MANCHESTER – Hanukkah came a bit late this season, beginning at nightfall on December 25, 2024 and concluded on the evening of January 2, 2025. It started on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev.
The eight-day Jewish holiday known as the “Festival of Lights” was well observed during the township’s annual Menorah Lighting held outside Town Hall and followed up with food and fun inside the building.
Every night of Hanukkah, another light on the menorah is lit until all eight lamps shine on the eighth night.
Rabbi Moshe Gourarie, of the Chabad of the Jewish Center of Toms River noted that as there is no Chabad in Manchester, “my area of responsibility covers Toms River, Manchester and Brick although I do not do the Menorah Lighting in Brick Township. I usually go to the Ocean County Menorah Lighting as well but it is going on at the same time today.”
He noted that Manchester’s Jewish population has grown over the years and Yehuda Fryer was appointed to serve as a community liaison for the Jewish community in Manchester. Fryer was present at the event and his café provided donuts, latkes, drinks and other refreshments after the lighting ceremony in the Civic Center.
“We keep the tradition alive,” Rabbi Gourarie added. During Hanukkah, families and invited guests enjoy eating and playing games. Traditional Hanukkah food is oil-rich in commemoration of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. One favorite is potato pancakes/latkes while another popular treat is Hanukkah donuts called sufganiyot.
The dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game. Rabbi Gourarie noted that “the rules for it are very simple, so simple that the whole family, from toddlers to grandparents can play together.”
Rabbi Gourarie demonstrated the finer points of dreidel spinning, and handed out the dark chocolate gelt to the children present.
“The idea of Hanukkah is to spread the light. Even when it is dark out and cold, nothing can stop us,” Rabbi Gourarie reminded all attendees.
It was among several menorah lighting events across Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Some were held during the Festival of Lights while others were held prior to it. Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for dedication and it commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem which was vandalized after the Greek King of Syria forbade the Jews from worshipping or practicing many of their faith’s rituals.
The temple was reclaimed after a battle with the Syrian army for eight days and nights in 165 B.C. and the holiday is observed by lighting the menorah. According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication of the temple, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day.
As noted during this year’s ceremony, miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare, and consecrate fresh olive oil.
While not present, Mayor Robert Arace provided a Happy Hanukkah greeting to residents who observe it on his mayoral social media page. He stated, “continuing the long-standing tradition of lighting the Manchester Township Menorah, Councilman Joe Hankins joined with Rabbi Gourarie, Community Liaison and Toast Cafe proprietor Yehuda Fryer, and many families and individuals from around Manchester at Town Hall to observe the eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah (or Chanukah).”
