1000 Partake in Central Park Chanukah on Ice!

Close to 1000 people took to the ice on Central Park’s Trump Wollman Rink for an evening of Jewish unity on Tuesday, December 06, the sixth night of Chanukah. Chabad’s Chanukah on Ice NYC drew people from all five boroughs and beyond, to as far away as England, South America, Israel and France.

With the dramatically lit NYC skyline overhead, Central Park’s iconic skating rink was the perfect setting for Chanukah On Ice.

Skaters of all ages circled the rink to the sounds of lively Jewish music. The food concession served a kosher dinner and drew long lines as people came in to warm up on the complimentary hot drinks and donuts.

In the heated tent, families stopped in to enjoy crafts, videos and purchase lit-up menorah jewelry and other Chanukah gadgets.

Co-director of Chabad Children’s Programs of Chabad of the West Side Rabbi Chayim B. Alevsky led the lighting ceremony as skaters gathered around the dramatically lit Ice Menorah to participate in the lighting.

“The Lubavtcher Rebbe said that every Jew is a lamplighter.

It is our mission, said the Rebbe, to ignite the internal spiritual flame within ourselves beginning in our homes, and with our families, intensifying and increasing the light of the Torah and Mitzvot daily, just as the Chanukah lights grow in number day by day.

But though it begins at home, it does not stop there. We kindle the Chanukah Lights (in our windows, or outdoors) to illuminate the “outside,” to share the light of Torah & Mitzvot with our friends and environment.

Until the whole world is one big blazing spiritual light, the light of people studying the Torah, the light of people living a meaningful and purposeful life, dedicated to G-d’s Mitzvot, until we bring about the light of Moshiach.” Rabbi Alevsky said.

Cellist Laura Kegeles, from Chabad of the West Side arranged for her fellow musicians, pianist Mikhael Pais and violinist Stephanie Kurtzman to accompany the crowd singing the Maoz Tzur and then performed a moving rendition of Chabad’s Haneirot Halalu.

World class boxer Dimitri Salita had the honor of lighting the Menorah.

Dimitri was introduced as “Our very own, modern day Maccabee, otherwise known as ”the Star of David.“

”Tonight, in the spirit of Chanukah, we bestow the honor of lighting the worlds coolest Menorah upon a young and powerful man who is a rare example of genuine religious devotion in the truest Chanukah spirit.

Dimitry Salita has been fighting the battle of religious freedom since his youth in Russia and now, here, in the land of the free, as a fully observant Jew who holds many boxing titles and will G-d willing earn the world title on Dec. 16the in NYC, Dimitry still fights the battle of Jewish Pride and utilizes every opportunity to educate the world and spread the light of Torah and Judaism.“

This year, event organizer Mrs. Sarah Alevsky rented the entire rink for Chanukah on Ice.

Chabad Centers of the West Side, East side, West 60’s, Midtown, Beekman – Sutton, Israel Center, Harlem, Washington Heights and Student Center of Columbia all participated.
Director of Special Events Gwen Weinstock said, ”This year’s event was smoother than ever. We look forward to working together with Chanukah on Ice again, and we already circling potential dates for next years’ event!“

Rabbi Shlomo Kugel, Director of Chabad of the West Side was beaming with joy and very happy with the turnout and success of the event. ”This is a wonderful Kiddush Hashem“ Said Rabbi Kugel, as so many people from all walks of life join together to celebrate in a warm Kosher setting.”

Chanukah on Ice drew rave reviews from the attendees, with many calling it the highlight of their Chanukah celebration. As one participant wrote, “Amazing, amazing time last night, it really was a whole new level of celebration with kosher food and Jewish music. It was great. Our kids started skating better after the menorah and could have gone on all night!”