Mitzvah Mobile Rolls Through Flatiron on Last Night of Hanukkah
The great thing about being Jewish in New York City is that you never feel like a minority. During the holiday season, you’ll likely see at least one menorah, dreidel or Jewish star for every five clusters of Christmas trees lining the sidewalk. However, even the most inured of the Chosen People are likely to do a double take when they come across a Mitzvah Mobile. That’s right, a Mitzvah Mobile. You know, the trucks driven by Hasidic Jews (the ones with the long coats, longer beards and distinctive curls) blasting vaguely Jewish dance music for all to hear. If you get close enough, one of the friendly bearded men might ask you if you’re Jewish. Answer yes, and they’ll give you a free menorah, reminding you gently to light it and fulfill your religious obligation. Hell, they might even hand you one if you’re not Jewish, perhaps hoping that you’ll be so moved by the flimsy little thing that you’ll agree to convert (warning: you will be required to get circumcised). Flatiron Hot! was lucky enough to pass a Mitzvah Mobile on 23rd between Fifth and Sixth, coming away with a free menorah of our own. We’ll likely forget the object in a month, but we’ll save a little spot in our memory for the truck that brought it for us. Take a look for yourself.