Judge Removes Robe for Mitzvah

By COLlive reporter

Westchester County’s officials in New York were treated to festive Menorah lightings with the local Chabad Shluchim, bringing the joy and celebration of Chanukah in the spirit of Pirsumei Nissa to the highest levels of county government.

The ceremony at the headquarters of Westchester County government was a crowning touch to the more than 20 public Menorah displays throughout the county, including its largest Menorah, 30 feet tall, located at the JCC in Scarsdale.

The Shluchim, led by Westchester’s head Shliach Rabbi Velvl Butman of Scarsdale, were invited to continue a long-standing tradition of a Chabad Lubavitch Chanukah reception at the county executive chamber.

The delegation of Shluchim included: Rabbi Yosef Y. Butman of Armonk–Chappaqua-Pleasantville; Rabbi Sruli Deitsch of Bronxville-Mount Vernon; Westchester’s newest Shliach Rabbi Levi Groner Pelham and Pelham Manor; Rabbi Yehuda L. Heber of Yorktown-Somers-Cortlandt; Rabbi Dovid Labkowsky of Briarcliff- Ossining-Croton-Sleepy Hollow; Rabbi Mendel Silberstein of Larchmont-Mamaroneck; Rabbi Benjy Silverman of the Rivertowns and Rabbi Arik Wolf of Bedford-Pound Ridge.

Hosting them for the lighting were County Executive Robert P. Astorino, Deputy County Executive Mr. Kevin Plunkett and their executive and administrative staff. 

Each of the Shluchim shared with County Executive Astorino a Chanukah message from the Rebbe. Mr. Astorino was inspired by the many lessons of the Menorah and the holiday of Chanukah. 

After noting that his visit to the Kotel in Jerusalem was most meaningful to him and were he “saw G-d,” the Shluchim presented Astorino with a charity box shaped as a replica of the Beis Hamikdosh where the miracle of the Menorah’s oil took place.

With the pushka in hand, the Shluchim gave Mr. Astorino a dollar for charity, emphasizing the Rebbe’s lessons of the dollar bill including the words “In G-d We Trust” which are prominently displayed on the American dollar bill, as well as the inscription of the divine “eye that sees.”

The Tzedakah Pushka is prominently displayed on Mr. Astorino’s executive desk. 

The Shluchim shared the Rebbe’s teaching of  the importance and significance of giving charity, acts of goodness and kindness, including the message of unity stated on the United States dollar bill “E Pluribus Unum” – out of many, one. 

County Executive Astorino told the Shluchim of his personal faith in G-d, how it is the American tradition to recognize the creator as it is well known that the founding fathers wanted to ensure the freedom to practice religion and faith in G-d, as faith in G-d is the foundation of a civilized society and of a child’s education.

Mr. Astorino emphasized that the constitution of the United States is currently misinterpreted by those who claim that the constitution says we should keep G-d and religion out of the public square.

“The constitution wants to ensure freedom to practice religion, not a nation free from religion,” said Mr. Astorino.

The Chanukah celebration culminated with the Shluchim playing dreidel, singing and dancing with County Executive Astorino who especially enjoyed the dancing of “We Want Moshiach Now”. 

Mr. Astorino personally thanked each of the Shluchim for the visit, expressing his appreciation for each Shliach taking time out of his busy schedule to honor him with such a prominent delegation. 

At Chief Justice & District Attorney

The delegation of Shluchim were invited to a special Lubavitch Chanukah Menorah lighting reception at the White Plains  executive chambers of New York State Supreme Court Chief Justice for the ninth district , the Honorable Judge Alan D.  Scheinkman. 

Judge Scheinkman, the first Jewish justice to hold this position in the ninth district, proudly dawned a Yarmulke, made the blessings and lit the Menorah. Rabbi Dovid Labkowski inspired the judge to put on Teffilin and for which he partially removed his robe.

The Shluchim and Justice Scheinkman enjoyed a Chassidic style Farbrengen  around his conference table, discussing the Rebbe’s emphasis on the Seven Noahide Laws which include establishing a G-D based society with a justice system predicated on divine law. 

Continuing an annual Menorah lighting celebration at the District Attorney’s office, each of the Shluchim shared an inspirational thought with the entire staff of the Westchester D.A. office. 

First Deputy District Attorney Mr. Mark George lit  the Shamash candle, followed by festive dreidel playing and song.

20th Anniversary

This year marks a milestone birthday for the 30-foot Menorah in Scarsdale, as it is 20 years since Rabbi Velvl Butman began and he continues this annual tradition.

The Menorah, located at Westchester’s most Jewish traveled intersection near the Jewish Community Center in Scarsdale, is lit with the kind help and graciousness of Con Edison who always provides as a community service a Cherry Picker.

The Westchester, a famous opulent Mall, a Simon Mall and the most prestigious upper class, high fashion shopping center in the region, proudly displays a Chabad Lubavitch decorative Menorah display at the entrance to the prominent shopping center located in White Plains New York. The Menorah is seen by tens of thousands of shoppers.