Town celebrates light at annual menorah lighting

Rebecca Klar
Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Rabbi Shalom Paltiel light the menorah on the third night of Hanukkah for the town's menorah lighting ceremony. (Photo by Rebecca Klar)

Hanukkah is a time of year to celebrate light, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth said.

“Not only the light of the menorah, but also the light in our lives,” Bosworth said at the Town of North Hempstead menorah lighting on Thursday.

Bosworth was joined by the Chabad of Port Washington to light the menorah on the third night of Hanukkah.

Nassau County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum lit the shamash, the middle candle used to light the others, and Bosworth made the blessing and lit the three candles for the night.

Cantor Noam Segal sings Hanukkah songs at the town’s menorah lighting.
(Photo by Rebecca Klar)

Rabbi Shalom Paltiel led the group in two songs, “God Bless America” and “Oseh Shalom,” to celebrate following the lighting.

Town of North Hempstead council members including Peter Zuckerman, Angelo Ferrara and Anna Kaplan also attended the ceremony. Other officials, including Town Clerk Wayne Wink, state Sen. Elaine Phillips and Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman came out to Town Hall for the lighting, too.

The group retreated from the cold to have latkes, jelly donuts and coffee following the ceremony.

Paltiel told the group that Hanukkah is all about the power of light.

“A little bit of light can beat an entire warehouse of darkness,” Paltiel said.

Paula Groothius, an Albertson resident, said she tries to attend all the town events she can. She became an active town member after Zuckerman stuck to a campaign promise and helped Groothius get a book she wrote into the library, she said.

Rabbi Shalom Paltiel and Supervisor Bosworth speak to the crowd at the town tree lighting.
(Photo by Rebecca Klar)

Groothius said as with all town events she attends, the menorah lighting raised her spirits.

“What a mood I’m in just from being here and listening to the rabbi,” Groothius said.

Paltiel told the group that miracles don’t just happen in ancient stories – they happen in everyday life.

Whether it be financial, family or health issues, it can feel like a clouds uncertainty and worry are constantly descending, Paltiel said.

“But Hanukkah comes along and says, ‘Only a little light, we add more each night, but … we have light,'” Paltiel said. “And everything becomes clearer and lifts that cloud.”

When that cloud is lifted, Paltiel said, every day becomes a joyous holiday.

 

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