By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
Rabbi Schneur Wilhelm of Chabad of Milford-Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont was joined on the West Haven Green by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah on Monday.
Wilhelm led an assembly of West Haven leaders and residents in a blessing before lighting the menorah with Rossi on the Main Street side of the downtown park.
The lighting marked day two of the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, a commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians.
The annual ceremony featured lively performances of Jewish folk music by Nu Haven Kapelye. The popular local klezmer band — New England’s largest — is composed of violin, clarinet, mandolin, accordion, double bass, trombone and saxophone players and an accompanying Yiddish vocalist.
Wilhelm’s wife, Chanie, gave out light-up menorah necklaces, and members of ArtsWest CT gave out chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, known as Hanukkah gelt.
Also attending the event were state Rep. Treneé McGee (D-116) City Council members Robbin Watt Hamilto, (D-5) and Victor M. Borras (D-8), City Clerk Patrick C. Horvath, and Planning and Zoning Commissioner Steven R. Mullins.
Where was a contingency of Jewish members that live in West Haven present at these festivities….
The Rabbi was from Woodmont, Milford, his wife from Milford, a woman from Woodbridge and the
band from New Haven…..
Where was the WH Jewish community in this celebration ??????