Newly-Elected Mayor Honored With Kindling Miami Beach Menorah 

Five hundred people gathered at the iconic Miami Beach Bandshell to celebrate the fourth night of Chanukah with a grand Menorah lighting ceremony and Chanukah Wonderland. Miami Beach’s newly-elected Mayor Steven Meiner was honored with the kindling of the flames on a giant ice menorah.

“We were blessed to be joined by our new mayor,” says Rabbi Benzion Korf of Chabad of Miami Beach, who put on the event. “He goes about his duties proudly sporting a yarmulke. It’s a beautiful kiddush Hashem, an inspiration to us all.”

“This was our largest crowd yet,” says organizer Rabbi Chaim Stern. “Like the Chanukah candles that grow from night to night, the crowd grows every year.” The event featured a variety of activities including crafting a Kotel menorah and a live graffiti wall. There were plenty of refreshments to go around and participants were treated to a lavish meat spread. “I’m so happy I could help make this beautiful event possible,” says one event sponsor, Mrs. Jennifer Capland. “It’s a real kiddush Hashem.”

“This year’s Chanukah bash took on new meaning as our brethren in Eretz Yisroel continue to battle true darkness,” says Rabbi Korf. The participants didn’t just show their solidarity by attending but took on special hachlatos in the merit of the soldiers protecting our land. “We’ll be sending our resolutions to them to demonstrate our support and uplift them.”

Photos by Menachem Williams