LIGHTING OF 18-FOOT MENORAH AT STEW LEONARD’S

Chanukah Celebration Kicks-Off Festival of Lights: December 18 at 4:30 P.M.

WHAT:
Stew Leonard’s celebrates Chanukah on Monday, December 18 at the Norwalk store with a giant menorah lighting and party for family and friends.State and local dignitaries will be on hand to help Rabbi Hecht, from Beth Israel Synagogue of Westport/Norwalk lead the ceremonial lighting.

The community is welcome to attend the free Chanukah celebration and menorah lighting ceremony, where families can participate in traditional dancing, holiday songs and enjoy complimentary kosher cookies and juice.

Children from the Synagogue will perform horah dancing, which is a traditional and symbolic circle dance, sung to songs like: “Chanukah, Oh Chanukah.” Kids will receive dreidels and gelt from Rabbi Hecht.

Chanukah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication." The eight-day celebration begins with the religious observance of lighting the menorah. There are nine candles; one for each night, plus a shammus, which stands at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed to the far right and each night another candle is added from right to left.

WHO:
Congressman Christopher Shays, Norwalk’s Mayor Moccia and members of the Norwalk and Westport police and fire departments will assist Rabbi Hecht in leading the ceremony. Stew Leonard, Jr. and members of the Leonard family will also be in attendance.

Rabbi Hecht has led Stew Leonard’s annual menorah lighting for 13 years.

WHEN:
Monday, December 18, outside of Stew Leonard’s, located at 100 Westport Avenue in Norwalk.

WHERE:
Stew Leonard’s Norwalk store, located at 100 Westport Avenue in Norwalk.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jill Greenwood, 203.750.6141, or 203.667.4030
Rabbi Hecht, 203.866.0534