From left, the author, Ron Agam, his father Yaacov Agam, art dealer Guy Wildenstein and French Ambassador Francois Delattre.

Hannukah is a symbol of Jewish renewal and the struggle for freedom, this year like many years before, in the center of New York City at the Grand Army Plaza stood the world’s biggest menorah created by Yaacov Agam, inspired by a drawing of the Rambam (Maimonides). This menorah received the blessing of Rabbi Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who wanted it to stand in the heart of the world’s largest Jewish city.

Ironically this year , I looked around and realized that the Menorah – which stands 32 feet high – was located a short distance from the most successful symbol of modern technology, the Apple store on Fifth Avenue. These two symbols were waving to each other a symbolic Shalom that illustrated in my mind the importance of freedom, which allows the ultimate tool of creativity to flourish. God was definitely present on Fifth Avenue and his message to mankind, is that man is capable of greatness when he brings the lights of freedom to humanity.