Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Wednesday, December 8, 1999

Release #473-99

 
Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958



MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani this evening hosted New York City's annual lighting of the Chanukah Menorah in the Surrogate Courthouse Atrium in Lower Manhattan. The celebration of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, commemorates the victory of the Jewish people over religious oppression in the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

"It's a pleasure to be here this evening to light the Menorah as we celebrate the sixth night of Chanukah," said Mayor Giuliani. "This is one of the happiest of Jewish holidays -- a celebration of perseverance, faith, and strength in the face of difficult, almost overwhelming, odds. This is also a time of year that children and families celebrate tradition by exchanging presents, spinning dreidels, making and eating latkes, singing songs, and being together for the lighting of the Menorah. I hope all of you have a wonderful Chanukah full of happiness, warmth and light."

The ceremony culminated with the Mayor lighting the Menorah's middle candle, Shamash, followed by Cantor Ira Heller leading the singing of Maoz Tzur, which is traditionally sung after the candle lighting.

In the spirit of gift giving during Chanukah, invitees to the Menorah Lighting Ceremony were asked to bring gifts that will be distributed to children by various Jewish organizations through the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. On hand to witness the Menorah lighting were children from the Ramaz Middle School, members and clergy of the Jewish community and public officials. The event was sponsored by J&R Music World/J&R Computer World.

The Mayor was joined at the celebration by Corporation Counsel Michael Hess: the Honorable Shmuel Sisso, Consul General of the State of Israel; and Rabbi Irwin Katsof, Executive Vice President of the Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah.

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