Chanukah at the Port Washington LIRR station, an annual event sponsored by Chabad of Port Washington, is the most widely attended Chanukah celebration on Long Island. As many as 1,000 people have participated in this celebration in years past. Many Jews and non-Jews throughout the North Shore area have made this event a family tradition.
The Schreiber High School Tri M Musicians will play some holiday songs, adding to the joy of the ceremony.
A giant, 14-foot Menorah will be erected at the site. Beginning at 3 p.m., holiday festivities will include live music, a fire juggler, distribution of Chanukah gifts and hot Chanukah “latkes” (traditional holiday delicacies), jelly donuts, and gelt.
Dignitaries and community leaders will be on hand to greet the crowd. Starbucks of Port Washington will be donating hot coffee. EmbroidMe of Williston Park has donated event themed scarves to the first 200 participants.
New this year will be a Mega Gelt Drop! With the assistance from the Port Washington Fire Department, nearly 3,000 chocolate gelt coins will “rain” down on the gathered crowd.
The event will pay special tribute and offer a memorial prayer honoring the Jews killed in the Pittsburgh massacre.
The event is dedicated in memory of Beverly Hazelkorn by her beloved husband Steven. Their grandchildren will light the menorah. Beverly was a much-loved, larger-than-life personality in the local community. She is greatly missed by all whose lives crossed with hers.
“Beverly was a bright sunshine person,” says Rabbi Paltiel of Chabad PW. “I think of her as the ‘Annie of Port Washington’, full of joy and vigor. She was ‘high on life’. It is very appropriate that her life is honored at an event which ushers in the ‘Festival of Light’ to our community.”
Chabad PW is also placing large Menorahs at the following locations: the corner Main Street and Shore Road; Manorhaven Village Hall; the front lawn of Chabad on Shore Road on the corner of Port Washington and Northern Blvds.; and in Stop ‘n Shop and and North Shore Farms in Port Washington and King Kullen Manhasset.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 2 and concludes the evening of Monday, Dec. 10.
For more information, contact Chabad at 516-767-8672, info@chabadpw.org or by visiting chabadpw.org.
