Lighting of the menorah a joyous celebration in Northport Village
A crowd gathered to celebrate the Jewish Festival of the Lights with East Northport Jewish Center Rabbi Ian Silverman yesterday evening in Northport Village.
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Rabbi Ian Silverman and Cantor Steven Walvick joined parishioners from the East Northport Jewish Center and other local supporters of the congregation for “Chanukah at the Harbor” yesterday evening, an annual tradition that celebrates the Jewish Festival of Lights with song, prayer and plenty of joy.
Huntington town councilman-elect Dr. Dave Bennardo called the parishioners “family” and joined in on the festivities, which included the lighting of the menorah and a combination of traditional and cleverly parodied songs like “Greased Latkes” (sung to "Grease Lightning," words by the cantor himself).
The event ended with a slightly adapted version of Tom Lehrer’s “Hanukkah by the Sea,” sung by Cantor Walvick and Rabbi Silverman. It ended with this special added verse:
I’m trying harder in Northport Harbor
I’m looking out at seagulls screaming at the sea
I’ll do a hora by this menorah
As we gaze upon the twilight reverie
These eastern winters, they sure can freeze us
The snippy wind and sleet and snow can sometimes really tease us
But this December, this is the place for me
To light these bulbs of the menorah burning bright like the aurora
It’s a symbol of out torah and happiness in stor-a
For every person and every family that you see…
The East Northport Jewish Center will be hosting a Chanukah party this Sunday, December 5, at 2:30pm. The outdoor celebration, with latkes, sufganiyot, s’mores and hot cocoa, is BYOM (bring your own menorah) and will include music, dreidel games and more. Donations will be accepted. Bring family, friends and a food donation.
