Naghi lights up Chabad at Riverwalk event
Chabad Lubavitch of Louisiana held its annual Chanukah at the Riverwalk event on December 6 with music and a laser video show to the delight of the approximate 200 people assembled there.
Benny Naghi lights the first of the lights for Chanukah at the Chanukah at the Riverwalk event. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Benny Naghi, the owner of Mardi Gras Zone and one of the sponsors for the event, held center stage as he climbed aboard a ladder to light the largest menorah in the state on the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Roselle Ungar, the executive director of Jewish Family Service, served as emcee for the event organized by Chabad Lubavitch for more than 25 years. She also acknowledged other sponsors for the night including the Outlet at Riverwalk shops, First NBC bank, TaxiCabApp by Carriage Group, Lakeside Toyota and community benefactors Cathy and Morris Bart.
Chabad members including shaliah (emissary) Bluma Rivkin passed out healthy portions of hand made latkes, while Kosher Cajun Delicatessen provided sandwiches and drinks to patrons.
Emcee Roselle Ungar, right, with Mr. Dreidel. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Henry Miller represented Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, while others like Morris Bart and a representative for Outlet at Riverwalk also thanked everyone for coming.
Rabbi Zelig Rivkin used the opportunity to talk about the incentive of lighting candles at Chanukah, serving as living torches for the world.
A children’s tent had plenty of activities for the kids and Mr. Dreidel, a character resembling a traditional spinning top spun during the holiday, entertained kids and passed out kosher treats.
Bradley Bain, the president of Congregation Beth Israel, was called upon to recite the three traditional Hebrew blessings over the lighting of the candles for the first night.
The laser video show was used to illuminate the side of the Outlet at Riverwalk twice during the night, once before the lighting of the menorah and following the ceremony.
