Posted to Chabad News on

Chabad Of The Valley Lights Up Universal Citywalk For The First Night Of Chanuka!

STUDIO CITY, CA [CHI] — Chabad of the Valley had another smashing success at its sixth annual Chanuka extravaganza at Universal Studios Citywalk. “Look at the size of this crowd!”, said Rabbi Yossi Malka of Chabad of Encino as he ascended the lift to kindle the giant 16 foot menorah along with philanthropists George Schaeffer and Lyle Weisman. According to Rabbi Mayer Greene, the event’s emcee, the rousing concert and celebration had the participation of those who identify themselves as orthodox, conservative, reform or even unaffiliated Jews. In fact, many temples, day schools and other organizations encouraged their members to participate.

More pictures in the Extended Article! (136 pictures)

Event coordinators, Rabbi Yossi Baitelman of Chabad of Studio city and Rabbi Yochonon Baitelman of Chabad of Porter Ranch stated that on any given day, tens of thousands of people find themselves visiting CityWalk. This, on top of the thousands that flocked there specifically for this event, once again created the largest Chanuka celebration Los Angeles has ever seen. For 4 hours, from 5:00pm till 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday the first night of Chanuka, Universal Studios CityWalk was transformed into a “Chanuka Extravaganza” with a live concert by world-renowned artists including the Piamentas, the Moshav Band and 8th Day. With face painters and kosher food galore, a grand time was had by all. The onstage entertainment also included a fascinating demonstration of how to make olive oil by Rabbi Nachman Abend of Chabad of North Hollwood, the rousing music of the up and coming band, “10 Seconds Later” and Chanuka songs sung by the students of Emek Hebrew Academy. Local dignitaries including a representative from U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman’s office, the Israeli Consul General and representatives from all branches of the military and law enforcement were on hand to address the crowd. Also on hand to address the crowd were the Executive Director of Chabad of the Valley, Rabbi Joshua B. Gordon and the Associate Director of Chabad of the Valley, Rabbi Mordechai Einbinder.

The enormous Jumbotron Astrovision screen, which is the central focal point of CityWalk, displayed all of the onstage entertainment. The highlight of the day, however, clearly was when the Rebbe was repeatedly shown on the giant screen. “To see a place like this so completely taken over by the light of Chanuka is truly the fulfillment of Pirsumei Nissa!” remarked Rabbi Yanky Kahn of Chabad of Tarzana.

Related Articles

29 Comments

  • Wanted to be there

    I speak for myself and the other moms that are like me. I would have loved to go last nite. My kids look forward to City Walk all year, but being on a school night, the kids have homework when they come home, and then need to get up early the next day. I wish you could consider the fact that especially because there are other nights of chanuka when the kids have vacation, if u have to make it on a week night, can u possibly make it on a week night when the kids are off of school the next day? PLEASE????

  • give kids a good time

    To wanted to be there.
    First of all most schools DONT give homework over chanukah. I dont know what school your kids go to but every Orthodox school I know of gives the nights free of homework as a special treat to enable kids to clebrate the Holiday. Also there was ample to time to go straight from school stay for 2 hours eat some dinner over there which was being sold at a nominal fee, enjoy the festivities and be home by 7:30. We all run a little late once in a while. Too bad for your kids they are only kids once and fun should be a part of there upbringing,

  • chaya

    it was amazing!! moshav band were awesome!!! you met everyone their
    but i didnt know mendy pellen was there!!
    happy chanukah!

  • awesome night~!

    WOOOHOOO I had so much fun!!!!!!!!! I love how the whole crew is in every other picture :)
    Happy Channukah

  • DR

    that was i think the best canukah city walk concert from all the times that I was there HAPPY CHANUKAH!!!!

  • Proud Emek Parent!!

    The Emek Hebrew Academy 4th grade boys sang unbelievably at City Walk! Giving the children the opportunity to share the light of Yidishkeit on Chanukah through this wonderful median is something only a wonderful school could provide. Thank you Emek for giving our children such an amazing Jewish education in school and out!

  • give kids a good time...

    I’m not there in CA, but where my kids go to school (a Lubavitch Cheder) my kids did have homework last night! And two of my oldest had big tests today…during Channukah!!

    What great pictures, it looks like a fun time was to be had!!

  • Dr. P.C. Hirsch

    It was awesome to have my grandson sing in the choir for the first night of Chanukah. Thanks for inviting EMEK to your "party".
    Dr. P.C. Hirsch in Valley village, CA
    P.S. My son, his father participated in a choir for Chabad many years ago when he was in elementary school. The tradition continues!

  • school teacher

    why would a cheder or a jewish school give homework or a test over chanukah? Dont we want to teach our children that chanukah is a holiday? Dont we want our students to enjoy the chaukah fun? These parties add to what we are teaching so I would NOT give any work over such a time.

  • Bella Miriam

    Those Emek boys sure were cute! I’m sure their parents are all very proud. It was great to see so many Jews in one place celebrating and having fun.

    The Moshav Band is amazing and the band 10 Seconds Later was pretty good for a high school garage band playing for their first big crowd.

    Happy Hannukah

  • Who else-Mom

    Well, the Friedman boys were there despite the homework and the test the next day (as anyone can see by the gorgeous picture).

  • V. L.

    Every year we go to the Chabad program, but this year was the best every. My family had an amazing time – really one of the best Chanukah parties ever! I really liked the music, Moshav was awesome, Piamenta’s where great, and we thought it was great that a local band “10 Seconds Later” played – they were very good! We got a CD from them and their music is very inspirational for such young players and songwriters. Chabad – keep it up!!!!!

  • Biggest Fan - Jess B

    I was very impressed with the band 10 seconds later!!! great job…awesome event!

  • Natalie

    Next year in Universal City! Sorry we missed it….our nephew plays in 10 seconds later….and WE ARE SO PROUD OF HIM (aka…Aaron Goldblatt!)…It looks like a wonderful celebration!

  • gp

    I would like to Thank Chabad and especially Rabbi Greene for giving 10 seconds later a time slot to perform we are very proud of their success, They are inspired,to produce more music with Jewish themes Happy Chanuka The event was an absolute fabulous

  • a proud mother

    Yossi your hard work made everyone happy, and i am the proudest mother in the world.