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BY SUSAN MCTIGUE
CORRESPONDENT
HAWORTH, N.J.—More than 100 exuberant celebrants from Haworth and surrounding towns enjoyed the relatively mild evening on Monday, Dec. 3, the second night of Hanukkah, as the large outdoor menorah was lit up with two electric candles, plus the shamash, which is used to light the other candles.
This year, the menorah lighting took on special significance as a way to bring the community of many faiths together following an anti-Semitic incident recently in Haworth. Although no mention was made at the celebration, many people were aware of the disturbing news that five swastikas were drawn in shaving cream on “Cabbage Night” at the end of October. Although the local police found no evidence that anyone was targeted by the hate symbols, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office was notified about this bias incident. The Anti-Defamation League detailed in its 2017 annual report a surge of 57 percent of reported anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. The Haworth Mayor and Council made it clear at the time that “Hatred has no home in Haworth.”
The Haworth CommUNITY Menorah Lighting took place on the lawn in front of Borough Hall at 300 Haworth Avenue where the menorah will remain for the duration of the eight-day holiday.
Rabbi Rebecca Shinder of Temple Beth Shalom in Florida, N.Y., explained the meaning of the holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt from 167–160 B.C. Legend describes how a small vessel of oil that should have lasted just one day burned miraculously for eight days.
Rabbi Shinder added that the holiday is a reminder that strength and perseverance are qualities to be emulated.
The Jewish Festival of Lights known as Hanukkah often falls on the Gregorian calendar closer to Christmas, but this year the holiday began earlier than usual.
Following the menorah lighting, everyone was invited to a reception inside the Haworth Public Library where traditional games were played and delicious food was served. Since oil plays such a large part in the Hanukkah festival, latkes (fried potato pancakes) topped with apple sauce, and fried jelly doughnuts were in abundance. The children played the dreidel game while gobbling up these treats, knowing that they still had six more days of celebrating ahead of them.
Other speakers at the event included Haworth Mayor John Smart and Haworth resident Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ.
The committee responsible for organizing the menorah lighting included Stacey Glick, Suzanna Kronfeld, Amy Shames, and Councilwoman-elect Heather Wasser.
Photos by Susan McTigue
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