Belle Harbor Jewish Community Celebrates Chanukah With Light, Joy and Strength

Families filled the Belle Harbor Chai Center on Tuesday, December 16, for an evening of warmth, laughter, and celebration as the community came together to mark the third night of Chanukah.

Children proudly showed off their handmade beanies, enjoyed a lively magic show by Magic Mehl, and waved light-up wands that added a festive glow to the evening’s outdoor menorah lighting. With fresh latkes, Chanukah donuts, music, and dancing, the celebration reflected the joy and togetherness that define the holi­day.

As the evening unfolded, Rabbi Levi Osdoba, director of the Belle Harbor Chai Center, shared a message in response to the recent tragedy in Sydney, where a Chanukah gathering was targeted and lives were lost, with many others injured. He spoke about Chanukah not only as a celebration of the past, but as a guide for the present.

“We are not celebrating Chanukah despite the tragedy, but in reaction to it,” Rabbi Osdoba said. “Chanukah commemorates a time when the Greeks also sought to extinguish the flame of Judaism. They desecrated the Holy Temple and defiled the oil. The Jews fought back, won the war, and were able to once again kindle the Menorah in the Temple. That is what Chanukah is all about, continuing to ignite the flame of Judaism even in the darkest moments.”

He emphasized that the response to darkness must be an increase in light. Each act of kindness, each moment of courage, and each mitzvah we perform further illuminates the world.

The evening concluded with the communal lighting of the menorah and spirited dancing, as families stood together, illuminated not only by the candles, but by a shared sense of purpose and resilience.

For over two decades, the Belle Harbor Chai Center, led by Rabbi Osdoba and his wife Lea, has been a hub for Jewish life in the neighborhood, offering educational programs, holiday celebrations, volunteer opportunities, and community events for all ages.

The Chai Center is there to serve everyone in the community. No affiliation or membership is necessary. For more information, visit www.belleharborchai.com or email info@belleharborchai.com.