Morris Park Menorah Lighting

 

In Jewish religion the day begins at sundown, so Thursday night was the first day of Chanukah with Loreto Park as the site to light the Morris Park Menorah. Rabbi Saabia Pewzner was joined by Councilman Mark Gjonaj, New York State Assembly members Michael Benedetto and Nathalia Fernandez, Female District Leader Irene Estrada, Steve Glosser of the Bronx Jewish Community Council, and members of the Morris Park community. 

Rabbi Pewzner showed a video of Chanukah around the world and then spoke about the holiday here. Councilman Gjonaj, Assemblyman Benedetto, Assemblywoman Fernandez, and District Leader Estrada all spoke, and then it was on to light the middle and ninth candle that is used to light the other candles one more each day of the holiday. Only one other candle to signify the first night of Chanukah was lit. Assemblywoman Fernandez lit the middle candle, and Rabbi Pewzner lit the end candle for day one of Chanukah. Each night another candle is lit until the eight day when all eight candles plus the middle candle are lit. 

Above - Rabbi Pewzner explains the holiday of Chanukah as Councilman Mark Gjonaj stands next to him.

Below - Assemblyman Michael Benedetto whose district Loreto Park is located in says a few words about Chanukah , and what the holiday means to him.

Above - District Leader Irene Estrada a member of the 49th Precinct Clergy Coalition speaks about the holiday called the Festival of Lights.

Below - Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez goes up the ladder to light the middle candle of the Menorah.

Above - Rabbi Pewzner lights the end candle only for the first day of Chanukah. 

Below - A group photo with Rabbi Pewzner's children in the front

row, (L - R) Rabbi Pewzner's wife, Assemblywoman Fernandez, District Leader Estrada, Councilman Gjonaj, Steve Glosser of the BJCC, Rabbi Pewzner, and Assemblyman Benedetto in front of the menorah with just the middle and right candles lit on the first day of Chanukah.