On a clear night in Greenport’s village center, shul members, guests and villagers gathered in Mitchell Park to light the public menorah, sited a few feet from the village Christmas tree as a sign of ecumenism. Rabbi Gadi led the crowd in reciting the blessings before illuminating the menorah on the 5th night of the 8-night observance.

Following the ceremony, all walked two blocks west to the synagogue on Fourth Street for Hanukkah latkes and jelly donuts (foods fried in oil) that remind us of the miracle of the small cruse of oil that burned for eight days.

Music by Ron Rothman, Dave Berson and friends, and lots of socializing capped a fun-filled celebration, chaired by Adrianne Greenberg, with assistance from Sara Bloom, Suri Lan-Brown, Francis DuBois, Roberta Garris, Miriam Gabriel, Paul Jesselsohn, Joanna Paulsen, and Madelyn Rothman. In the park, Hanukkah  candles and Christmas lights lit up the sky throughout the holiday season.

SMBloom photos