Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad Center Lights Jelly Bean Menorah

Annual event at Merrick Road Park draws a crowd for an afternoon of activities to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Click here for original article by the Merrick Patch  

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life held its annual Chanukah Wonderland Sunday afternoon, culminating with the lighting of a massive jelly bean menorah. 

Children painted wooden dreidels, decorated doughnuts and made Chanukah sand art, among many other activities set up in the clubhouse of Merrick Road Park.  

The highlight, though, was the unique candy-filled menorah. Children took turns climbing up a step stool and pouring jelly beans into the plastic tubes forming the arms of the menorah.  

Just before Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano lit the first candle on the menorah, Rabbi Shimon Kramer offered a few words on the meaning of the holiday. 

"Let's take the candle we have within us," he said, "let's take that spark that we have in us and inspire our family and friends to do good."

County Legis. Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, and Hempstead Town Councilwoman Angie Cullin, R-Freeport, were also in attendance. 

Following the lighting of the jelly bean menorah, two limos led a menorah car parade down Merrick Road to Camman's Pond Park, where a crowd gathered to watch the lighting of an 8-foot menorah. 

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