World’s Largest Chanukah Menorah Brightens New York City

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Menachem Wiliams, Sholem Srugo

In a year in which New York has lost over 30,000 lives to the devastating pandemic, Lubavitch Youth Organization are remembering those who have passed and are sharing a message of hope and healing with the lighting of the world’s largest menorah on Fifth Avenue.

The towering 36-foot menorah—certified by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest—will take its traditional place on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, right outside of the Plaza Hotel.

The World’s Largest Menorah stands as a beacon of light and hope in a time when it’s needed most–amid the bleak reality of the prospect of a second wave and renewed lockdowns. Bright LED rope lights running the length of all eight branches honor the victims of the pandemic and bring more light into the world, just as they did with their lives.

The World’s Largest Menorah was designed by world-renowned artist Yaacov Agam who designed the menorah according to a hand drawing of the Rambam (Maimonides) of the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash in which the menorah has vertical bars. Agam testified that the Rebbe personally instructed him that this menorah should be the world’s largest.

Also, Yossi Ciahanover, the famed Israeli diplomat who had been given many missions by the Rebbe, testified that the Rebbe instructed him that this menorah should be the world’s largest.

This year, Ron Agam, son of Yaacov Agam and a famous artist himself, lit the Menorah.

The Lubavitch Youth Organization encouraged constantly the wearing of masks at the lighting of the Menorah. “We want you, and your neighbors, to have a happy and a healthy Chanukah,” said Rabbi Shmuel Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization.

At the lighting of the Fourth Candle, Rabbi Butman said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing, on Shabbos morning, of our distinguished Board member Rabbi Chaim Meir Lieberman OBM. Rabbi Lieberman will continue to live in the lives of his children, his friends, and the Organization he worked with so tirelessly and selflessly.”

The World’s Largest Menorah was widely covered by the national and international print and electronic media. While the events are more limited–with distancing and masks–than years past for in-person attendance, its message of hope and light stand tall and bright through the Pirsumei Nisso” – “Publicizing the Miracle” for the many thousands passing and the hundreds of millions watching at home.