Photos: 8th Day Brings Down the House in Boca

Fortunate is the eye who beheld the scene at Sanborn Square in Boca Raton, FL on Sunday – the 6th night of Chanukah. In unprecedented fashion, thousands of men women and children joined together to celebrate the Festival of Lights amidst a palpable sensation of unity and joy. Carnival rides and food stalls were the initial order of the day for the throngs who began pouring upon the square in the early afternoon.

At 5:15, Rabbi Ruvi New began the Menorah lighting ceremony, together with co-sponsors – Chabad of Boca Raton directors Rabbi Zalman Bukiet and Rabbi Moshe Denburg and Rabbi Efrem Goldberg from the Boca Raton Synagogue.

The Rabbis each shared an inspirational Chanukah message and were followed by Holiday greetings by County Commissioner Steve Abrams and Congressman Allen West. In a particularly moving moment, Rabbi Denburg passed the Shamash around from child to child, as Rabbi New led crowd in singing Shma Yisrael.

The highlight and stars of the evening were the sensational Jewish Rock Band “8th Day,” who rocked the outdoor venue with their catchy songs, belting out hit after hit from their platinum albums. The thousands in attendance, clapped, danced and sang the night away to 8th Day’s infectious groove. After relentless chants for their hit song “Ya’allili,” 8th Day finally obliged and brought the house down like only 8th Day can.