On Tuesday, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul hosted a special Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony at the New York State Executive Mansion. The event, held as part of the Governor’s pre-Chanukah celebrations, brought together leaders and members of the Jewish community from across the state.
The ceremony saw notable attendance from Rockland County. Among those present were Town of Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht, New Square Mayor Izzy Spitzer, Elya Pinkasovits, Mayor of the Village of Kaser, Yisroel Eisenbach, Trustee of Spring Valley, Chaim Rose, Deputy Mayor of Chestnut Ridge, Former Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal, and Mark Svensson. Other attendees included Hershel Horowitz, Community Outreach Director, as well as community askonim Yehuda Zorger and Simcha Bernath. Mordy Becker, a board member of the Jewish Federation of Rockland County, also joined the celebration.
Governor Hochul used the occasion to emphasize the themes of Chanukah, speaking about the holiday’s significance as a celebration of light and resilience. She highlighted the importance of unity and inclusivity, values that resonate deeply during the holiday season. The event provided an opportunity for leaders from various communities to connect and reflect on the shared values of hope and perseverance that Chanukah represents.
