Gillibrand said.
Volunteers helped at a kosher food distribution program that feeds more than 2,000 Holocaust survivors each week.
Each celebration vows to spread light in its own way, in the hopes of a safer and brighter tomorrow.
