PRESS RELEASE

Hanukkah Celebrations

The Consulate General of India, New York in collaboration with Rego Park Jewish Center and American Jewish Committee (AJC) celebrated Hanukkah in the Consulate on Sunday, December 09, 2018. Several eminent members of the Indian, American and Israeli Jewish community came together for the occasion. Amongst the notable guests present were Congresswoman Grace Meng, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Ms. Brooke Knobel, Office of Foreign Missions and Mr. Israel Nitzan, Deputy Consul General of Israel.

The evening began with singing of U.S, Israel and Indian national anthems. On behalf of New Jersey General Assembly, State of New Jersey, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji presented a citation to Consul General Chakravorty. Consul General Chakravorty, while welcoming the guests spoke about the importance of respecting different faiths and recognizing that there are several paths to the absolute truth. Mr. Israel Nitzan, Deputy Consul General of Israel, recalled the tragic terrorist attack in Mumbai 10 years ago, and reinforced the close ties between India and Israel in bio technology, agriculture, hi tech, defense and tourism. Rabbi Romiel Daniel of the Rego Park Jewish Center highlighted the importance of freedom for all the world’s faiths. Rabbi David Levy of AJC, New Jersey while delivering the vote of thanks remarked on the warmth that people belonging to diverse communities of New York and nearby areas have been able to generate in the Consulate on the auspicious occasion of Hanukkah.

Congresswoman Grace Meng highlighted the diversity of her Congressional District and the contribution of the Indian American Community.

Being the eighth day of Hanukkah, all the eight candles, in typical Indian Diya style, were lighted by the attendees amidst the singing of Maoz Tzur and other Jewish Hanukkah melodies. Ms. Nandini Chakravorty presented a scintillating Bharatnatyam performance. The event concluded with exchange of greetings over vegetarian Indian food.

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New York

December 11, 2018