Menorah-lighting ceremony sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe took place in Veteran’s Memorial Park, Tuesday.
By: Audrey Levine
JAMESBURG In the sun-lit Veterans’ Memorial Park on Tuesday, a crowd gathered in front of a large white menorah for a ceremony celebrating the importance of bringing light out of darkness.
"The menorah is the universal symbol of justice and freedom," said Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky of the Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe, as he welcomed war veterans, township officials and families to celebrate the third night of Hanukkah. "In a world of darkness, we strive to bring more light into the world."
The menorah-lighting ceremony has taken place every year for the past seven years at the park, a central location in Jamesburg, and has been sponsored by Chabad for the past four.
"The public property (of the park) is important to the message of universality," said Rabbi Zaklikovsky.
Hanukkah celebrates the freedom of the Jews from Syrian control after the Maccabees fought for an end to persecution.
Perhaps the idea of freedom was most personified by the many Jewish war veterans who turned out for the ceremony.
According to Stan Hoffman, former commander of VFW Post 609 and a member of the 30th Infantry Division in World War II, the veterans have been attending the ceremony since it began.
The veterans, who displayed many of the awards and commendations earned during their time in service, gathered in front of the menorah as Mayor Tony LaMantia, Councilman Otto Kostbar and the builder of the menorah, Neil Greenspan, turned on the three bulbs for the third night of the holiday.
"It is heartwarming that we can have the celebration in the presence of those who are modern day Maccabees," said Rabbi Zaklikovsky about the veterans.
Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, whose district includes Jamesburg, also attended the ceremony and said the holiday is a celebration of religious freedom.
"It proves you don’t have to be the strongest military," she said, referring to the smaller Jewish army fighting against the strong Syrians in the story of Hanukkah. "The people with the greatest spirit can prevail."
George Applebaum, a World War II veteran, said he looked at the ceremony as an expression of religious freedom, and that he is glad the menorah stands next to a Christmas tree, adorned with lights, in the middle of the park.
"We have the right to have ours and others have the right to have a tree," he said.
Besides celebrating religious freedom, many in attendance said it was commendable that the menorah was placed in Veterans’ Memorial Park, a central location in the town.
"It speaks well of American culture and brotherhood," said Mr. Kostbar. "This is the center of town."
"It is nice that they have the tree lighting and the menorah in one place everyone can see," said Jenny Ludas, children’s librarian at the Jamesburg Public Library.
The ceremony ended with dancing and singing of holiday songs as well as jelly doughnuts and hot apple cider to warm up in the cold winter air.
"I think it’s wonderful the way Jamesburg celebrates all of the holidays," said Ms. Greenstein. "It is a community event and brings people together."

