New York's Governor and France Consul General meet 32 feet above the ground.

Last night was a very special moment in New York City. David A. Paterson New York's Governor came to light the worlds largest Hanukah Menorah created by Yaacov Agam at 59St and Fifth Avenue.The governor lighted the Shamash in sub freezing temperature 32 feet above the ground lifted with Rabbi Butman in a cherry picker actioned by Con Edison people. On this occasion he delivered a magnificent speech on the history of Hanukah and its present signification.

The governor spirit was very high and he also addressed the many journalists and television stations reporting the occasion. My friend French Consul General, Philippe Lalliot also part of the ceremony addressed the numerous crowd from up there and wished the participants a warm and happy Hanukah personnaly and on behalf of France. His honor mentioned the close ties between France and the Jewish community in America and was warmly applauded by the crowd. Indeed a special moment when Governor Paterson and France's representative in New York city wishes the jewish community their best wishes for this major Jewish holiday celebrating the freedom and liberty of the jewish people in an ambiance of Miracles. It was an historical moment.

     Philippe Lalliot,Consul General de France, Ron Agam, David A. Paterson New York's Governor,Mr.W, Rabbi Butman at the lighting of the worlds largest Hanukah Menorah created by Yaacov Agam at 59St and Fifth Avenue last night.

French Consul General Philippe Lalliot addressing the hundreds of people who came for the lighting of the seven candle of Hanukah in sub freezing temperature, high above the skyline of NYC, 32 feet above the ground. His honor spoke on behalf of France and personally wishing his best on the occasion of Hanukah to the America Jewish community.

A time of pride and renewal

In these holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas, we are all enjoying the benefit of celebrating freedom and renewal. If there is one city in the world where a jew feels as free as he is in Israel, it’s the incredible city of New-York. Since living here for now almost 30 years, I feel like a fish in the sea. My religious freedom and my jewish identity have never been in doubt in this incredible city that has been a haven to so many different ethnicities. I think that trough my testimony, millions of New Yorkers can identify to my credo, and certainly millions of other people in the world can agree to it. Because NYC is where more people in the world want to emigrate than any other place in the face of the world.

For my family, every year for the past 25 years, NYC during the holiday has become an enormous source of pride. My father Yaacov Agam has created a Menorah that stands 32 feet high in the junction of Fifth Avenue and 59^th street, some say the center of city. So when I walk by this area ,my pride as a jew and a son is at an all time high. During the holiday tens of thousands of jews walk by this menorah and probably feel the same pride , to see the symbol of the jewish people standing tall and high in the world most important city. This Menorah was a collaboration between my Father and Chabad led by Rabbi Butman, who is now a very dear friend of mine and the family.

                                                     Agam lighting the Menorah

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rabbi Butman. and Yaacov Agam during the lighting of the world's largest Chanukah Menorah in New York City created by Agam

                                                The menorah in the Manhattan Skyline.