Chanukah Celebration To Honor Pittsburgh Victims In Port

This year's Menorah Lighting Ceremony & Celebration in Port Washington will pay special tribute and offer a memorial prayer honoring the 11 Jews killed in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting last month.

The celebration, sponsored by the Chabad of Port Washington, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Port Washington LIRR Station. It is one of the most widely attended Chanukah celebrations on Long Island.

Holiday festivities kick off at 3 p.m. with live music, a fire juggler, distribution of Chanukah gifts and traditional holiday delicacies like hot Chanukah "latkes" jelly donuts, and gelt. A giant 14-foot menorah will be erected as a main attraction.

Other goodies:

• Starbucks of Port Washington will be donating hot coffee.
• EmbroidMe of Williston Park has donated event themed scarves to the first 200 participants.
• Nearly 3,000 chocolate gelt coins will “rain” down on the gathered crowd.

This year's event will dedicated in memory of Beverly Hazelkorn by her husband, Steven. Their grandchildren will light the menorah. Beverly was a beloved member of the local community.

“Beverly was a bright sunshine person,” says Rabbi Shalom M. Paltiel of Chabad of Port Washington. “I think of her as the ‘Annie of Port Washington’, full of joy and vigor. She was ‘high on life’. It is very appropriate that her life is honored at an event which ushers in the ‘Festival of Light’ to our community.”

Chabad PW is also placing large Menorahs at the following locations: Corner Main Street & Shore Road; Manorhaven Village Hall; Front lawn of Chabad on Shore Road, Corner of Port Washington Blvd & Northern Blvd; and in the following area stores: Stop ‘n Shop, North Shore Farms & King Kullen in Manhasset.

Chanukah runs from the evening of Sunday, Dec. 2 until the evening of Monday, Dec. 10. The holiday celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, when it is said that one day's worth of sacred oil lasted for eight days.

Images via Chabad