Chanukah has come and gone, but before it is too far gone I wanted to write a short review of the 2nd Annual Passaic Chanukah 5K Race and Kids’ One Mile Fun Run which took place on the Sunday of Chanukah, Dec.13, in the Third Ward Veteran’s Memorial Park in Passaic, NJ. The event was launched unofficially three years ago to support the growing population of the Passaic and Clifton observant Jewish community who are beginning to run and race, as well as to encourage and give an opportunity for the children of the community to get out and get fresh air, exercise, run, get active and become aware of the importance and enjoyment of physical activity and sport. The race became official last year with more than 20 sponsors and professional timing and technical long-sleeve T-shirts; however, this was the real official year, as we joined forces with the recreation department of the city of Passaic and had wonderful support from some of our major sponsors, St. Mary’s Hospital and Princeton Physical Therapy. The number of participants more than doubled as did the funds raised, which go towards the needs of some of the community supported by Bikur Cholim of Passaic-Clifton, Congregation Adas Israel and Chabad of Passaic-Clifton. People came from all parts of New Jersey as well as New York. The winners this year, setting a new course record, Efraim Shaw, in 17:14, from Brooklyn, NY, and Rachel Mittel in 21:23, from Passaic, NJ. Her husband, Yitzy, one of the sponsors from the West Orange Bake Shop in West Orange, NJ, sponsored the doughnuts this year and last year. We hope to grow and improve even more and try to have even better participation from the tri-state area next year. Next year in Jerusalem, we hope.

By Jeffrey Ruttner