PASCACK VALLEY, N.J. —— Valley Chabad will light five public 9-foot menorahs at gathering places across the Pascack and Saddle River Valley communities, followed by celebrations, on the first three nights of Chanukah, Dec. 12 through 14.
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Lightings are planned in Westwood, River Vale, Woodcliff Lake, and Allendale.
Community leaders and local elected officials are expected to attend.
At the ceremonies, hundreds will dance, sing, and eat the night away, enjoying such traditional Chanukah foods as donuts, Latkes and chocolate “gelt” coins for the children.
According to Valley Chabad’s Rabbi Dov Drizin, the event’s organizer, the menorah serves as an important symbol of communities’ unity and is a reminder of the need to come together despite our differences.
“It represents dedication to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship God freely, openly, and with pride. Specifically in America, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution, the menorah takes on profound significance, embodying both religious and constitutional principles,” he said in the event announcement.
The message of light and growth holds special meaning this year as Valley Chabad celebrates 18 years, the Hebrew milestone of “chai,” life.
The Pascack Valley and Saddles River communities menorahs join the thousands of large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad the world over, enabling children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy this important holiday message of light and freedom.
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The program says menorah lightings are planned for:
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Westwood train station.
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at River Vale Community Center. (A magic show for children follows.)
• Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. Woodcliff Lake, Old Mill Pond.
• Thursday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. Woodcliff Lake, Tice’s Mall in front of the Gap.
• Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in front of the Allendale Library.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory more than 2,100 years ago of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people who defeated a ruthless enemy that had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life, prohibit religious freedom and force the Jewish people to accept a foreign religion.
Valley Chabad offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations.
For more information about Chanukah and a complete schedule of local events, visit ValleyChabad.org/Chanukah or call (201) 476-0157.
Photo courtesy Valley Chabad