With the first evening of Hanukkah on Wednesday, December 25th, New York has geared up for the eight-night celebration by setting up the largest menorah in the world (Guinness World Records even said so)!
Manhattan’s 36-ft menorah will be lit up once again…but we’re still waiting to find out exactly where. In year past, the massive icon has been displayed outside the east entrance of Central Park, but this year it’s still TBA. The tradition dates back to the mid-70s when Rabbi Shmuel Butman erected the first historical menorah that still stands on Fifth Avenue today.
In years past, the menorah weighed in at 4,000 pounds; this annual menorah isn’t just gigantic but very heavy!
For years, Manhattan and Brooklyn have battled for the title of the world’s largest menorah. According to Central Park, the competition first sparked in 1984 when Rabbi Shimon Hecht brought a similar menorah to Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza. However, Manhattan’s menorah maintains the title as the ‘world’s largest’ after being certified by Guinness World Records.
What we do know is that lightings will occur each night of Hanukkah in both Manhattan (at 5:30 p.m. most evenings) and Brooklyn (at 6 p.m. most evenings). According to the Chabad of Park Slope, each lighting in Brooklyn involves hot latkes, gifts for children, and live music! Likewise, the Manhattan lightings typically have Chassidic dancing and live music thanks to the Lubavitch Youth Organization.
“Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the Jewish people’s remarkable deliverance from those who wished them harm, ” said Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization, reports ABC 7. “When faced with darkness, this menorah serves as a symbol of New York City’s dedication to persevering and celebrating all its citizens as they are. And this year, we’re shining that great symbol ever so bright.”
Lighting Schedule for 2024 (nights):
- December 25th
- December 26th
- December 27th
- December 28th
- December 29th
- December 30th
- December 31st
- January 1st
TBA
December 25th – January 2nd