MIDTOWN — When you think about lighting a menorah, a crane is not the first thing that springs to mind.
But that is exactly what Sen. Chuck Schumer needed to light the world's largest menorah at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street during the first night of Hanukkah Tuesday evening.
"This is the largest menorah in the world," Schumer said before lighting the first candle sitting atop the 32-foot tall, 4,000 pound object.
The brief 5:30 p.m. service was presided over by Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, the director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization.
"This is our first night of Hanukkah and I wanted to see it," said Mara Myln, who traveled with her family from Washington, D.C. for the event.
Her son Ezra Cormier, 7, demurred when asked what present he was most hoping to get, but eventually admitted it was a "rolling suitcase."
Myln said he travels a lot.
Marshall Wishnic, 24, and Leann Koetzner, 25, traveled from Pennsylvania for the lighting.
"We want to spend more time together," said Wishnic when asked what he wanted for Hanukkah.
"And we're getting Kindles," Koetzner added.
Adam Levy, 46, and his wife Alejandra Levy made a shorter trip, coming from the Upper East Side for the event.
"The biggest menorah in the world is certainly an inspiration," said Adam Levy.
His gift of choice seemed closer to what you might guess 7-year-old Ezra Cormier would want.
"I'm hoping for a pair of Dr. Dre headphones."
Those hoping to catch the lighting can see it at 5:30 p.m. each night, except Friday when it will be at 3:30 p.m. in observance of the Sabbath, and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
