Participants gather around the menorah after the Menorah Lighting ceremony in Monroe. From left to right: Sarah Shollar, Shari Meshulam, Chabad Youth Director Nechama Jacobs, County Legislature Myrna Kemnitz, Payton Sale, Michele Dixler (above), Chana Burston, co-director of Chabad, Gavin Reich, Rabbi Pesach Burston, Director of Chabad, Shirley Pleeter, David Dixler, Monroe Village Mayor John Karl, Village Trustee Charles Lesser, Lester Pleeter and Town Councilman Harley Doles
“The story is told of a group of boys studying in yeshiva one night when, suddenly, the lights went out,” began Rabbi Pesach Burston, director of Chabad of Orange County, “In an attempt to calm the other students, a student announced, ‘Don’t worry friends. In a moment your eyes will adjust to the darkness.’