The first night of Hanukkah was a joyous one in Brooklyn, as hundreds of people from all over the country gathered to light the borough’s largest menorah in Grand Army Plaza. It was a cold night, said Rabbi Shimon Hecht of Congregation B’Nai Jacob in Park Slope,

The first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is underway. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit from the eight candle menorah and there is a story behind this. The holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the victory over the Syrian Greeks and the light of the menorah that burned for eight days with just a little bit of oil.

The Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center of Merrimack Valley held its annual Grand Menorah Lighting at The Park, 36 Bartlet St., on Thursday to celebrate Hanukkah .