RIVER VALE, N.J.—The community Chanukah party and chocolate gelt drop delighted children of all ages on Sunday, Dec. 22. Special thanks went to the River Vale Fire Department for facilitating the drop.
In addition to sparking the happy scramble for the precious gold-foil-wrapped sweet treats, Valley Chabad Executive Director Rabbi Dov Drizin distributed Chanukah necklaces.
Awaiting the crowd at the River Vale Community Center, 628 Rivervale Road, were latkes, donuts, hot drinks, a children’s raffle, and a 9-foot-tall peace menorah.
Following Drizdin’s blessing, Mayor Glen Jasionowski lit the menorah, inaugurating eight days of revelry. Songs rang out, including “I Have a Little Dreidel.”
Chanukah began the evening of Dec. 22 and ends the evening of Monday, Dec. 30. The holiday, also known the Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C.
The event occurred when Jews rose up against Greek-Syrian rulers in the Maccabean Revolt and drove them out of Jerusalem. In marking their victory and reclaiming and resanctifying the temple, the Jews lit its menorah, but found enough pure olive oil for a single day’s lighting, according to text.
It is written that the supply miraculously lasted eight days, hence the duration of the holiday.
The menorah holds nine candles: one for each of the eight nights of Chanukah, plus the shammash, or “helper,” which is used to light the other candles (the number of which increases each night of the holiday).
Valley Chabad, serving the Pascack Valley and Saddle River communities also organized menorah lightings in Allendale, Montvale, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake.
It also ran senior outreach events at Jewish Home of River Vale, the Bristal Woodcliff Lake, at Brookdale Emerson, Atrium Park Ridge, Care One Westwood, Brighton Gardens Saddle River, Promenade Chestnut Ridge, Artia Waldwick, Woodcliff Lake Rehab, and Allendale Senior Living.
It held teen events and an adult Chanukah soiree, the latter on Saturday night, Dec. 28, with pottery painting over fine wines, artisanal latkes, and dinner.
Valley Chabad’s Donut Creations & Good Conversations Chanukah women’s event was Thursday, Dec. 19 at the Woodcliff Lake home of Roza Kaplan.
Meanwhile, in Emerson, conservative Congregation B’nai Israel is planning its 10th Annual Interfaith MLK service, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
The congregation welcomes people of all faith traditions to join in the Freedom Minyan service honoring the lives and messages of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
