Neighborhood Police Officers Join Chanukah Party

On Tuesday night, the last night of Chanukah, Congregation Rayim Ahuvim-Tiferes Menachem hosted a grand Chanukah party for children, featuring doughnuts, gifts a raffle and an entertaining story by famed storyteller Rabbi Yitzi Erps.

Over 100 children attended the event, which was led by Rabbi Motty Lipskier of The Beis Medrash.

A highlight of the evening was the lighting of the Menorah, with the honor given to two NYPD officers – Captain Thomas Burke, second-in-command at the 71st Precinct, and Orthodox-Jewish police officer Yoeli Witriol – who were invited to the event by shul-member and Shomrim coordinator Gadi Hershkop.

Officer Witriol told the children all about life as an Orthodox-Jewish police officer, and compared policeman to the Chanukah lights – shining brightly in places of darkness.

After the lighting, Captain Burke profusely thanked Gadi Hershkop and the Crown Heights Shomrim for giving them the opportunity to come and interact with the children of the community and their parents. “It is very uplifting for officers to have opportunities such as these, especially during such difficult times for the NYPD,” he said.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

2 Comments