A Night of Light, Remembrance, and Community: The Blue Card’s Chanukah Celebration

On Wednesday, December 17th, The Blue Card (@bluecard1934) hosted its first Chanukah Celebration, bringing together Holocaust survivors, supporters, volunteers, elected officials, and community leaders for an evening centered on dignity, remembrance, and connection. The gathering honored Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann, who earlier this year was initially blocked from speaking at a Brooklyn middle school about his experiences before that decision was reversed following advocacy efforts; during the event, New York State Assembly Member Jennifer Rajkumar presented him with an official proclamation recognizing his resilience and lifelong commitment to Holocaust education. The program also included remarks from former NBA player and human rights advocate Enes Freedom, a moment of silence honoring victims of a recent antisemitic attack in Sydney, Australia, and the presence of community leaders including Assembly Members Alex Bores and Kalman Yeger, Council Members Harvey Epstein and Keith Powers, and Claims Conference President Gideon Taylor; the evening concluded with children and survivors lighting the menorah together, underscoring The Blue Card’s mission to provide not only assistance, but also community, recognition, and meaningful connection for Holocaust survivors.