On Sunday, Dec. 13, the third day of Chanukah, Chabad of Westchester hosted a Chanukah Car Parade. Bookended by two Chabad mitzvah tanks overflowing with yeshiva boys, riders in over 30 decorated cars listened to Chanukah music provided by Chabad piped in through each car’s radio.
The parade kicked off at the Post Road School in White Plains, escorted by the White Plains Police Department. Local residents cheered all along the eight-mile parade route, which proceeded through Scarsdale and Eastchester, and finally through the streets of New Rochelle. As they passed through each of the localities, the respective local police departments served as motorcade escorts. The parade concluded with candle lighting for the fourth night at New Rochelle High School and the distribution of packages which included sufganiyot, dreidels and chocolate Chanukah gelt.
Chabad of Westchester was challenged to come up with an appropriate idea to comply with physical distancing requirements while allowing for a very public Chanukah event. Rabbi Avrohom Butman of the Chabad of Westchester explained that the car parade was entirely his mother’s idea.
Rochel Butman, head of Chabad’s Alef Bet School in New Rochelle, described, “Chanukah menorah parades have been going on in big cities and I thought it would be wonderful to be able to bring the spirit of Chanukah to Westchester. I didn’t think nighttime would work well in our area, but daytime could be super nice! With corona taking away so many of our opportunities to celebrate together and feel the Chanukah joy, I wanted a safe way to share that joy in a group setting. I wanted people to experience the warmth of the holiday and feel a sense of connection, pride and togetherness.”
Rabbi Butman added that each of the local police departments were extremely helpful and receptive. He noted, “It was amazing to find a beautiful way to bring many people together to celebrate Chanukah, while at the same time making sure everyone was safe and socially distanced.”
The Bochner family of New Rochelle were parade participants who attended with their young children. “I asked Hannah and Dovi what they loved about the Chabad parade,” said Lauren Bochner. “Hannah said the doughnuts at the end and Dovi said seeing his morah.”
Bochner added, “I loved that it helped us feel like we were a part of something special. I loved seeing people on the sidewalk wave at us as we drove by. I think it taught my children about the uniqueness of this holiday. It showed them how Jews can come together, have fun, play music and show other people we are proud to be Jewish.”
Marci Salzbank of New Rochelle said that her son Eitan, age four, liked that there were lots of mitzvah people in the mitzvah tanks. “The parade taught that Hashem made us free from Antiochus because he didn’t want us to learn Torah or talk to Hashem.”
The Lorbert family decorated their minivan with lots of Chanukah cheer. SAR Academy sixth grader Shira explained, “It was super fun being able to celebrate while taking COVID into consideration. The music was blaring in our car and we were all singing along.”
Sara Lorbert added, “Chanukah is a holiday where we celebrate Pirsumei Nissa. This parade demonstrated that aspect of the holiday. Additionally, the parade taught our children to be proud to be Jewish and that Chanukah matters too!!”
The Weinberg Family, also of New Rochelle noted, “We loved being able to see people at a distance and openly celebrate Chanukah among our neighbors.” Danny, age four, added that he enjoyed “getting the doughnuts at the end.”
