Rekindling the lights of freedom

Despite the temporary DC 37 diaspora, the union’s Jewish Heritage Committee kept alive its tradition of lighting the Hanukkah menorah with a ceremony Dec. 10 at Social Service Employees Union Local 371.

Quality of Work Life Director Linda Feldman lit the candles and Rabbi Alvin Kass, a Police Dept. Chaplain and a member of Local 299, led members and leaders of many locals in chanting the ancient Hebrew blessing.

Rabbi Kass pointed to parallels between the origins of Hanukkah almost 2,200 years ago in Jerusalem and its celebration in New York in 2001. The holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabee guerilla fighters, who defeated an oppressive occupation army and won the right to practice their religion.

“Lighting these candles today is a symbol of the way DC 37, New York and America are fighting back and refusing to accept defeat by those who say their way is the only way,” he said.

SSEU Local 371 President Charles Ensley welcomed participants, and Jewish Heritage Committee Chair Larry Glickson presided. The evening concluded with a light nosh that included the traditional latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly donuts.

 

Special party for special kids

Local 1549 member and Clerical Associate Mary Murdoch has been working on the project for 10 years. Another volunteer is Jeanette Withers, who chairs Local 1549’s Fire Dept. Chapter.

“I help out with the wrapping of the Christmas gifts,” said Ms. Murdoch, who was decked out in a bright red outfit with a Santa Claus hat for the Dec. 7 party at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church on Court Street.

Many of these children have special needs. “I feel good, because I see a lot of mothers here with their children,” said Ann Bowen, a single parent whose child is autistic.

“It’s fantastic to see the smile on their faces,” said Sonny the Clown, whose real name is John Arndt. A cable splicer for Verizon, Mr. Arndt has volunteered his services for five years.

“This year’s celebration is dedicated to the firefighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11,” said Mr. Hirschkorn, as children ran around the banquet hall of the church opening gifts and playing with Sonny.

At the front of the hall sat three empty chairs laden with firefighter’s boots, helmets and coats, a silent memorial to the deceased heroes.

 

Menorah from history

An elaborately decorated 18th century Hanukkah menorah from Eastern Europe shone its light in New York City for the first time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum presented the 5-foot tall bronze menorah, one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith, on Dec. 10 to mark the holiday season.

Museum Technicians and Local 1502 members William Kopp and Eric Peluso installed the antique, which is on loan from a private collector. Working with such rare artifacts “makes the job interesting,” said Mr. Kopp, a 30-year museum veteran. “But you work very, very carefully.”

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer lit the first three candles commemorating the eight-day celebration as children sang traditional Hanukkah songs from the marble balcony above.
Mr. Schumer said the menorah is a “symbol of survival, endurance and perseverance,” and is an inspiration to New York as it rebuilds.

Santa visits Harlem

Four hundred children and members enjoyed a Dec. 8 holiday bash hosted by Juvenile Center Employees Local 1457 at an elementary school in Harlem.

The festivities included African dances, cheerleading, drumming, a step show and a performance by young dancers.

The party also featured a visit by Santa Claus, who looked suspiciously like union member Danny Laurie.

“We spend our working lives taking care of other people’s children,” said Local 1457 President Alex Parker. “This provided a chance for us to kick back, relax and do something nice with our own families. People had a great time.”

Members Dennis Harris, Turina Blair and Kim Johnson — all from the transportation unit of the Dept. of Juvenile Justice — co-chaired the event, which was held at the Wadleigh Secondary School at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

The entertainers were the Mount Vernon Revelators of the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon and the Brothers and Sisters of Culture, an African dance group headed by Local 1407 member Elizabeth Lindau.