On the very cold and blustery afternoon of Monday, Nov. 29, the Village of Florida celebrated the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah on the lawn of the Village Hall. Rabbi Meir Borenstein of the Chabad Center of Orange County in Goshen led the crowd in a greeting and blessing and Mayor Dan Harter Jr. lit the candles to begin the celebration. Photo provided by Beth Fuller/Florida Chamber of Commerce.
On the very cold and blustery afternoon of Monday, Nov. 29, the Village of Florida celebrated the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah on the lawn of the Village Hall.
Rabbi Meir Borenstein of the Chabad Center of Orange County in Goshen led the crowd in a greeting and blessing and Mayor Dan Harter Jr. lit the candles to begin the celebration.
The participants then moved into Village Hall for songs, which included a dancing driedel, and messages of well wishes for the holiday from the mayor and Orange County Legislator Paul Ruszkiewicz.
Borenstein told the story of meeting a person who inquired about the large menorah in place in Chester and wanting to purchase it. The rabbi told him that he could not have that one, but, perhaps, could purchase another.
The person said yes, yes, I want one. It turned out to be none other than Jeff Rosenberg, who’s family once owned the village hall as a family residence, who’s family name graces Cohen Circle and who donated the menorah to the village.
Everyone was treated to sufganiyot (jelly donuts), menorahs and driedels distributed by the children of the rabbi.
Participants included Mayor Dan Harter Jr., Legislator Paul Ruszkiewicz, Trustees Tom Fuller Sr., Alyssa Jahrling and Matt Roach, Village Clerk Colleen Wierzbicki, members of the Chamber of Commerce and the community.
It was, as always, a joyous occasion and a lively round of driedel gaming was enjoyed.