JACKSON – The winter air chill didn’t diminish the warmth that attendees experienced during the annual township lighting of the Menorah held this week.
The outdoor event held on December 11 on the grounds of the municipal building was hosted once again by Rabbi Shmuel Naparstek and sponsored by Bat Shalom Hadassah, Jackson Chabad, Westlake Yiddish Club, Shalom Club of Winding Ways and South Knolls and Metedeconk.
The ceremony in Jackson began 19 years ago when Honey Greenberg and Linda Selznick, members of Bat Shalom Hadassah joined with Chabad’s Rabbi Carlebach in creating the tradition: a Menorah lighting in back of Jackson’s municipal complex building.
Mayor Michael Reina, Council President Steve Chisholm, Councilwoman Jennifer Kuhn and Councilman Mordechai Burnstein were present for the event and the township recreation department provided special Chanukah accessories that children and adults enjoyed wearing.
Ellen Keller, the president of Bat Shalom Hadassah hosted this year’s event and noted that “Mother Nature cooperated and cleared up all the rain on Monday, December 11, just in time for the annual Jackson Township Menorah lighting. It has become a highly anticipated event.”
During the ceremony Keller recalled Marcia Fishbein, Honey Greenberg, and Linda Selznick, whose vision made the lighting a reality. “Hadassah honors the spirit of Jewish women who helped save their people throughout the years. These strong women include Esther, whose Hebrew name was Hadassah, and Judith, who is the heroine of the Chanukah story.”
Keller said she was grateful that for the first time since the pandemic the ceremony was held indoors and the menorah lighting itself was held outside. She thanked “Marsha Inzelbuch who coordinated the event this year, right down to the delicious donuts from Gelbsteins.”
Also participating in the event were the Westlake Yiddish Cultural Club, The Shalom Clubs of Metedeconk, South Knolls, and Winding Ways.
Keller noted that this year’s lighting was tinged with sadness because of the terrible attacks in Israel and the shocking outbreaks of antisemitism in the United States as well as abroad. She said that many felt the claws of antisemitism for the first time in this country and hoped that a great miracle, like the one that happened long ago, would once again happen in Israel.
She was also proud to announce that Bat Shalom raised over $9,000 for emergency relief aid to Israel after the October 7 attacks by the terrorist group Hamas.
Her remarks were echoed by both Rabbi David Amar of Congregation Ahavat Olam in Howell, and Rabbi Shmuel Napartek of Chabad, Jackson.
Rabbi Amar spoke of times long ago when the Maccabees were victorious, and of the miracle of the holy oil which lasted eight nights instead of one, and sang several Chanukah songs. “The issue is that we are in a dark time yet we are trying to shed the light – especially during Chanukah – and to push away darkness and with every little light we come together to make a big light.”
“This is a world issue not just one of the Jews. Chanukah is a time for miracles but the miracle is us because we are the ones who push behind the scenes. We need to love and show our love and always by kindness,” Rabbi Amar added.
Mayor Michael Reina remarked, “I say this on behalf of Jackson Township, we stand with you, we stand with Israel and we’re not going to waver.”
Before lighting the huge menorah Rabbi Naparstek led those assembled in singing Ma’oz Tzur, the Hebrew version of the popular song Rock of Ages. The guests participated in both the prayers and the singing.
“We were happy to have the opportunity to celebrate Chanukah as a group in Jackson and are grateful to the township officials who made it possible once again,” Rabbi Naparstek said. He lit the fifth candle of the menorah and noted that it was a special night for it was the evening when “light overcomes the darkness.”
“Every generation there are those who come to destroy us but nevertheless, we are still here and we are still lighting the menorah and the message of Chanukah is just that. At a time when there was religious persecution and at a time when there seemed no chance for continuation of Judaism, a whole group of Maccabees were able to overcome the mightiest army in the world and they were able to bring back the glory of the temple and to light the menorah again,” Rabbi Naparstek added.
Rabbi Naparstek said, “that is the message of Chanukah, a message of hope and a message of faith.”
