CHESTER — Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, is celebrated this year from Dec. 6-14, with the kindling of the first candle on Sunday evening, Dec. 6. Chabad of Orange County, headed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, is providing an array of festive and unique Hanukkah celebrations for all ages, regardless of background or affiliation. Highlights this year include the lighting of a giant coin menorah in Chester and a fire truck Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins) drop at the menorah lighting in Monroe, as well as a menorah lighting in Tuxedo.
“In a world where we are faced with darkness and terror,” says Rabbi Pesach Burston, “the universal message of Hanukkah is to respond with goodness and light.”
Public menorah lightings and fire truck bucket gelt drop
Chabad will hold several public menorah lightings, which are free of charge and a wonderful experience for all. The ceremonies will include the traditional lighting of the menorah, as well as joyous singing of Hanukkah songs, dreidels, hot latkes and other traditional Hanukkah treats such as doughnuts and chocolate “gelt.” Menorah lightings will be held at the following locations:
Tuxedo – Sunday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m., Tuxedo Train Station, across Tuxedo Park entrance. Menorah lighting will be outdoors, followed by reception inside the train station.
Monroe – Monday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m., at the commuter parking lot on Millpond Parkway. This event will feature a Hanukkah Fire Truck Bucket Gelt (Chocolate Coins) Drop, made possible by the Village of Monroe Fire Department and the Monroe Police Department.
Chester — Tuesday, Dec. 8, 5 p.m., annual grand Hanukkah party at Colonial Lanes. There will be lighting of a giant "Coin-orah," a menorah filled with donated coins to charity. Charity boxes are available at Chabad for people to collect spare change and donate.
Quite a party The Chester Hanukkah party will also feature an all-you-can-eat buffet, latkes, donuts, dreidel games, bowling, Hebrew School Choir and, to top it all off, a contortion show with Jared Rydelek.
Rydelek is not your ordinary kind of talent. His comedic shows are packed with amazing, real, and strange stunts that push the body's natural limits. His skills include contortion, sword swallowing, broken glass walking, escape artistry and everything else that your parents told you never to try at home. Rydelek holds three world records for contortion, has had scientists marvel at his abilities on The National Geographic Channel and Discovery Channel, has crammed himself through doggie doors for Nestle Purina, and has trained actors and stuntmen how to escape from straitjackets for HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Recently, Rydelek spent three months working in Kuala Lumpur, where he had the opportunity to perform a private show for Malaysia's First Lady.
The event will be held at Colonial Lanes, 78 Brookside Ave, Chester. The cost is $12 per person. Sponsorships ($180/$360) are available.
Hanukkah on the WebIf you are asking, “How do I light the Menorah: From right to left or left to right?” “What blessings do I recite?” “Got any good Latke Recipes?” or any other questions related to the holiday, be sure to check out Chabad’s special Hanukkah website, www.ChabadOrange.com/Hanukkah. It is loaded with content including Hanukkah how-to guides, recipes, Hanukkah insights, videos and games, virtual Hanukkah cards, the story of Hanukkah, and much more.
To register for any of the menorah lightings, to request a free menorah kit or to get any information about Chabad, go to www.ChabadOrange.com, call 845-782-2770 or email rabbi@chabadOrange.com. Chabad of Orange County is located at 1170 Route 17M Suite 1 • Chester.