World's Largest Chanukah Menorah to be Lit in New York City

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lubavitch Youth Organization will ignite a public 36 foot menorah at 5th Avenue and 59th Street, at Central Park, followed by a community-wide celebration. The event will take place on all eight nights of Chanukah, which starts on Saturday evening December 24th.

• WHAT: 5th Ave. Menorah Lighting

• WHEN: Starting December 24, 2016 at 8:00pm

• WHERE: 5th Avenue and 59th Street, at Central Park (click here for map).

The menorah is 36 feet (the lights reaching 32 feet, the most permissible by Jewish law, and the Shamash, the middle light, extends another four feet). The mammoth gold colored menorah weighs in at four thousand pounds and is 36 feet tall and 28 feet wide. Public menorah lightings have been taking place at NYC's Grand Army Plaza, at Central Park, near the Plaza Hotel since 1977 and ever since 1986, when the current menorah was constructed, it was lit on the site.

In addition to being the largest, the menorah has seen a long line of dignitaries who have lit it over the past 39 years, including every New York City mayor since Abraham Beame (Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudolph Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg and Bill De Blasio), as well as  NY Governors Mario Cuomo, George Pataki and David Paterson, United States Senators Jacob Javits and Charles Schumer.

Following the menorah lighting ceremony, hundreds will dance, sing and celebrate with traditional Chanukah refreshments.

The menorah was designed by Israeli sculptor and artist Yaacov Agam. In 2006, Guinness World Records certified the 4,000 pound menorah as the largest menorah in the world.

Additionally, this menorah has the unique distinction that it was standing on the Rebbe's desk, in miniature, for three days. It is only after the Rebbe approved its design and form, that the menorah was built to its dimensions.

The public menorah lighting is organized by Lubavitch Youth Organization. Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director, Lubavitch Youth Organization, remarked, "the menorah stands as a symbol delivering a timely and poignant message of freedom, strength and inspiration. It serves as a symbol of NYC's dedication to preserve and encourages all citizens to practice their faith, worshiping G-d freely, openly and with pride."

On Monday evening, December 26th, the Grand Menorah Parade of over 300 Menorah vehicles –including 40 RV Motor Homes-- will take place. The Parade will leave Lubavitch World Headquarters at 5:00 PM and will pass by the World's Largest Chanukah Menorah at, approximately, 6:30 PM.

This year brings added significance as American Jewry marks 75 years since the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, came to America and laid the groundwork for the worldwide Chanukah campaign that he set into motion in 1973.

EVERY NIGHT: Hot latkes, Chanukah donuts, music, dreidels and Chanukah gifts for children.

Event Schedule:

Saturday, December 24th - 8:30 PM
Sunday, December 25th - 5:30 PM
Monday, December 26th - 5:30 PM
Tuesday, December 27th - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, December 28th - 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 29th - 5:30 PM
Friday, December 30th - 3:30 PM
Saturday, December 31st - 8:30 PM

CONTACT: Levi Pinson
l[email protected] 
mobile: 347-893-2168

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SOURCE Lubavitch Youth Organization