By: Fern Sidman

PHOTO: Karen Harrington, left with Mrs. Baila Gansburg, director of the South Florida Jewish Academy

Chanukah was celebrated in grand style in the Sunshine State, as a veritable panoply of community leaders, an array of top tier Jewish performers and 13,000 people gathered for the 32nd annual South Florida Chanukah Festival. Sponsored by Chabad-Lubavitch of South Broward County, the event which was held on the 7th night of Chanukah, featured the very best in Jewish music, food and cultural traditions.

Organizers termed this year’s event as “bigger and better than ever,” since more than 10,000 people have attended annually since the event was moved to Florida’s Gulfstream Park racetrack in 2007. Prior to the commencement of the festival, a 100 car menorah parade, sponsored by the Florida Friends of Lubavitch, was held; starting out at the Yeshivah Gedolah of Greater Miami.

The festival which is always free to the public featured a very special concert featuring renowned Jewish singer Benny Friedman, whose debut album “Taamu” was released in 2009. Also appearing was Nosson Zand, whose hard-hitting blend of hip hop and pop has been a favorite amongst teens across the US, Europe and Israel. The twin Chasidic acrobats from France were also on hand as they pleased the crowd with their extraordinary acts of physical dexterity.

Capping off the evening was the kindling of Florida’s largest menorah; led by Rabbi Yossi Lebovics of Lubavitch who was surrounded by community leaders and dignitaries from all parts of the state. Among those present at the menorah lighting was GOP Congressional candidate Karen Harrington, who has gone on record as a stalwart supporter of Israel and Jewish causes. “It was a privilege to share once again in the rich traditions of our Jewish friends and neighbors. Attending the Festival of Lights on the seventh day of Chanukah was both an exciting and spiritual event. Having lived here in South Florida for over forty years, I know first hand how important the Jewish faith is and the ability to honor that faith in a free and secure nation,” she stated after the event. She added that, “I believe bringing together thousands of people of the Jewish faith on this most special occasion, reassures the community on how strong their committment is to family and faith.”