It was a lively celebration on Tuesday, December 10, at the annual Café Europa Chanukah party hosted by Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey (JFCS). Over 100 “miracles/Holocaust survivors” from Bergen and Passaic Counties shared cheerful conversation and a festive holiday meal around tables decorated with menorahs, latkes and doughnuts.

The luncheon, located at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/B’nai Israel, featured live klezmer music performed by Ed Goldberg and the Odessa Klezmer Band. Volunteers and Holocaust survivors danced together to classic Jewish music such as Hava Nagila and other familiar tunes. The spirited dancing and the atmosphere in the room brought the light of Chanukah to Fair Lawn early this year.

JFCS is grateful to Sari Scherer Gross, Flames of Giving and the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey who delighted the survivors by giving them personal photos and Chanukah gifts at the end of the lunch.

For more information about Café Europa, Holocaust survivor services or volunteering at JFCS, please call 201-837-9090 or visit www.jfcsnnj.org.