Public menorah lighting honors Festival of Lights
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

DAVE BENJAMIN State Sen. Robert Singer participates in the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah in Jackson on Dec. 23.

JACKSON — The holiday of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, was celebrated at town hall last week during Jackson's third annual menorah lighting.

The holiday that is celebrated by Jews around the world began on the evening of Dec. 21 and concluded eight nights later.

The public lighting of the menorah in Jackson took place on Dec. 23, the third night of the holiday. One candle is lit the first night of the holiday, two candles are lit on the second night, and so on until the final evening.

Gilda Brandman, representing the Presidium of Bat Shalom Hadassah, said "the holiday of Hanukkah commemorates the victory of a small band of Maccabees [Jews] over the Syrian Greeks, who ruled the land of Israel. Against all odds, the outnumbered Jewish freedom fighters prevailed. The festival celebrates the miracle of freedom for the Jewish people in that place and time and continues to represent victories of one against great odds."

Brandman said Hanukkah is the holiday of miracles, such as those that occur at Hadassah Hospital in Israel.

"Chag sameach," Brandman said, which translates to "have a happy and joyous holiday."

Event co-chairs Linda Selznick and Honey Greenberg wished all who came to celebrate the festival a very happy holiday season.

The township was represented by Mayor Michael Reina, Township Council President Michael Kafton, council members Ann Updegrave, Scott Martin and Bobbie Rivere, and Business Administrator Phil Del Turco.

Refreshments provided by Bat Shalom Hadassah, the Westlake Yiddish Cultural Club and the Yiddish Heritage Club of Winding Ways were served as guests enjoyed musical selections performed by the Jackson Civic Chorus, under the direction of Jason Diaz.

State Sen. Robert Singer (R-Ocean, Monmouth, Burlington and Mercer) offered comments at the menorah lighting, saying, "I think of other communities that do not have a menorah lighting ceremony. This is the fiber of our country. The fact that Jews and non-Jews can come together to celebrate a holiday is something that is very special. Thank you for being such courageous people and doing the right thing."

Rabbi Boruch Goodman, director of Chabad House at Rutgers University, explained the meaning of Hanukkah and related a story about a rabbi who taught his students how to get rid of darkness and evil in the world.

"The way you get rid of darkness in the world is with light, warmth and love," Goodman said as he told the story and explained its relation to Hanukkah.

The children's choir of Congregation Ahavat Olam of Howell and Lakewood, under the leadership of Rabbi Michael Klein, Principal Annie Klein and Cantor David Katchen, sang Hanukkah songs.

The first candle on the menorah was lit by representatives of Bat Shalom Hadassah, Stephanie Hausner, Trudy Prager and Gilda Brandman.

The second candle on the menorah was lit by Singer, Jackson Board of Education President Marvin Krakower, Executive Director Dan Goldberg of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, Len Dutkowitz, president of the Westlake Yiddish Cultural Club, and Martin Beck, president of the Yiddish Cultural Heritage Club of Winding Ways.

The third candle on the menorah was lit by Rabbi Michael Klein and Cantor David Katchen of Congregation Ahavat Olam, along with Cantor Emeritus Daniel Green of Congregation B'nai Israel, Toms River.

Attending the candle-lighting ceremony were the Rev. Betty Gibbons of the DeBow's United Methodist Church, the Rev. Scott Shaeffer of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Jackson Senior Center Director Sherry Silversmith, Planning Board Chairman Kenneth Bressi, Department of Public Works Director Fred Raciewicz, and Recreation Director Steve Eisenstein.

Also in attendance were Hadassah Southern Regional Area representative Phyllis Natter, and Executive President Lisa J. Aubrey of the Jackson Civic Chorus.