Rabbi Perl Celebrates Chanukah in TV Studio
While many people are out shopping and decorating for the holiday season, Rabbi Anchelle Perl of Chabad in Mineola, is doing what he has done for the past 18 years — preparing for his annual Chanukah Telethon.
In its 18th year, the annual Chanukah Telethon, co-hosted by Perl, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on WLNY TV10/55 and via live webcast at chanukahtelethon.com.
This is the time of year for generosity and hope, according to Perl, who is looking forward to spending one of his Chanukah nights raising money for those less fortunate. “That little cruise of oil that should have only last for one day, lasted for eight. Every small package has the potential for tremendous good,” he said. “Every human being carries that cruise of oil. That light and hope is inside every one of us.”
The origins of Chanukah date back to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem during which, after a victory over the Syrians by the Maccabees, there was only enough oil to light the temple for a day. However, the light lasted for eights days, during which time fresh oil was cultivated.
“Even though there was a miraculous war and victory, the ultimate message of Chanukah is not about how many armies were beaten, but how much light we bring into the world. That’s what the Chanukah Telethon is all about,” Perl said. “We should never be satisfied with the good things we did yesterday. When it comes to tomorrow night, we have to light another candle. There’s always an ever-increasing dimension of what we can do to impact the world. You can light many candles. No one should ever be afraid to give because when we give, we gain ourselves.”
The need for the telethon becomes greater every year Perl said. “We know the times are very tough. We just need to make the effort of lighting up and taking the first step in making things come back in response.”
The telethon will feature a segment during which some Long Islanders who are in need of a job will have an opportunity to speak about themselves. “If anybody out there wants to call us, we’ll be happy to put them in touch,” Perl said.
Domestic abuse and violence will, this year, be one of the causes the telethon will address. “We’re going to have a survivor speak about what she went through,” Perl said.
The telethon will also feature a latke eating contest as well as a segment on Holocaust survivors.
Proceeds go toward supporting programs for youth in the Jewish community as well as the community synagogue, domestic violence crisis intervention and hospital visitation to the lonely.
