Bloomberg’s Last Chanukah Party

The Yeshiva World and COLlive
Photos, Video: Itzik Roytman

Mayor Michael Bloomberg hosted his final Chanukah Party as mayor of New York City at the Jewish Heritage Museum Monday evening, and as such he combined the three occasions – Chanukah, Thanksgiving and the end of his 3rd term as mayor to reflect on his legacy, leaving the next mayor a safer and healthier City.

“I don’t know if I will be back here next year,” said Bloomberg, who is ending his term as Mayor at the end of the year. “I will come…but I don’t know if I will be invited back. They forget very quickly around here,” he joked.

“Chanukah is a holiday where we give thanks to the everyday miracles in our lives,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “And it may not be a one day supply of oil lasting for eight days, but we can give thanks for a safer City. We can give thanks for a healthier City – a City where people are living longer and our air and water is cleaner than it has ever been, and we can give thanks for a hopeful City, a city where even in the toughest times continues to dream big and believe in the best.”

Bloomberg also said he’s looking forward to visiting Israel next spring to accept the $1 million Genesis Prize at a special ceremony in Jerusalem by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “For some reason that nobody can figure out — at least I can’t — I will be honored to receive the first Genesis Prize,” Mr. Bloomberg said in a humble manner.

As the prize might not impress Mr. Bloomberg, whose fortune is estimated as $40B, he told the crowd he had told the Prime Minister of his intention to use the $1 million “to promote commerce between the people in Palestine and the people in Israel.”

“We have to find some way that everybody can get along in that space or it won’t end nicely for anybody,” he said.

Following the Mayor’s brief remarks, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik was called up to light the shames — which Bloomberg called “shema” — and to lead the brochos. Mr. Bloomberg mumbled along the blessings recited before lighting two candles of 6 and sang along ‘Maoz Tzur’ transcribed in the iPad he so dearly held on to.

Attending from Crown Heights were Chanina Sperlin – Governmental Liaison for the Jewish Community Council, Devorah Halberstam – Director of Foundation and Government Services for the Jewish Children’s Museum, Eli Slavin – Community Liaison for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Publisher and CEO of COLlive.com Mica Soffer and Yossi Soffer of Unique Advertising Group and political activists Avi Lesches and Yaakov Behrman of JFA.

VIDEO:

Mayor Bloomberg’s remarks

Menorah Lighting