The Raritan Valley celebrated the last half of Chanukah in a big way with a variety of family-friendly celebrations in Highland Park and East Brunswick.

Highland Park’s Sephardic Cong. Etz Ahaim held their Chanukah Extravaganza on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 29. The scavenger hunt sheet of questions about the shul that was provided to attendees as they arrived provided an icebreaker opportunity for the adults while they enjoyed the delicious meat buffet that featured American and Sephardic cuisine as well as popcorn, cotton candy and sufganiyot for dessert.

Featured entertainment included comedian Anna Tirat-Gefen (introduced by her son as “the best comedian in the world”), carnival games, a bounce house and inflatable activities for the children, an opportunity to stump students of Yeshivat Mital HaShamayim, as well as an opportunity to make a unique tzedakah box in an arts and crafts activity. Despite the audience’s best efforts to ask exceedingly difficult questions, the yeshiva students came through with all the correct answers and many audience members learned something new in the process.

Rabbi Eliyahu Tal of Etz Ahaim was happy to see so many families from the community enjoying the food and activities. “Today is a day of unity. The miracle of Chanukah brings us together from within Etz Ahaim and beyond. We are happy to welcome everyone.”

Ovi Lee of Highland Park brought his children to the event after hearing that his neighbor was making her famous soup for the buffet. Synagogue member Audrey Rockman attended with her husband. “We heard there would be a comedian and we are always happy to support the ever-growing Etz Ahaim community.”

Tal also wanted to thank the many people who helped arrange the event and did the cooking. The Kosher Experience at ShopRite of East Brunswick deserved a special note of thanks for providing a special price on the delicious chicken wings that featured prominently in the buffet.

Later that evening, the Young Israel of East Brunswick (YIEB) held their Annual Menorah Lighting featuring a Chanukah chocolate candy gelt drop. Pre-event activities included making sand art menorah necklaces; customizing, creating and decorating sufganiyot; a photo booth; the opportunity to add a letter in a sefer Torah; and other activities. Rabbi Yehoshua Hess of YIEB was happy to see the nice crowd of well over 200 people. “It is wonderful to see our vibrant Jewish community with so many young children connecting with their faith in a meaningful way while having so much fun.”

The menorah was lit outside by Rabbi Yosef Carlebach, executive director and founder of Chabad at Rutgers University, whose daughter and son-in-law, Rabbi Shneur and Menucha Majeski, are the youth directors at YIEB. Adding to the festive environment, the Majeskis prepared goodie bags for each child that included glow sticks and Chanukah light-up toys, and real Chanukah gelt. Children of all ages were excited to catch the chocolate gelt tossed to the crowd by firefighters from a fire truck. The event, planned by the youth directors, concluded with a meal of pizza and latkes while the story of Chanukah was read and a brief movie of the holiday shown.

Leslie Schwartz, president of the YIEB sisterhood, and Lea Kurzweil, sisterhood board member, were active in putting the craft tables together and ensuring things ran smoothly. Samantha and Scott Haarburger came to enjoy the festivities from Highland Park with their daughter Emma clearly enjoyed the efforts.

On Monday, Dec. 30, the sixth night of Chanukah, Torah Links of Middlesex County held their Family Chanukah Extravaganza at the Torah Links Center for Jewish Life in East Brunswick. More than 100 people attended the exciting event that featured a ventriloquist show that was enjoyed by audience members of all ages, making and decorating freshly made sufganiyot, a dreidel drop, and a delicious dairy buffet dinner featuring many varieties of pasta, salad, eggplant parmesan and latkes.

Ilan and Stephanie Derey of East Brunswick came to the event with their two children. “We love that there is so much here for the kids to do and the dreidel drop is something to look forward to. Our son goes to classes here and loves it. We try to participate and get involved as much as possible,” said Stephanie. Rebbetzin Chani Gross of Torah Links described the event as one where “Jews of all types come together to celebrate the holiday united as Jews.” Having held Chanukah celebrations for more than 20 years, they are happy to see the event grow and include more and more children.

The children dashed outside when it was announced that it was time for the dreidel drop. The parking lot lights were dimmed and glow in the dark dreidels were tossed from the top of the ladder extended from a firetruck. Children raced to collect as many as they could and watched the firefighters “rescue” dreidels that became stuck in a tree.

Rabbi Dovid Gross of Torah Links described the Chanukah party as a small example of what Torah Links does for the Jewish community. Social events, classes, teen and children’s programming have the common denominator of making meaningful connections to Judaism for all participants.