Chanukah in Orange County: Tuxedo, Raining Gelt, Coin-orah

The first three nights of Chanukah saw three unique Chanukah events in Orange County, NY, organized by area Shluchim Rabbi Pesach and Chanie Burston.

On Sunday, the 1st night of Chanukah, Chabad of Orange County hosted a Menorah Lighting at the train station in Tuxedo, NY.

First, a menorah lighting was held outdoors.  Deputy Town Supervisor Gary Phelps lit the shamash.

“The shamash serves the other candles,” Rabbi Pesach Burston said, “so we have a human shamash – a town official – to light the shamash!”

Tuxedo family Landgraff lit the first candle. Then, a reception was help in the Community Room in the iconic train station, with latkes, doughnuts, hot cocoa crafts and a raffle.

On the 2nd night of Chanukah, the weather forecast in Monroe called for a mild 45 degrees and a storm of hailing Chanukah Gelt!

Menorah Lighting with Monroe Mayor Purcell and Harriman Mayor Welle, followed by Gelt Drop, hosted by Shluchim Pesach and Chana Burston.

The ceremony also included latkes, doughnuts, hot cocoa, glow lights, raffles and overall good Chanukah fun.

On Tuesday, December 8, Chabad of Orange County held a “Coin-orah” community Chanukah celebration.

The event, held at Colonial Lanes in Chester, brought together more than 200 people to celebrate.  The highlight was the building and lighting of a giant “Coin-orah;” a menorah filled with coins to charity.  Celebrants brought in pushkas, or exchanged coins at the event, and filled the entire 8 foot menorah with coins!

Another highlight was the presentation of the special Chabad Hebrew School Chanukah video, produced by Chana Burston in honor of the event, now posted online.

The event also featured an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet, latkes, donuts, dreidel games, bowling, Hebrew School Choir and, to top it all off, a thrilling contortion show with Jared Rydelek.

Deputy Orange County Executive Wayne Booth visited during the party, added gelt to the menorah, and expressed how impressed he was with the amount of people and the warm atmosphere.

“This is what a menorah looks like after everyone has put in their two cents,” Burston joked. “A community coming together for sharing and giving.”