The Council Chambers at City Hall were transformed on Monday night, December 15, into a space of warmth and Jewish pride, as the New York City Council Jewish Caucus hosted its annual Chanukah celebration. The event marked the largest gathering of its kind since the tradition began during the first year of Speaker Adrienne Adams’ tenure.
Standing-room-only seating filled both the chamber floor and balcony, as families, community leaders, Jewish advocates, and supporters gathered not merely to observe Chanukah, but to experience it together – openly and proudly – in the heart of New York City’s civic life.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the City Council Jewish Caucus, who framed Chanukah as a holiday that calls for public presence. Dinowitz shared that on his way to the event, he asked his children what makes Chanukah unique. Their response, he said, was simple and powerful: The menorah is not meant to be hidden. It is placed where others can see it.
That theme of visibility resonated throughout the evening, particularly against the backdrop of a challenging global moment for Jewish communities.
The program opened with a stirring musical moment as Cantor Daniel Singer led the audience in both the United States National Anthem and HaTikvah.
One of the most moving moments followed with the ceremonial menorah lighting. The blessings were led by Maddie Menin, Jesse Dinowitz, and Alex Dinowitz – children of council members. Their participation underscored the intergenerational responsibility at the heart of Chanukah: passing tradition, strength, and identity forward.
Council Member Julie Menin then presented a proclamation honoring Eric Goldstein, CEO of the UJA Federation of New York. In recognizing his leadership, Menin highlighted Goldstein’s steady guidance through the Covid-19 pandemic, global crises, and a period of rising anti-Semitism. One detail stood out in particular: During the height of the pandemic, Goldstein forwent his own salary to prevent staff layoffs.
In his remarks, Goldstein emphasized that words matter, education matters, and that Jewish pride must be lived openly. He spoke about UJA’s role in strengthening social services, supporting security infrastructure, and sustaining Jewish life across New York at a time when resilience is essential.
The program then shifted to cultural expression with a performance by the Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan, introduced by Council Member Lynn Schulman. Part of a global Israeli youth movement founded in 1919, the Scouts are composed of Israeli teens who tour North America annually, sharing Israeli culture while fostering leadership and Jewish connection. Their vibrant performance blended Hebrew and English song with movement.
The emotional centerpiece of the evening came with the honoring of Shlomo Levinger, a Queens-raised magician and mentalist whose work has gained national recognition while remaining deeply rooted in Jewish identity. Introduced by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, Levinger was recognized not only for his professional success, but for how he uses his craft to build bridges between people.
In his remarks, Levinger spoke candidly about performing in spaces where he may be the only visibly Jewish person – from Major League Baseball locker rooms to corporate settings across the country. Wearing his kippah proudly, he explained how visibility itself becomes meaningful. When people encounter an openly Jewish individual who brings warmth, joy, and connection, it reshapes perceptions long after the performance ends.
Levinger then performed a live illusion that drew participation from across the room. Council members and audience members – many of whom did not know one another – called out random numbers, which were multiplied together live to form an impossibly large final figure. The illusion culminated in a dramatic reveal: The final number had been predicted in advance, sealed inside an envelope before the program even began. Levinger then decoded the number, revealing how it subtly spelled out “NYC Chanukah.”
As the formal program concluded, attendees flowed naturally into the reception that had welcomed them at the start of the evening, and participants were invited to take home sufganiyot.
Sponsored by the UJA Federation of New York and catered by Michael Schick, the City Council Chanukah celebration marked a milestone moment – not only for its size, but for its substance.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
