Menorah Lights Up Nation’s Oldest City

ST AUGUSTINE, FL — As the sun dropped out of sight Wednesday evening, December 5, crowds gathered in the Plaza de la Constitucion to participate in a celebration that has become something of a tradition here in St. Augustine. It was the second night of the Jewish festival of Chanukah and a 9 foot menorah stood in the center of the Plaza, ready to be lit.

City commissioners, vice mayor Mr. Don Crichlow and former mayor Mr. George Gardner lit the first candle as an enthusiastic crowd of 120 looked on. They shared holiday greetings on behalf of the City with all the participants and expressed their pleasure in being able to attend. Mr. Gardner then presented Rabbi Levi Vogel, who directs Chabad activities in St. Augustine, with the City’s Coat of Arms for service to the community.

“The menorah is a universal symbol of religious freedom”, said Rabbi Levi Vogel. “That is really why Chanukah is such a publicized holiday, why we take it out to the street. It’s a message for all people everywhere: each individual has the power to affect the world in a positive manner. All one needs to do is light a small candle, to do a good deed to brighten our surroundings. However, because we are not content with that alone, all eight nights of Chanukah we add another candle. When it comes to doing good, we must never be satisfied with what’s already been done. We continue to increase, always striving to do more.”

Mr. Jeff Cohen led everyone in the blessings and lit the two remaining candles. Song sheets were distributed and Vogel then led the crowd in a sing-along of Chanukah favorites.

“This is just one of thousands of public menorah lightings going on around the world”, says Vogel. Chabad, a worldwide Jewish educational and outreach organization, has recently opened its doors in St. Augustine.