"I want to wish a Happy Hanukkah, Chag Hanukkah Sameach, to all in the Jewish community who begin celebrating this evening. This holiday demonstrates the incredible power of perseverance, faith, and the miracles that those values make possible in our lives.
"Today, many of us in the city and around the world are feeling uncertainty and fear in the face of darkness. It is in these moments that the message of Hanukkah is crucial - a message of light over darkness, liberty over persecution, and the power of miracles in the most desperate times. In our darkest moments, we look for the light, and are sometimes called to create it, to be the beacon for others in need of support. By that light, and the light of the menorah, we can overcome the greatest of challenges, the most daunting of obstacles."
"This year, we cannot gather in person, but we can be united in common spirit to do good for one another. As reflected in the letters on the dreidel, great miracles can happen here - in unity and faith, strength and perseverance, we can make miracles happen in our lives and in our world."