TONIGHT: World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah Salutes NYPD at Lighting Ceremony
The World’s Largest Menorah will be lit on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m. in a “Salute to New York’s Finest,” honoring the brave men and women of the NYPD at a time when they have been increasingly active in confronting antisemitism and acts of hatred throughout the city.
The lighting took place on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in Midtown Manhattan and featured renditions of traditional Hanukkah songs by the NYPD Police Band. Notable NYPD officials first Deputy Police Commissioner Edward Caban and Inspector Richie Taylor as well as Joel Eisdorfer, senior advisor to Mayor Eric Adams kindled the giant menorah on the fifth night of Hanukkah.
“The fifth night, when the majority of candles are lit on the menorah for the first time, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness,” said Rabbi Shmuel Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization, which organized the event. “How apropos that on this night, we honor the brave men and women who are at the forefront of combating darkness in our city and protecting the liberties that we so cherish.”
On lighting the menorah with Chief Maddery, Taylor said, “it’s an honor to be lighting the world’s largest menorah with Chief Maddrey, as he is someone I have admired since becoming a police officer and has since become a mentor to me and so many others in the department.”
“Chief Maddrey has focused on fighting the scourge of antisemitic violence in New York City. He’s walked the beat with me and community volunteers and leaders in Brooklyn and is a committed friend to the Jewish community and, really, all communities of New York,” said Taylor.
“The mayor, himself a former NYPD captain, understands well and is grateful for the sacrifices police officers make every day to keep the city and all of us safe,” said Eisdorfer. “Hanukkah teaches that each of us can make a positive difference, which is what New York City police officers do every day. What better time to honor them.”
The Guinness World Record-Certified World’s Largest Menorah was designed in 1986 by world-renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam and was inspired by Maimonides’ hand-drawing of the original menorah in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Over the years, the World’s Largest Menorah has been lit by New York City Mayors Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudolph Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio, Eric Adams; Govs. Mario Cuomo, George Pataki and David Paterson; U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and many other dignitaries.
The celebrations carry added significance this year as Jewish communities worldwide mark the year of Hakhel, a once-every-seven-years tradition that sees Jewish gatherings focused on unity and Torah learning and practice.
The annual New York City tradition is part of the worldwide Chanukah campaign, an initiative launched in 1973 by the Rebbe. The campaign focuses on creating awareness and promoting observance of the holiday. A menorah lighting has taken place at the location at Grand Army Plaza since 1977.
A central theme of the festival is to publicize and make known the story of the Chanukah miracle.
Today, the unprecedented public display of Chanukah has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life in New York City and around the world, forever altering the practice and perception of the festival. This year, Chabad-Lubavitch will set up more than 15,000 large public menorahs in more than 100 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House in Washington, D.C.; the Eiffel Tower in Paris; and Trafalgar Square in London.
