Chabad of South Brunswick Lights Grand Menorah at Ground Zero

On the Eighth night of Chanukah, The Port Authority of NY & NJ and the Port Authority Shomrim Society held a Grand Menorah Lighting in the World Trade Center at Ground Zero.

Rabbi Mendy Carlebach – Chabad of North & South Brunswick, NJ & Chaplain of the Port Authority Police Department together with Port Authority Sergeant Scot Pomerantz  - President of the Shomrim Society made all the necessary arrangements by obtaining the approvals from the leadership of the Port Authority of NY & NJ.

The Dept. Executive Director of the Port Authority Bill Baroni has worked with Rabbi Carlebach for many years, as well as having attended every Menorah lighting in South Brunswick as State Assemblyman and Senator of the district. Dept. Executive Director Baroni was supportive in all the efforts in rededicating a new menorah to the World Trade Center after the original one was destroyed on 9/11. In Mr. Baroni’s remarks, he said that “South Brunswick’s Menorah lighting on Route 1 is at the highest (sea level) point from Maine to Florida. Tonight too, we stand with the highest Menorah – here on the 48th floor of the World Trade Center.”

Artists Bonnie Srolovitz and Michael Berkowicz were commissioned in 1981 to design the original Menorah that was destroyed in 9/11 and now are in the midst of crafting a new Menorah made with steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center.

This year, a prototype of the new Menorah was used. The new design incorporates the Twin Towers and has an American Flag woven between the two towers of the menorah.

The ceremony was slated to be on an outdoor platform in the construction site of the World Trade Center but as the weather turned the event was moved to the 48th floor of the unfinished World Trade Center, with a view of the 9/11 Memorial and site.

In attendance representing Chabad: Rabbi Mendy Carlebach and Rabbi Yosef Carlebach

Representing Port Authority: Dept. Executive Director Bill Baroni

Representing Port Authority Police: Chaplains; Rabbi Joel Eisdorfer, Rabbi Yanky Meyer, Rabbi Melnick, Rabbi Benny Breskin, Rabbi Mendy Carlebach, Inspector Guarnieri, Captain Gloria Frank, Sergeant Scot Pomerantz and various other Officers.

Port Authority Shomrim Society and its Executive Board.

NYPD Shomrim Society.