Release #485-00

 

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Sunny Mindel / Lynn Rasic (212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani this evening hosted New York City's annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the first night of Chanukah, the "Festival of Lights" - commemorating the victory of the Jewish people over religious oppression at the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Joining the Mayor for the celebration were Meryl Tisch, President of the Metropolitan New York Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty; Yosef Livne, Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York; Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, Founder of the National Jewish Outreach Program and the Founding President of the Association for Jewish Professionals.

"It is my pleasure to be here tonight to join in the celebration of the first night of Chanukah," Mayor Giuliani said. "Chanukah represents the victory over oppression and marks an important moment in the history of religious freedom. It is a celebration of perseverance, faith, and strength in the face of oppression and intolerance. I want to take this opportunity to wish for a happy and healthy Chanukah in New York City; and also for safety, security, stability and peace in the Jewish homeland, the State of Israel."

At the ceremony, the Mayor lit the "Shamash" - the Menorah's middle candle - and the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway led 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 in need through various Jewish organizations. This evening's event was sponsored by J&R Music World and J&R Computer World.

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