Miami Mayor Manny Diaz lit the Menorah at City Hall for the final time as Mayor of Miami. The Mayor has extended his friendship to Chabad and specifically to Rabbi Yakov Fellig, Director of Chabad of South Dade, and has accommodated Chabad for as long as he has been in office. Chabad of South Dade has staged extravagant Chanukah celebrations at City Hall – including spectacular fireworks displays from the roof of City Hall – and hopes to continue to do so with the next Mayor as well.
Mayor Diaz was very gracious in his remarks to Chabad and Rabbi Fellig after being honored with lighting the center candle. Rabbi Fellig presented him with a “golf” Menorah, telling him that he will have plenty of time to golf after retiring from office.
Miami’s chief of Police was then honored and was presented with a beautiful Menorah that was made in Israel. The Chief noted that he had just returned from a trip to Israel, where he had met with counter terrorism experts to learn their techniques and apply them here in Miami. Rabbi Fellig thanked him on behalf of the Jewish community for insuring our safety here in Miami.
Other honorees were Mr. Tzvi Raviv, an advisor to the current and past Prime Ministers in Israel, who is visiting Miami, and Mr. David Efron, an attorney who is active in AIPAC.
The event was emceed by Judge Jeff Rosinek who had recently retired after 22 years on the bench.
