Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, was celebrated at the International Synagogue at Terminal 4 JFK Airport, with music, food and good will on 26th Kislev, 5778 (December 13, 2017).
Under the direction of Rabbi A, Korenblit, Chaplain at the synagogue located at the chapel area on the main floor of Terminal 4, a Chanukah party was held and welcomed all to attend. Synagogue board members included Manny Weiss, the synagogue President, Fred Finkelstein, Ilene Brodman, and Alan Kaufman.
The Yeshiva of Flatbush High School Choir was on hand to sing several Jewish holiday songs under the direction of Brian Gelfand as many in the audience, including JFKIAT management, tapped their toes, and clapped to some of the more universally known songs.
Rabbi Korenblit told the story behind the Chanukah celebration which is essentially about “perseverance” he said. In the 2nd c century BCE, the Israeli’s fought against intruders and defeated a much larger army.
In celebration they were to light the Menorah but discovered there was only one days worth of olive oil to do so. Miraculously the oil lasted for eight nights, heralding the Chanukah celebration. Rabbi said “We didn’t give up. It was the greatest miracle. We preserved and chased away the darkness of the world.”
TheT4 Synagogue had several beautiful menorahs, the candle holder for this celebration, and Rabbi Korenblit invited everyone that attended to light a candle for the second night. One by one, people of all faiths, stepped forward to accept this honor and to be part of the light from darkness ceremony.
Afterward, the entire group was treated to latkes, potato pancakes, and donuts to officially end the celebration of the second night of the eighth day tradition of Chanukah.
Sponsors of the holiday event included El Al, AerLingus, and Emirates which contributed tickets for the raffle and IS International Shoppes, API and the Hudson group for their raffle donations.
