'Brooklyn's Largest Menorah' 2019: Schumer To Light First Candle

GRAND ARMY PLAZA, BROOKLYN — "New York City's Largest Menorah" will return to Brooklyn this weekend with a special first lighting by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, organizers announced.

The longstanding tradition will bring the giant menorah to Grand Army Plaza for the eight days of Chanukah, starting with the first candle lighting on Sunday evening.

The kick-off event will include the U.S. Senate's minority leader, and Park Slope resident, lighting the first candle, a concert by Jewish artist Yehuda Greene, hot latkes and other gifts, organizers said. The recipient of a lifesaving bone marrow donation will also get to meet their donor for the first time at the menorah lighting, thanks to a partnership with the Gift of Life organization.

"The Menorah is one of the most recognized symbols of the Jewish people," said Rabbi Shimon Hecht, the director at Chabad of Park Slope. "Its lights proclaim the timeless message of the Chanukah miracle. This gigantic Menorah publicly reaffirms the celebration of our freedom, inspired by the Maccabean victory of right over might and light over darkness."

Schumer will use a special 60-foot boom lift to light the giant steel structure. The "candles" on the menorah are made of kerosene lanterns with specially designed glass chimneys to protect the lights from the elements, organizers said.

Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah is a project of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE) and Chabad of Park Slope.

Here's this year's lighting schedule:

4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22

6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23

6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24

6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25

6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26

3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27

7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28

5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29