Chanukah Celebration 5786 Downtown Fort Myers Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida

Heather Anderson, it's an honor to be down here downtown Fort Meyers. The mayor is gracing us with his presence and he has something very meaningful he wants to read for us. >> Thank you. This is a city of Fort Myers proclamation. Whereas the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the festival of lights, commemorates the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago following the remarkable victory of the Mcabes who stood for faith, freedom, and perseverance. And whereas Hanukkah celebrates the enduring miracle in which a single day supply of pure oil burns for eight days symbol symbolizing unwavering hope, resilience and a triumph of the spiritual light over darkness. And whereas the manora an ancient and universally recognized symbol represents the victory of good over adversity, unity over division, and the enduring power of light in every generation. And whereas Chabbad Lupit, yeah, excuse me, of Southwest Florida under the dedicated leadership of Rabbi Yitsk and Shennai Minkowitz has faith faithfully served the residents of Fort Myers by promoting Jewish education, culture, and tradition, and by inspiring acts of kindness, unity, and community engagement among people of all backgrounds. And whereas through the efforts of Shapad Rupovich and the Minkowitz family, the city of Fort Myers will proudly and historically host a public Hanukkah Monora on the official city property for the first time ever located at Common Ground Pocket Park in downtown Fort Myers. AND WHEREAS [cheering] [applause] whereas this public monora will shine for eight nights from December 14th through December 22nd, 2025, serving as a beacon of hope and a celebration of religious freedom, diversity, and a shared values that strengthen the city of Fort Myers. And whereas the grand eighth night um monora lighting held on December 21st, 2025 at 4 p.m. will unite residents, families, dignitaries, and community leaders for an uplifting celebration of a joy, unity, and a universal message that even a small light can brighten the world. Now therefore, I Kevin B. Anderson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Fort Myers, Florida, do hereby proclaim December 14 through 22, 2025 as Hanukkah, the festival of lights week in the city of Fort Myers, and encourage all residents to celebrate the values of hope, faith, perseverance that Hanukkah brings to our community and to the world. In witness thereof, I have here unto set my hand in the great seal of the city of Fort Myers, Florida on this 21st day of December in the year of our Lord 2025. [cheering and applause] >> May the light of all eight candles bring blessing, peace, strength, and unity to our city, to our nation, and to the entire world. And together we'll say happy >> Kaneka. >> Happy >> Hanukkah. Okay, so we are now going to go over to the actually the mo the most important part we're waiting for which is actually lighting the monora. So since tonight is the eighth light of Kaneka, we want to add a lot of light. So we're going to ask Dr. Rubenstein to recite the two blessings. Then we're going to give the honor to um the mayor the fire chief and Dr. Longite the shamish. foreign. >> Dr. Rubenstein's going to light the first candle. The newest candle. >> Yeah, the newest candle all the way to the left. Um, Dr. The dates will like the second one. That's the next one. >> That's the seagull. >> Round of applause. [applause] Beautiful. I try to do it every day. Next candle I want to give to Andrew Cohen is very involved in bringing Judaism to Southwest Florida. >> Andrew, >> I would like to introduce the one and only Rabbi Mikitz. [cheering] [applause] >> We love the Rabbi. We love the rabbi. >> WE LOVE THE RABBI. >> WE love the rabbi. >> Everyone ready? >> Yeah. [applause] We're going to bring her to the to the event. We're going to sing her name is the rabbi the all the rabbi the young rabbis are going to dance for us join in >> all the rabbis I Hey no mama. [singing] [singing] King all the sh [singing] I am in my hand. You never it down. is made under God. There is all the highle Yes. I got a picture. We want >> beautiful. Beautiful. >> You didn't realize I thought you're like, "What's this?" >> Told you it was smooth. Smooth. >> Really smooth. >> This is a present for the fire chief to bring to all the firefighters. Enjoy. Thank you. >> This is for you guys watching over. >> Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. >> You want you want to be awesome? >> Sorry. Okay. Good. Perfect. >> Thank you. >> Hopefully we'll see you in class one day. >> All right. Thank you. >> That's awesome. Thank you guys. Nobody even knows that over there. I got my my [music] you know what you know [music] She's actually [music] [music] [singing] [music] Good. [music] I came to [music] You don't know what to get. Thanks. Please. >> Very nice. Very nice. >> [music] >> You know, [music] you know who