On the fourth night of Chanukah, more than 50 menorah-topped cars took to the streets and highways of South Florida, parading the light of Chanukah in a powerful public display. The motorcade departed from Chabad of Inverrary and completed a 38-mile loop, traveling from Inverrary in Broward County to Boca Raton in Palm Beach County, before returning to Chabad of Inverrary.

Parade coordinators Rabbi Chaim and Bassy Rosenstein said that in light of what occurred this year at Bondi Beach, the parade needed to surpass last year’s statement of Jewish pride and resolve.

With the assistance of Chabad of Inverrary, generous donors, and Mr. Zalman Myer Smith, Director of Security at Chabad of South Florida, arrangements were made for the Florida State Police to escort the parade.

Eight troopers were originally reserved for the motorcade, but nine ultimately participated. The troopers escorted the parade through local streets and along Florida’s Turnpike, continued on an eight-mile stretch of local Boca Raton roads, and then returned via the Turnpike back to Chabad of Inverrary. The pirsumei nisa to the thousands who witnessed the parade was extraordinary, and the joy was so great that additional participants spontaneously joined the motorcade at various points along the route.

Many participants later told Rabbi Rosenstein that this was the most exciting Chanukah parade they had ever experienced. New highlights this year included a school bus adorned with Chanukah banners and a party bus, alongside the return of the Hatzalah high water rescue vehicle and a mobile billboard truck. The billboard displayed messages including “Happy Chanukah,” “Increase acts of goodness and kindness,” and “Light for Australia.”

Special thanks to Rabbi Aron Lieberman, Chabad of Inverrary, Rabbi Chaim and Bassy Rosenstein, Mr. Zalman Myer Smith, the Florida State Police FHP division, donors, vendors, and volunteers.

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