NEWSLETTER
A Shining Beacon of Light, Liberty & Jewish Confidence
Ahead of Celebration of 250 Years Since America’s Founding, Iconic Menorah to Shine Forth as Universal Symbol of Liberty
New York, NY — In a moment of great annual anticipation, The World’s Largest Menorah—a 36-foot New York City icon and the world’s most recognizable menorah—will be erected at the corner of 5th Ave and 59th St. across from the Plaza Hotel, on Wed. Dec. 10 at 8 am.
Attended by New Yorkers, visitors to the city, as well as dignitaries and community leaders, the menorah will be lit each night of Chanukah from Dec. 14, 2025 to Dec 21, 2025, shining its light on NYC and the world.
“This year’s Chanukah celebrations take on even greater significance as we prepare to celebrate 250 years since America’s founding,” said Rabbi Yossi Butman, organizer of the menorah on behalf of the Lubavitch Youth Organization. “The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson taught that the Menorah is a universal symbol of liberty, and holds an important place not only in Jewish life, but in the life of the American people.”
Chanukah is an 8-day festival which celebrates the victory of the militarily weak, but spiritually mighty Jewish people, who defeated the Syrian-Greeks in 164 BCE. It is celebrated by lighting a 8-branched candelabrum called a menorah for eight nights.
-
What: World’s Largest Menorah to Be Assembled in NYC
-
When: Wed, Dec. 10, 8:00 a.m.
-
Where: Grand Army Plaza – Fifth Avenue and north side of 59th Street at Central Park, Manhattan, NYC
Historic Menorah a New York Tradition
The World’s Largest Menorah was designed by World-Renowned sculpture artist Yaacov Agam, the towering 36-foot menorah. Certified as the world’s largest by the Guinness Book of World Records—the menorah was inspired by a hand drawing by Maimonides of the original menorah in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
Organized by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, the nightly celebration will feature a public menorah-lighting ceremony, live music, spirited dancing and Chanukah treats like donuts and chocolate gelt. Dignitaries and public officials often attend the nightly lightings.
A New York Tradition
Lighting the World’s Largest Menorah has been a New York City tradition since 1977. It is a part of the worldwide Chanukah campaign, an initiative launched in 1973 by the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the most influential rabbi in modern history — to promote awareness and observance of Chanukah.
In the half-century since the Chanukah Campaign began, it has revitalized observance of the Festival of Lights around the world and brought the holiday to the forefront of American life. This year, Chabad-Lubavitch will set up more than 15,000 large public menorahs in over 100 countries, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower and Plymouth Rock.
“The Rebbe famously called America a Malchut Shel Chessed – a Nation of Kindness,” said Rabbi Butman. “May each of us be inspired by the Menorah’s light – which increases in number each night of Chanukah – to do even more in the realms of goodness and kindness, illuminating the lives of everyone personally, and of society at large.”
Event 1:
-
What: World’s Largest Menorah Assembled in NYC
-
When: Weds, Dec. 10, 8:00 a.m.
-
Where: Grand Army Plaza – Fifth Avenue and north side of 59th Street at Central Park, NYC
______________________________
Nightly Chanukah Events:
-
What: Nightly Lighting of World’s Largest Menorah
-
Where: Grand Army Plaza – Fifth Avenue and north side of 59th Street at Central Park, NYC
-
When:
Sun., Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m. - First Night
Mon., Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m. - Second Night
Tue., Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. - Third Night
Wed., Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. - Fourth Night
Thu., Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. - Fifth Night
Fri., Dec. 19 at 3:45 p.m. - Sixth Night
Sat., Dec. 20 at 8:30 p.m. - Seventh Night
Sun., Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. - Eighth and Final Night - All Lights Night!
###
Read more about the story behind the World’s Largest Menorah.
File Photos: World’s Largest Menorah Assembled and Lit in New York City (2021): https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXaiSeY
Contact: Rabbi Motti Seligson
646-714-3280 | press@chabad.org
About Chanukah:
The 8-day “Festival of Lights”, Chanukah, begins at sunset on Sun. December 14, 2025 and concludes at Mon. evening December 22, 2025. It recalls the victory of the militarily weak but spiritually strong Maccabean army, who defeated the larger Syrian-Greeks and recaptured the Holy Temple in Jerusalem which had been desecrated. Only one jar of pure oil, fit to light the temple’s menorah, was found—enough to last for one day—but instead it miraculously burned for eight days and nights. Jews commemorate that miracle by lighting a nine-branched Menorah, eating fried foods like latkes and donuts, and having festive holiday gatherings. Chanukah carries a message of the victory of light over darkness and freedom over oppression. For more info, visit Chabad.org/Hanukkah.