Everyone looks forward to Chanukah. Family parties, friends getting together, good food: What’s not to like? This year, the Highland Park/Edison community held an especially large number of events. With nearly a dozen Orthodox synagogues in the area, there were so many Chanukah celebrations in the local area that you needed a calendar to keep track of them all.
On Friday, December 20, Khal Chasidim congregation started things off with a discussion for men and women on the laws of Chanukah. Rabbi Reisman’s topics included challenging menorah lighting dilemmas, sof zman achilat doughnuts, and whether the time to light has changed today.
Amit and Tania Friedlander of Highland Park hosted a special Chanukah farbrengen for men on Motzei Shabbat, December 21, led by Rabbi Shmuel Braun. Rabbi Braun is known for giving shiurim that students from any background and level of knowledge appreciate.
Congregations Ohav Emeth and Ohr Torah both held children’s Chanukah parties on Sunday, December 22, featuring shows, activities, food and fun for families.
Main Street Highland Park, a community development organization, held a community-wide menorah lighting on Sunday, the first night of Chanukah. The festive occasion featured the lighting of the large electric menorah, singing of Chanukah songs, recorded Jewish music, dreidels and refreshments. In attendance were many people who planned to come as well as people who stopped by when they saw the crowds. The huge block party was sponsored by an array of local Jewish owned or operated businesses and organizations: China Lee, Cyber Knight Computers, Epstein Ostrove, LLC, IL Peretz Hebrew School, Jerusalem Pizza, Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, Judaica Gallery, Mordy’s Bake Shoppe, NCSY, Park Place Deli, Rutgers Hillel, Salit Auto, Sushiana and WJPR.
On Monday afternoon, December 23, there was a presentation in the lobby at the Regency Heritage Rehabilitation Center by Dr. Aaron Feingold on “Menorahs of the Diaspora,” featuring a portion of the collection that he started over three decades ago. Dr. Feingold presented a selection of menorahs from all parts of the world and from many decades, describing the interesting and unique aspects of each one.
Later that evening, Ohav Emeth sponsored a Chanukah party for women, hosted by Rebbetzin Kaufman. Approximately 30 women from a broad cross-section of the community participated. The theme of the evening was creating a community by doing a chesed for another person or treating them to something special. Participants were treated to a variety of treats ranging from walks to Shabbat meals to sheitel styling and portraits. While the gifts were nice, many of the attendees noted that meeting so many new people was the best part.
On the morning of December 25, Ohr Torah sponsored a special “legal holiday shiur” followed by breakfast. Rabbi Reichman, the rabbi of East Hill Synagogue in Englewood since 2002, spoke on the topic, “Why is Learning Torah So Important?”
Congregation Ahavas Achim hosted a Musical Shabbat Chanukah with a Maccabeats concert and comedian Eli Lebowicz after Shabbat.
The Himber family of Edison invited the entire community to their annual giant menorah lighting on Motzei Shabbat, December 28, in their front yard. Tall as a house, the oil menorah is a neighborhood landmark. Throngs of people gather for the menorah lighting and to share jelly doughnuts with their neighbors.
To send out Chanukah in fashion, Congregations Ahavas Yisrael and Khal Chasidim presented Simply Tsfat in Concert on Monday, December 30. As the musicians noted, in times of darkness, it is critical to follow the teachings of Rav Nachman and find the joy and happiness in serving Hashem.
By Deborah Melman
