Hanukkah began this year with a public menorah lighting ceremony Wednesday night in Baldwin.

Hosted by the South Baldwin Jewish Center, the event marked the first night of the eight-day celebration honoring faith and perseverance.

The lighting of the menorah serves as a reminder of the Jewish people's perseverance, a message Rabbi Jacob Rosner of the South Baldwin Jewish Center emphasized during the ceremony.

"The idea is to spread the message of Hanukkah, showing how our people have always fought for religious freedom," Rosner said.

This holiday commemorates the miracle of a small jar of oil found in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which, despite being enough for only one night, burned for eight days.

This enduring miracle is celebrated by lighting one candle of the menorah each night, culminating in the full display of all eight candles on the final night.

Evelyn Estrine, a member of the South Baldwin Jewish Center, described Hanukkah as a time to reflect on gratitude and resilience.

"This is a holiday to remind us to be grateful for what we have, to be aware of what could happen, and to be happy we got this far," Estrine said.

The menorah, standing proudly in the heart of Baldwin on Sunrise Highway and near the Baldwin train station, was placed in a central location to ensure the entire community could share in the celebration.

According to Jeff Barkan of the South Baldwin Jewish Center, the menorah's visibility symbolizes the strength and unity of the local Jewish community.

"It is basically a statement that the Jewish population in the Baldwin, Oceanside and Freeport areas is still vibrant, involved and community-oriented," Barkan said.

For Estrine, the Menorah serves as more than just a symbol of faith; it’s a statement of resilience.

"It shows that we are here, we are celebrating and we remind our foes that no matter what you do, we're still here," she said.

As the menorah glowed brightly, its light served as a reminder of hope and endurance— a beacon that will shine for the remaining seven nights of Hanukkah.

With this public celebration, Baldwin’s Jewish community continues to demonstrate that light will always triumph over darkness.