‘Chanukah 250’ to Bring Light to 250 Events Across America
Businessman Phil Friedman will serve as General Chairman of “Chanukah 250,” a nationwide Chabad initiative offering grants and support for Chanukah celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveA new initiative to support the celebration of Chanukah across the US was launched today to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America.
The program “Chanukah 250” will offer funding grants for security, logistical and other support and novel commemorative items including menorah kits and candle sets to enhance the celebration of the Festival of Lights.
Funded through American Friends of Lubavitch-Chabad, Chanukah 250 will offer support to events of all types and for Jewish groups and communities including participants of all levels of affiliation. These will include those held in the public spaces as well as synagogues, community centers, campuses, youth centers, young professionals gatherings, and various private venues. A new site, Chanukah250.com will be live shortly and will accept requests for grants from $250 – $25,000.
Chanukah runs from Friday, December 4th before sunset until Sunday December 13th. The main event will be the lighting of the National Menorah on the White House Ellipse on Sunday, December 6th at 4pm. Additional events, from Independence Mall and Plymouth Rock to Mt. Rushmore, Niagara Falls and many historic Jewish places across the US are scheduled to be part of the 250 sponsored events.
“We believe this program will help rejuvenate the accurate narrative of Jewish life in America. It is not one of merely turn of the century or post Holocaust immigrants. Rather, the involvement of American Jewry goes all the way back to the founding of our nation itself,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch Chabad, who initiated the program and has been at the forefront of the celebration of Chanukah in public spaces for decades.
“We hope this will serve to bolster a prouder Jewish identity and, in a positive way, also help our fellow Jews, especially younger ones, to feel an enhanced sense of strength and light to help offset the dark voices of antisemitism and hatred in our society. This is a core teaching of the Rebbe, which he exemplified in his life and leadership. to counter darkness with light. And we have seen that it can be very effective.”
“We feel Mr. Phil Friedman is a wonderful choice to serve as General Chairman of this effort. In addition to his generous and passionate diversified support for Jewish life across America and beyond, he is in fact himself a successful example of the essential Jewish American story. And we are delighted that he has chosen to add this to his innumerable responsibilities.”
Mr. Friedman is Chairman and CEO of Computer Generated Solutions, Inc. (CGS), a diversified technology enterprise delivering award-winning software, consulting, systems integration, training, and support to clients in almost 50 countries. Under his leadership, the CGS Group of Companies has grown to include thousands of professionals worldwide through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
“Exactly 50 years ago, during America’s Bicentennial, I arrived in this country as a penniless immigrant, said Mr. Friedman, “I had a dream, and America gave me the chance to build a business and a life here. I believe this is the only country where someone can arrive with so little and have the opportunity to dream so big.”
“As America marks its 250th anniversary, I’m honored to serve as General Chairman of Chanukah250. At a time of rising antisemitism and hatred in our country, I feel compelled to stand with American Friends of Lubavitch – Chabad and support its work bringing the light of Chanukah into public life. We must speak up when we see hatred. History will not judge our silence kindly.”
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