COJO, Staten Island Shomrim and Chabad Spark up Staten Island Mall with a Menorah Lighting that is Leading the Way for a Better and Brighter Tomorrow

On December 13, 2020, the 4^th night of Chanukah, the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) in partnership with Chabad of Staten Island sparked up the Staten Island Mall for the 45^th time with their Annul Menorah Lighting.

Rabbi Moshe Katzman, Rebbetzin Chana Katzman and Rabbi Mendy Katzman from Chabad Staten Island understood the need to uplift the spirits of the community and felt a sense of responsibility to make certain that the Menorah Lighting at the Staten Island Mall continues  again for the 45^th consecutive year in a row. Rabbi Moshe Katzman cleverly devised a safe social distance plan where several hundred cars drove through and received packages of closed Chanukah treats comprising of donuts/Sufganeyot, Chanukah Draydels/Chocolate coins, Menorahs and other celebratory treats. After driving through and picking up the Chanukah goodies several hundred cars parked along a few rows in the Mall’s parking lot and from the cars they watched the lighting of the 4^th candle of the Menorah. After the Menorah lighting, there was a wonderful fire show, magic show and a Torah trivia game. Participants from the cars were able to virtually and safely communicate with their smart phones and computer devices. By doing so, the event became a showcase how Chanukah family cheer was enjoyed with proper social distancing in a responsible, safe, exciting, and joyful  way.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, President of the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations and Executive Vice-President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim (RAA/IGUD) and Ari Weiss, Security Chairman of COJO, and coordinator of Staten Island Shomrim were honored with lighting the Menorah.  

Rabbi Mirocznik, “thanked Jim Easley, Senior Mall Manager of the Staten Island Mall for his kindness for once again opening the Mall for the 45^th Annual Menorah Lighting and for working with Rabbi Moshe Katzman on developing, devising and implementing a safe and proper way to celebrate Chanukah during Covid. Thanks to Mr. Easley’s warm hart and Rabbi Katzman vision we once again had a festive Chanukah experience at the Staten Island Mall.” 

Rabbi Mirocznik continued, “words of appreciation cannot justly thank Rabbi Moshe Katzman, Rebbetzin Chana Katzman, Rabbi Mendy Katzman and Chabad of Staten Island for uplifting the spirt of the Community. The pandemic has taken a hard toll on everyone and we fear for our children and elderly the most. By devising such a wonderful safe memorable event we gave a sense of hope that with the Al-might’s help only and with His abundance of Mercy and Love this world will soon see an end to the horrors of the pandemic. It is great people such as the Rabbi Moshe Katzman’s family and the spiritual blessings of Chabad that will help us overcome and get safely to the end of the tunnel. This Mall Menorah lighting has sparked in our hearts a spirt of hope that we approaching soon the dawn of a new day of being virus free. Our prayer is that we should return next year once again and enjoy the 46^th Annual Grand Menorah lighting healthy with a cured world full of optimism, joy and hope. Thank you, Rabbi Moshe Katzman and family and Chabad you truly give us, that hope, that clear light at the end of the tunnel and the strength and fortitude to persevere to that finish line.”