New Windsor celebrates Hanukkah with Menorah lighting

Posted 12/28/22

Residents of the Town of New Windsor joined together on Tuesday, December 20 to celebrate the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah located in front of Town Hall along Union Avenue. Music, dancing, hot …

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New Windsor celebrates Hanukkah with Menorah lighting

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Residents of the Town of New Windsor joined together on Tuesday, December 20 to celebrate the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah located in front of Town Hall along Union Avenue. Music, dancing, hot apple cider, an ice menorah and camaraderie were all part of the celebration.

The festival of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights is celebrated within the Jewish faith in remembrance of the bravery of Jewish soldiers who drove their enemies out of Jerusalem. The Syrians had invaded the holy city of Jerusalem and desecrated their holy place of worship known as the Temple. A Jewish resistance drove out the invaders and after reclaiming the city and Temple, they looked to light a flame in their holy space but only had one day’s worth of oil.

Miraculously, the single jug of oil kept burning for eight days which is where Hanukkah originated.

New Windsor Recreation Director Matthew Veronesi welcomed all those gathered to the Hanukkah celebration and introduced Rabbi Shmuel Serebryanski of Chabad of Eastern Orange County, who led the crowd in celebrating the lighting of the menorah. “Don’t forget that when you go home tonight, light up your own menorah in your own home, post it on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, whatever you have, social media, spread the light,” said Serebryanski. “We [those gathered] are a beacon of light. When we give light, we never lose light. It’s something we can give ad infinitum without losing any of our own light. So just spread the goodness, spread the kindness.”

With a flip of switch, the menorah lit up and residents cheered following with songs and prayers. Town Supervisor George Meyers, Councilman Stephen Bedetti, Councilman Steve Moreau, Councilman Sylvia Santiago, Town Clerk Kelly Allegra, Chief Robert Doss, Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, Assemblyman-Elect Christopher Eachus, Town Justice George Meyers and other town staff made guest appearances at the Hanukkah lighting.

Following the menorah lighting, children took place in a Hanukkah gelt drop with the assistance of the Vails Gate Fire Department who dropped the gelt from their ladder truck for the kids to grab.

Additionally, an ice menorah created by Bill Bywater, created in about 45 minutes, was prepared and lit as well in front of the town hall. Joining Bywater was his wife Amy, and they both shared joy and excitement to be a part of the lighting celebration. Both Bill and Amy shared that they are Catholic but also have several members of their family and friends who do practice the Jewish faith, and both were happy to celebrate with their families and to bring their ice work for the first time to the New Windsor community.

“I’m feeling great and energetic,” said Bill. “It’s a great community event for people to come out to, and have a good time together. It’s a little chilly, but it’s perfect ice carving weather,” said Amy. “Everybody from all faiths are coming here, they’re just going to watch and then they’re going to learn something, hopefully, that people can learn something different than what’s their normal.”

The evening concluded with games and crafts, drinks and food and a place to warm up at the community center before heading home for the evening. Hanukkah began the evening of December 18 and concluded on Monday, December 26.