Edited by: TJVNews.com
On Monday, November 29, 2021, New York’s elected officials, musicians, community leaders, other special guests, and thousands of New Yorkers gathered in Times Square to generate awareness of the rise of antisemitism at the Shine A Light menorah lighting organized by JCRC-NY and UJA-Federation of New York, together with ADL New York/New Jersey, AJC New York, and the New York Board of Rabbis.
The event was hosted by Eboni K. Williams, attorney, journalist and star of Real Housewives of New York, and featured special performances by the Maccabeats, David Broza, and the Christian Cultural Center Choir, and a surprise set by Matisyahu, as well as synchronized displays on Times Square’s billboards to celebrate the second night of Chanukah.
“On the second night of Chanukah, how appropriate that one candle was lit by a survivor of the Holocaust, and the other candle was lit by the victim of a vicious antisemitic attack mere months ago, just a few blocks from where we are standing,” said Gideon Taylor, JCRC-NY CEO and Executive VP. “What greater reminder could there be from these individuals that we must stand up together against hate, here in this iconic location and everywhere, on this symbolic holiday and every day.”
“Chanukah is all about the miracle overcoming great odds and pointless hate,” said Cheryl Fishbein, JCRC-NY President. “Our society today is being challenged by the forces of hate, and we are so grateful that our elected officials and fellow New Yorkers are standing with us as we together shine our light against hate.”
“As the governor of the great state of New York, there is no hate in this state,:” said NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul. “We will “Shine A Light” and stamp it out.”
“No more hate as long as we stand shoulder to shoulder … as an African American woman, I stand with the Jewish community now and forever,” said NYS Attorney General Letitia James. “Chanukah is about the triumph of light over darkness, and we all have a duty to come together and put an end to the darkness of antisemitism for good.”
Lighting one of the candles was Joseph Borgen, a victim of a violent antisemitic attack last May which took place only a few blocks from Times Square, who said, “The attack on me was no isolated incident. From deadly attacks in Pittsburgh to Poway to Jersey City —to Nazi symbolism and vicious anti-Israel hate on campus — antisemitism is increasing to record levels. We’re here today — together with tens of thousands of people across the country — to shine a light on antisemitism — and the miracle light of Chanukah, the light that says Jews will not stand by.”
Lighting the second candle were Holocaust survivors Jehuda and Leah Evron. Jehuda Evron was born in Iasi, Romania in 1931. In 1941, Iasi’s Jewish community suffered through a terrible pogrom, where over 12,000 Jews were murdered, including Jehuda’s two uncles and a cousin. The Jews were forced to wear yellow stars and were often beaten by antisemitic boys. Lea Evron’s family is from Zywiec, Poland. More than 60 people in her family, including her father and her sister, were murdered during the Holocaust. Today, the Evrons live here in New York and have children and grandchildren.
