GRAND ARMY PLAZA — Bishop Robert Brennan joined hundreds of Jewish people at Grand Army Plaza on Dec. 14, the eighth night of Hanukkah, for the final lighting of “Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah.”
The event featured live music, dancing, and gifts for the children as Bishop Brennan stood in solidarity with the Jewish community as antisemitism has risen across the city and country. He was joined by Rabbi Shimon Hecht of Congregation B’nai Jacob in Park Slope and other Jewish leaders within Brooklyn.
“I am so glad to be your neighbor. Again, wishing you many blessings as you celebrate the end of Hanukkah and look ahead to the coming days,” Bishop Brennan said.
Between Oct. 7 and Dec. 7, there were 2,031 antisemitic incidents in the United States, up from 465 incidents a year earlier, according to a report released this week from the Anti-Defamation League, an organization that tracks such hate crimes nationwide.
These incidents include 905 rallies containing antisemitic rhetoric, 749 incidents of verbal or written harassment, 337 incidents of vandalism, and 40 incidents of physical assault, Crux reported.
“I want to assure you of our solidarity with you, especially at this time. Calling for an end to any kind of hatred or antisemitism. Calling for healing for those who are suffering in Israel after these horrendous attacks. Calling for our unity as a community,” Bishop Brennan said.
Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah is 32 feet tall, according to New York City Tourism + Conventions. Since 1985, it has towered over New York City and included a range of entertainment, including an annual concert to kickstart Hanukkah.
A boom lift was required to light the towering menorah, which was done by Sam Zussman, the CEO of BSE Global, the parent company of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. Zussman, an Israeli native, served four years with the Israeli Defense Forces.
For the past six years, the NYPD has been a corporate sponsor of Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah. Detective Mohamed Amen, from the Police Commissioner’s Liaison Unit, was met with rapturous applause as he, a “proud member of the Muslim faith,” wished the crowd Happy Hanukkah and wished peace to everyone.
“May the light of the menorah bring light to everyone and have mercy on all the victims throughout the world,” Amen, a member of the NYPD Muslim Officers Society, said.
For more information on Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah — which stands on par with the menorah lit in Manhattan last week that has been deemed the World’s Largest Menorah by the Guinness World Book of Records — visit largestmenorah.com.
