Chabad of Englewood to light up one of 15,000 public menorahs worldwide, symbolizing a universal message of religious freedom.
(Courtesy of Chabad of Englewood) Chabad of Englewood will ignite a public giant balloon Chanukah menorah erected at City Hall, followed by a community-wide celebration on Dec. 22, the first night of the eight-day holiday. The ceremony, organized by Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Shmuel Konikov, will feature public dignitaries and community leaders. Following the menorah lighting ceremony, hundreds will dance, sing and eat the night away, including a giant balloon menorah, a special performance from the Moriah School choir, the great chocolate gelt drop, stilts walker balloon twister, Chanukah hot latkes, doughnuts, music and more.
“The menorah serves as a symbol of Englewood’s dedication to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship God freely, openly and with pride. This is true especially in America, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution,” said Rabbi Konikov.
The menorah lighting is part of the worldwide Chanukah campaign, an initiative launched by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 1973. The campaign highlights and encourages the central theme of the holiday: publicizing the story of the Chanukah miracle.
“The message of Chanukah is the message of light,” added Rabbi Konikov. “The nature of light is that it is always victorious over darkness. A small amount of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference.”
Today, the unprecedented public display of Chanukah has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life, forever altering the American practice and awareness of the festival. Englewood’s menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower and the Kremlin, helping children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy the holiday message.
Throughout the State of New Jersey, Chabad will be presenting scores of Chanukah events and celebrations. To find a local event in New Jersey or practically anywhere throughout the world, visit the international Chanukah event directory at www.ChabadEnglewood.com/HanukkahEvents.
For more information about Chanukah and a local schedule of events, visit www.ChabadEnglewood.com/Hanukkah.
