Eight Nights of Light Illuminate NYC, Drawing Thousands in Show of Jewish Pride and Resilience
by Jacob Scheer – Chabad.org/news
The World’s Largest Menorah concluded its 48th year as a beacon of hope and light at Grand Army Plaza this week, with thousands gathering across eight nights of Chanukah in a powerful display of Jewish pride and unity. The celebrations took on profound significance this year, as each night was dedicated to the 15 victims of the terror attack in Sydney, Australia, on December 14, which sent shockwaves through Jewish communities worldwide.
Each night in New York, as the 36-foot menorah’s flames increased, attendees honored the memory of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, a beloved Chabad emissary as well as the other victims, embodying his own words on combating rising antisemitism: “Be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish.”
“Following the tragedy in Sydney, our job as Jews is not to cower, hide or be fearful, but instead to shine our light brighter and be even more proud of our Judaism,” said Rabbi Yossi Butman, who officiated the nightly lightings alongside Rabbi Velvl Butman Development Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, Executive Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Westchester County.
A Legacy of Light
New Yorkers responded with their presence. The first night drew approximately 300 attendees, with crowds swelling throughout the week as weather and word-of-mouth brought increasing numbers to Manhattan’s Grand Army Plaza. Warmer evenings saw the plaza packed with families, students, and community members, while even bitter cold couldn’t keep dedicated celebrants away.
The Butman brothers honored their late father, Rabbi Shmuel Butman OBM, whose vision brought the world’s largest menorah to Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in 1977. Designed by world-renowned kinesthetic sculpture artist Yaacov Agam and certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest, the 36-foot structure has become an iconic symbol of religious freedom and Jewish resilience in America’s greatest city. The menorah’s design was inspired by Maimonides’ hand drawing of the original menorah in Jerusalem’s Holy Temple.
Distinguished Guests and Joyous Celebrations
The week’s lightings attracted notable civic and business leaders, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul on the third night, John Catsimatidis, CEO of Gristedes grocery chain, on the fourth night, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and Danny Naveh, President and CEO of Israel Bonds.
Nightly festivities featured spirited musical performances from Chasidic singing sensation Yoni Zigelboum, world-renowned musician Andy Statman, and Brooklyn’s own Rabbi Eli Raskin. Yeshiva students distributed dozens of menorahs and jelly donuts each evening, spreading the holiday joy beyond the plaza.
Working closely with the NYPD, organizers ensured extra security throughout the eight-day celebration.
“This is Chanukah”
The final night—known in Hebrew as “Zos Chanukah,” meaning “this is the dedication”—drew an especially large and spirited crowd on Sunday, December 21. As all eight lights blazed together, the atmosphere radiated inspiration, unity, and togetherness, a fitting culmination to a week that transformed grief into determination.
“The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson taught that the Menorah is a universal symbol of liberty, and holds an important place not only in Jewish life, but in the life of the American people,” said Rabbi Velvl Butman. “As we prepare to mark America’s 250th birthday, we look to the word ‘flag’ for inspiration. Flag stands for Freedom over Oppression. Light over Darkness. Action over Despair. Good over Evil. That is the Jewish people’s flag and mission this Chanukah.”
The Rebbe launched the worldwide Chanukah campaign in 1973, revitalizing observance of the Festival of Lights globally and bringing the holiday to the forefront of American life. This year, Chabad-Lubavitch erected more than 15,000 large public menorahs in over 100 countries, including at landmarks such as the White House, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and Plymouth Rock.
“The Rebbe famously called America a Malchut Shel Chessed—a Nation of Kindness,” said Rabbi Butman. ”May each of us be inspired by the Menorah’s light—which increases in number each night of Chanukah—to do even more in the realms of goodness and kindness, illuminating the lives of everyone personally, and of society at large.”
