As the sun began to set and day evolved to an evening that threatened rain on Sunday, Dec. 9, families, local religious and governmental dignitaries, a juggler, a musician, photographers and a soldier named Judah Maccabbe gathered in Village Square in downtown Glen Cove for the annual Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting sponsored by the Chabad of Glen Cove and Brookville.

Rabbi Mendy Heber welcomed the community and reminded all of the ancient history and miracle of Chanukah when "a handful of Maccabbes defeated an army of oppressors." At the rededication of the Jewish Temple following the victory, it was found that there was just enough consecrated oil to light the Temple's eternal flame for one day. However, that oil miraculously burned for eight days, allowing time to prepare and consecrate more oil. Members of the Jewish faith have celebrated the Festival of Lights through the ages with joy, dancing, food, and not least of all...light.

Rabbi Heber iterated the significance of first Chanukah as a call "to never give up and continue to go forward" in the belief that God will help when one is lost in the dark. "A little fuel can create a great flame," said the rabbi, adding that the miracle can be practiced all year long.

Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi said he was very happy to welcome Rabbi Heber and the community to the celebration in Village Square, which he called a place with "lots of tradition" for residents of Glen Cove. He remarked that one need not know every word of religious law to live a good life and said, "We just need to be good to one another."

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi welcomed the crowd with a greeting in Hebrew and thanked the Chabad for continuing the tradition of a Chanukah celebration in Glen Cove.

Rabbi Heber introduced Glen Cove resident Saul Katz, chairman of the North Shore-LIJ Board of Trustees and president of the New York Mets, who is also a husband, father and grandfather, duties which keep him at least as busy as spring training, as evidenced during the festivities of the evening. He was also busy giving out Mets yarmulkes. Rabbi Heber didn't miss a pitch and presented Mr. Katz with a menorah embellished with the Mets logo and baseball-style candleholders.

Assemblyman Chuck Lavine called Chanukah a "unique time for Jews." Beyond the tradition of family and gift-giving, he said, the holiday is a "celebration of religious freedom." He also quipped that the evening was proof positive that "the Mets are the chosen team."

Modern technology joined ancient tradition as Rabbi Heber, Mayor Suozzi, County Executive Suozzi, and Mr. Katz and grandchildren Carly and Blake Knopf stepped into the bucket of a cherry picker operated by Vinnie Martinez, Jr. and were raised to the top of the menorah, shamas candle in hand, to light the night in celebration of Chanukah. Cantor Gustavo Gitlin of Congregation Tifereth Israel sang and David Shuchat played an evocative song titled "Maoz Zur," succinctly translated for this reporter as a "song of strength" by Rabbi Heber's father.

The menorah lighting was followed by a menorah contest. Youngsters had brought their original creative and imaginative menorahs and a group of local artists served as judges. Rabbi Heber praised all the young artists for the time and work that went into each beautiful creation. First prize was awarded to Isabelle Mark; Olivia Gross and brothers Michael and Ryan Kliget were named runners-up.

The Festival of Lights concluded with a performance by Daniel the Juggler and more music, dancing, treats and laughter under the glow of candlelight proclaiming the miracle of Chanukah.

And, as predicted on the record by Rabbi Heber at the commencement of the evening, the rain held out until the fun was done.