Baysiders light holiday symbols

The Bayside Business Association is keeping the tradition of the holidays alive with a Christmas tree and Menorah they maintain in the Plaza at Bell Boulevard, near the Long Island Rail Road Station.
On Wednesday, December 3, religious, civic and business leaders gathered for the ceremonial lighting. Rabbi Yossi Blesofsky illuminated the lights of a giant Menorah and then commented.
“It is most fitting that we do this, one week after the tragic events in Mumbai, India,” Blesofsky observed. “Both of our holidays are observed with lights; those who did those terrible things are the forces of darkness - our spirit of coming together here is a spreading of the light.”
Then the tree was lighted, other leaders spoke and Santa sang, after which everyone went inside for cookies and other goodies.
The small Nativity scene at the base of the tree will be brought indoors overnight this year, after the statues were stolen and never recovered last year.
“How could anyone do such a thing,” Santa was heard to say.