While many Jewish communal activities on Chanukah in Highland Park were festive in nature, one was designed to keep public attention focused on the plight of the 138 hostages taken and still held by Hamas in Gaza. Organized by Central New Jersey Stands With Israel, the Unlit Menorah Project placed 138 menorahs with candles on display on a private property on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park. More than 60 community members came out for a candlelight vigil held on Dec. to express their support for the hostages and their families.

Michael Gordon, one of the organizers of the Unlit Menorah Project, stated to The Jewish Link, “We wanted to remember the over 130 hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas, by displaying over 130 menorahs which are unlit, like the menorahs of the hostages.”