Ceremony brings light to 15-foot menorah in downtown Gables

December 14th, 2012
10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Spencer Aronfeld addresses guests. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

A bounce house helped keep kids entertained. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Commissioner Maria Anderson and former Mayor Don Slesnick. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Guests listen to Spencer Aronfeld and Rabbi Avrohom Stolik. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Dr. Lisa Sherman lighs the menorah. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Musicians entertain guests at the ceremony. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

The 15-foot menorah remains up through the holiday season. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Participants at the menorah lighting ceremony. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Mayor Jim Cason and Commissioner Maria Anderson light the first candle. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Yisroel Amar gives a special Hanukkah performance. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Jay Marcos speaks to guests. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Joel Hirschhorn and Rabbi Avrohom Stolik. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Refreshments included traditional favorites such as latkes and jelly doughnuts. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Lisa Beining, Jay Marcos and Jaime Shepard. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Mayor Jim Cason addresses guests. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Menorah-lighting dignitaries. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

The 15-foot menorah with all candles aglow. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Spencer Aronfeld and Rabbi Avrohom Stolik at the lectern. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Rabbi Avrohom Stolik gives Mayor Cason a gift. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

A child scales the rock-climbing wall. Photo by Betty Alvarez

10th annual Coral Gables Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Scott Miller, Broward County CFO, and Spencer Aronfeld. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Spencer Aronfeld addresses guests. Photo by Betty AlvarezA bounce house helped keep kids entertained. Photo by Betty AlvarezCommissioner Maria Anderson and former Mayor Don Slesnick. Photo by Betty AlvarezGuests listen to Spencer Aronfeld and Rabbi Avrohom Stolik. Photo by Betty AlvarezDr. Lisa Sherman lighs the menorah. Photo by Betty AlvarezMusicians entertain guests at the ceremony. Photo by Betty AlvarezThe 15-foot menorah remains up through the holiday season. Photo by Betty AlvarezParticipants at the menorah lighting ceremony. Photo by Betty AlvarezMayor Jim Cason and Commissioner Maria Anderson light the first candle. Photo by Betty AlvarezYisroel Amar gives a special Hanukkah performance. Photo by Betty AlvarezJay Marcos speaks to guests. Photo by Betty AlvarezJoel Hirschhorn and Rabbi Avrohom Stolik. Photo by Betty AlvarezRefreshments included traditional favorites such as latkes and jelly doughnuts. Photo by Betty AlvarezLisa Beining, Jay Marcos and Jaime Shepard. Photo by Betty AlvarezMayor Jim Cason addresses guests. Photo by Betty AlvarezMenorah-lighting dignitaries. Photo by Betty AlvarezThe 15-foot menorah with all candles aglow. Photo by Betty AlvarezSpencer Aronfeld and Rabbi Avrohom Stolik at the lectern. Photo by Betty AlvarezRabbi Avrohom Stolik gives Mayor Cason a gift. Photo by Betty AlvarezA child scales the rock-climbing wall. Photo by Betty AlvarezScott Miller, Broward County CFO, and Spencer Aronfeld. Photo by Betty Alvarez

The 10th annual Coral Gables Festival of Lights Menorah Lighting Ceremony was held Thursday evening, Dec. 13, at Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park.

Dozens of participants enjoyed music, latkes, jelly doughnuts, dreidels and gelt, while children had fun at rock climbing, Hanukkah crafts, a bounce house and more.

Rabbi Avrohom Stolik of Chabad of Coral Gables continued this celebration that he and Spencer Aronfeld of Aronfeld Trial Lawyers established.

Special guests, including Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason and Commissioner Maria Anderson, took turns lighting the eight candles of the 15-foot-tall menorah, which will remain at the park through the holiday season.

Photos by Betty Alvarez / Events Photographer