Menorah lighting at Sparta Plaza

Sparta - Members of the Chabad of Sussex County attended an annual lighting of the menorah to commemorate the beginning of Chanukah at the Sparta Plaza. Mayor Manny Goldberg was this year’s guest of honor as he lit the menorah. “I was genuinely very happy to be invited to attend and take part in the ceremonies,” he said. “I tried to relate it to what’s going on in the world today.” He said he would love people to go beyond just the holiday and the meaning and carry that spirit throughout the years. He said he enjoys the various celebrations that take place within the town and seeing what good people can actually do to change the world. Rabbi Shmuel Lewis said the Chabad has a great community who supports and attends special events such at the lighting. “We’ve been doing it for a few years, but not in the same location,” he said. “A few years ago, we purchased a menorah and we needed a place to put it.” This year, they asked the owners of the Sparta Plaza, because they rent a facility there for services, and were allowed to erect the Menorah on the property. Chanukah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates two miracles, according to Lewis’s Web site, www.JewishSussexCounty.com. The defeat of the Greek government who had defiled the Jewish holy temple through battle and the only sealed holy oil that should have burned one night, instead burned for eight. These two events gave way to much praise and celebration, which became an annual tradition for the past two millennia. “One could also interpret the word as chanu [they rested] kah [on the twenty-fifth] - for on the twenty-fifth they rested from the battle with their enemies,” as stated on the Web site. This year’s Chabad celebration was extended, due to optimum weather conditions, to include music, which entertained the crowd and allowed the children to actively participate in the event. “This year, the weather was so nice,” Lewis said. “So, I said, hey, we are going to do something more ... I actually enjoy spending time with people and I enjoy being with them. We put a lot of effort in making the community grow; it shows a lot of potential. I think Chanukah is a great time to get together and celebrate, it strengthens the community. I think a strong community is important.” Lewis said the community has been a great support to him and his family since their arrival four years ago. He said his infant daughter recently had heart surgery, which was a trying and difficult time for his family. He said the community was there to help and support them, and he offered his appreciation for the members for that kind of love. “The greatest asset we have is the community itself,” he said. “Their enthusiasm, talents, imagination. That is what will make a strong community. They should do all they can and every bit they do adds up.” (See related photos on page 42.)