NYC Residents Celebrate First Night Of Chanukah

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The Festival of Lights has begun and celebrations were held all across the globe to mark the Jewish holiday.

As CBS 2′s Dave Carlin reported Wednesday, a Chanukah celebration was held outside the site of Brooklyn’s largest menorah, which stands at 32 feet tall.

The menorah has towered over Grand Army Plaza since 1985.

The festivities kicked off with speeches, followed by the lighting of the middle candle by Rabbi Shimon Hecht with the help of a Con Edison cherry-picker.

Each night the celebration is accompanied by live music and hot latkes for all, Carlin reported.  Special gifts are also distributed to every child who attends.

  

Organizers say this special holiday and Thanksgiving, which falls on the first full day of Chanukah Thursday, share the same ideals of family, friendship and giving back.