Poughkeepsie Shines Even Brighter This Chanukah
After a bit of uncertainty as to whether or not the 22-foot-tall menorah was going to return to Poughkeepsie city property. Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino stepped up and collaborated with Chabad Mid-Hudson Valley to bring the first-ever menorah to the front of the Dutchess County Office Building on Market Street before the beginning of the Jewish festival • Full Story
Mid Hudson News
There was uncertainty last week as to whether or not the 22-foot-tall menorah was going to return to city property at the intersection of Main and Market Streets in Poughkeepsie in time for Hanukkah, which began on December 25.
The uncertainty ended when Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino stepped up and collaborated with Rabbi Yacov Borenstein and his wife Hindy of the Chabad Mid-Hudson Valley to bring the first-ever menorah to the front of the Dutchess County Office Building on Market Street before the beginning of the Jewish festival celebrating the recovery of Jerusalem.
For the past several years, the 22-foot-tall menorah, also owned by Chabad Mid-Hudson Valley, has been at the corner of Main and Market Streets for Hanukkah. City officials this year suggested moving the menorah to Waryas Park, where the city’s tree is located but Rabbi Borenstein objected.
While logistics were being worked out with the city, Serino had a smaller menorah placed at the county building. The larger one finally returned to the intersection, resulting in two menorahs being located within 100 yards of each other.
On Monday, Serino, County Clerk Brad Kendall, and others joined Rabbi Borenstein and his wife for a brief ceremony before the electric lights on the menorah were replaced with lanterns, including the Shamash, or raised helper candle with Serino lighting the first candle.
“Through the greatest darkness, we never give up hope,” Hindy Borenstein told those gathered, while awaiting the arrival of her husband, Rabbi Yacov Borenstein. “We always believe that even a little bit of light can illuminate a lot of darkness.”
Rabbi Borenstein called for the attendees to keep sharing the light. “When you have times of darkness,” he said, “especially after what happened on October seventh, and what’s going on in this world today, it’s chaotic – we need to add light.”
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