BROOKLYN (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The New York Jewish community celebrated the first night of Hanukkah Thursday with a kickoff concert and menorah lighting in Brooklyn and a lighting ceremony for the world's largest menorah in Manhattan.
According to NYC Parks, each night of Hanukkah is celebrated with live music, hot latkes and gifts for children at the largest menorah in Brooklyn, located at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park.
A live musical performance began at 5 p.m. Thursday to mark the beginning of festivities.
1010 WINS/WCBS 880 attended the event and witnessed the hundreds of attendees get amped up by the concert, hot chocolate, knishes and glow sticks before the lighting.
“In this time that we are living, a party and celebration is very important, because in essence every human being is good,” Rabbi Moshe Hecht, who led the event, said.
Rabbi Hecht and other special guests were lifted into the air to light the first Hanukkah candle, which will glow for eight nights.
The menorah lighting times for the largest menorah in Brooklyn are below:
• Friday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:15 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m.
Simultaneous to the Brooklyn lighting, the world’s largest menorah was lit Thursday across from the Plaza Hotel at Fifth Ave. and 59th St. in Midtown.
Designed by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam, at 36-feet the menorah has been confirmed as the world’s largest by Guinness World Records, according to the Chabad Lubavitch press office.
“This year’s celebration will be even bigger and more comprehensive than we’ve done before,” Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization, said ahead of the event. “At such a crucial moment in our people's history, with the war in Israel, and rising antisemitism, we are resolute in celebrating Hanukkah at the World’s Largest Menorah with the people of New York, and showing the world even a little light can overcome much darkness.”
Among those who attended Thursday’s lighting was Gov. Kathy Hochul, who posted a photo on X in celebration of the holiday.
“Light will always triumph over darkness. Happy Hanukkah, New York!” the post read.
The menorah lighting times for the largest menorah in the world, located in Manhattan, are below:
• Friday, Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Eric Adams attended the national menorah lighting during a trip to Washington D.C. and posted a celebration of the Festival of Lights on X.
“Let us remember that these eight nights are not just a time to gather and celebrate. They are a moment for all of us to keep our Jewish brothers and sisters in New York City and all over the world in our hearts,” Adams’ post read.