Westchester Medal to the Rebbe

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

The Menorah lighting ceremony at the headquarters of Westchester County government were a crowning touch to the more than twenty Chabad Lubavitch Public Menorah displays throughout Westchester County including Westchester’s largest Menorah, 30 feet tall, located at the JCC in Scarsdale.

On the morning of the second day of Chanukah, the 8 Shluchim of Westchester County, New York celebrated a Menorah lighting ceremony with Westchester’s highest ranking government official, County Executive Mr. Robert P. Astorino.

The prominent delegation of Shluchim included Rabbi Yosef Y. Butman of Armonk –Chappaqua-Pleasantville, Rabbi Sruli Deitsch of Bronxville -Mount Vernon, 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, led by Westchester’s head Shliach Rabbi Velvl Butman.

The Shluchim were invited to continue a long-standing tradition of a Chabad Lubavitch Chanukah reception at the executive chamber, joining together for a Menorah lighting ceremony with County Executive 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.

The Shluchim presented County Executive Astorino with a Pushka 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 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 explained 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.

Honoring The Rebbe

County Executive Astorino honored the Rebbe with Westchester’s Medal of Honor for Distinguished Service.

The gold framed Award reads:

“In honor of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in recognition of his outstanding and enduring leadership and contributions toward world education, morality, faith, creating four thousand Chabad House centers around the globe and inspiring humanity to prepare and hasten the coming of Moshiach by doing additional acts of goodness and kindness.”

The Chanukah celebration culminated with the Shluchim singing and dancing with County Executive Astorino who enjoyed playing Dreidel and thanked each of the Shluchim for the visit, expressing his appreciation for honoring him with such a prominent delegation.

Westchester’s Largest Menorah

Tuesday night, the fourth night of Chanukah, in front of the Jewish Community Center of Mid Westchester in Scarsdale, County Executive Astorino lit Westchester’s largest Menorah, 30 feet tall, continuing an annual tradition. The menorah is lit with the graciousness of Con Edison who always provides a Cherry Picker.

Westchester Mall Menorah

A new addition this year to the Westchester Chanukah activities was the public Menorah display at the county’s most prominent shopping mall in White Plains, The Westchester.

The Menorah proudly stands at the main entrance of the mall and is seen by thousands of shoppers daily.