State, County VIPs Gather for Menorah Lighting Ceremony

The Jewish Girl Scouts Troop sold boxes of cookies, while congregants of Chabad Center in Pikesville handed out menorahs to people who don't have them.

It was Monday night—the third of the eight-night Festival of Lights—when state and county elected officials and community members gathered at The Chanukah House in Pikesville for the menorah lighting ceremony.

Israel 'Izzy' Patoka of Gov. Martin O'Malley's office; Del. Dana Stein, and Pikesville area community leader Ron Rosenbluth each lit one of the three lamps. Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond lit the shamash—the middle lamp.

Rabbi Schmuel Kaplan of Chabad Center and Lubavitch of Maryland led the ceremony.

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz had planned to attend, but was called away to a family emergency, said his assistant, Nancy Surosky, who represented him at the ceremony.

Homeowners Yitz and Sora Fleischman hold the menorah lighting ceremonies each night during the Festival of Lights—in the ample driveway of their own home.

It's decked out in a Hanukkah theme, and is located at 6721 Greenspring Avenue. The public is welcome to attend the ceremonies.

For the list of ceremonies, visit The Chanukah House website. The next is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Lighting the lamps Tuesday will be representatives from Pikesville area emergency services organizations: Hatzalah, Shomrim of Baltimore neighborhood watch group, Chaverim of Baltimore neighborhood help group and Baltimore's Community Emergency Response Team known as CERT.

The original Chanukah House on Park Heights Avenue was a tradition that ended when the residents moved to Florida. The Fleischmans bought those decorations from the original owners, and decided to continue the tradition in 2010.