The weather outside may be frightful but hopefully that doesn’t stop you from enjoy the outdoor holiday festivities. Many organizations on Long Island are holding public menorah lightings to begin the Hanukkah festivities. For those unfamiliar with the Jewish tradition of celebrating Hanukkah allow me to explain. A menorah is a candelabrum with eight branches of equal size that sit in row, one for each night of Hanukkah. A separate candle holder, called a Shamash, sits in the middle. The Shamash is used to light the other candles on the menorah since it is forbidden to use any of the eight candles for any purpose other than viewing. The significance of lighting of the menorah on Hanukkah lays in the tale of the Jewish Maccabee’s successful revolt against Syrian rule. The Maccabees found only enough oil to light the menorah for a day but it miraculously last for eight until more oil could be obtained. The following lists provides the names and address of some of the organizations hoping to celebrate this miracle with you and the Jewish community.
1. Family Hanukkah Show at Mid Island Y JCC
45 Mantetto Hill Road, Plainview
Dec. 18 @ 3:30pm, with candle lighting and refreshments after a comedy show featuring David Engel
2. Veteran’s Plaza at Kings Park Library
1 Church Street, Kings Park
Dec. 18 @ 4pm
3. Menorah Lighting at Kennedy Plaza
Park Avenue, Long Beach
Dec. 20 @ 5:30pm
4. Hanukkah Car Parade and Grand Menorah Lighting at Merrick Golf Course
2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick
Dec. 20 @ 6:30pm – 7:30pm
5. Huntington Town Hall
100 Main Street, Huntington
Dec. 20 @ 6pm
6. Nightly Menorah Lightings in Cedarhurst Village
Dec. 20-27 @ 6pm, except Friday Dec. 23 @ 3pm and Sunday Dec. 25 @ 5pm
7. Friendly Drugs Parking Lot
1036 Main Street, Holbrook
Dec. 20 @ 6pm
8. Nightly Menorah Lightings at the intersection of Lake Avenue, Moriches Road at 25A in St. James (across from the St. James Fire Department)
Dec. 20-27 @ 5pm, except Friday, Dec. 23 @ 4pm
9. Nightly Menorah Lightings at Nesconset Plaza
Dec. 20-27 @ 6pm, refreshments will be served.
10. Family Hannukkah Bowling at AMF Commack Vet Lanes
2183 Jericho Turnpike, Commack
Dec. 23 @ 4-7pm, includes menorah lighting, dinner and activities
11. Hanukkah Wonderland at Long Island Sports Complex
103 Mill Road, Freeport
Dec. 23 @ 4-5:30pm, open play for all ages plus grand coin menorah and lighting