The Sunday before Chanukah was a very busy day for the Jewish community in West Hempstead. For the local Chabad, the preceding Shabbos was Yud-Tes Kislev, a farbrengen commemorating the passing of Rav Dovber, the Maggid of Mezeritch, in 1772. He was a talmid of the Baal Shem Tov and the teacher of Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founding rebbe of Chabad chasidus.
On the evening after Shabbos ended, Bais Torah U’Tefilah had a Chanukah cookie cake workshop led by confection maker Goldie Sebrow. Her monograms and edible artworks have become a popular staple at simchos, where cakes and pastries feature the Far Rockaway resident’s designs.
On Sunday morning, Chabad of West Hempstead teamed up with the Home Depot store in Hempstead for a menorah making workshop for children. For a shul with a history of creative events, this one was unprecedented. Amid aisles decorated with winter holiday displays and seasonal music playing, there was one aisle where Rabbi Yossi and Chaya Rochel Lieberman welcomed families with a Chanukah message. Children put on miniature Home Depot aprons and made menorahs using materials provided by the store.
Rabbi Lieberman noted that Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus, who died earlier this year, was a prolific giver to Jewish causes, including the Chabad in Atlanta, his hometown. One of the Liebermans’ children was dressed in an oversized dreidel costume. “You’ll have to guess which one of my children it is,” Rabbi Lieberman quipped.
The Young Israel of West Hempstead rented out the auditorium of George Washington Elementary School, with support from school board member Burt Blass, for a magic show by Nussi Friedman. Nearly 300 people attended the event, which began with fast-paced tricks that kept everyone’s attention. He juggled, rode a unicycle and a miniature bike, brought audience members on stage, and then dimmed the lights as he put on a glowing suit that highlighted the Monsey-based magician’s balancing skills. The show felt worthy of Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden, with the comfort of it taking place close to home.
The weekend concluded at the HANC ECC building, where Chabad held its annual kumsitz concert with Zusha, the duo that blends electronic music with spiritual lyrics, which was formed in 2013. Its founders Shlomo Gaisin and Zachariah Goldschmiedt met at the Chabad House at New York University, and in the following decade brought their musical talents to numerous holiday celebrations, Jewish festivals, concerts, and inspirational events. Their wordless niggunim with a guitar are reminiscent of Shlomo Carlebach with elements of Chabad and Breslov. Their namesake, Rev Zusha of Anipoli, speaks of authenticity and modesty, connecting to Hashem with simple messages that speak to the soul.
With so much talent shown within a 48-hour period, the West Hempstead community is blessed to experience multiple ways of preparing for Chanukah, publicizing the miracles that enabled our people to live freely as Jews.
By Sergey Kadinsky
