52 THE QUEENS COURIER • HOLIDAY GUIDE • DECEMBER 13, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
holiday guide
Lighting up fi nal night of Hanukkah in Forest Hills
On the fi nal night of the Jewish festival
of lights, hundreds of Forest Hills residents
gathered at Yellowstone Park on
Dec. 9 for the fourth-annual “Chanukah
on the Park” festival.
Th e festivities included the lighting of
an 18-foot menorah, one of the largest
in New York City. Th e Fire Department
assisted Rabbi Mendy Hecht of Chabad
of Forest Hills North in illuminating the
menorah.
Chabad of Forest Hills and Anshe
Sholom Chabad JCC sponsored the festival
at the corner of Yellowstone Boulevard
and 68th Avenue, which also included a
huge coin drop, live music and dancing,
a science show, a grand raffl e, food and
refreshments.
“Th e menorah serves as a symbol of
Forest Hills’ dedication to preserve and
encourage the right and liberty of all its
citizens to worship G-d freely, openly,
and with pride; specifi cally in America,
a nation that was founded upon and vigorously
protects the right of every person
to practice his or her religion, free
from restraint and persecution,” Rabbi
Hecht said.
Th e organizers thanked the Parks
Department, Fire Department and the
112th Precinct for their assistance.
— Robert Pozarycki
Photos by Bruce Adler
Rabbi Mendy Hecht greets guests
Lighting the menorah
Celebrating the holidays at Jamaica park
Photos by Nat Valentine
Hundreds came to Rufus King Park in Jamaica on Dec. 8 for the annual “Holidays on the Avenue” holiday festival and tree lighting. The program included a Christmas tree lighting and a visit from Santa
Claus. Guests young and old also gathered at nearby Grace Episcopal Church for a holiday program that included entertainment and an ornament-making class.