The Rego Park and Forest Hills communities joined the Chabad of Rego Park to light a 16-foot menorah on the second night of Hanukkah at the Federoff Triangle on Monday, Dec. 19.
Guests in attendance included Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, and other elected officials who gave remarks at the event.
The event featured a chocolate coin drop from atop the menorah and hot potato latkes that are traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah. Complimentary Hanukkah menorahs and candles were distributed as well for participants to light at home.
Rabbi Blokh, director of Chabad of Rego Park, presented each of the elected officials with the book “Positivity Bias” based on the teachings of Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Blokh emphasized “the way to combat darkness and hatred is to increase in light and look for the good and positive in those around us.”
The Chabad of Rego Park was established in 1997 by Rabbi Eli and Shulamis Blokh as a branch of Chabad-Lubavitch, the world’s largest Jewish educational outreach organization. The Chabad has hosted the menorah lighting, which has become a local tradition, with the Queens borough president for over a decade.
