VENTNOR – A small group of residents gathered just before sunset Thursday, Dec. 26 to light the second candle on the city’s electrified menorah. Members of the Board of Commissioners were joined by Chabad at the Shore President Ronald Zukin, who flipped the switch to make the night a little brighter.
In the Jewish faith, Hanukkah commemorates the story of the Maccabees who were persecuted because of their religion but were victorious after the miracle of the light. Although they only had enough oil to light the temple for one night, the oil in the candle lasted eight nights.
Today, Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday that is celebrated with eight nights of gift-giving, children playing with dreidels, and everyone eating latkes fried in oil along with lots of donuts and chocolate gelt for the sweets.
Mayor Tim Kriebel welcomed those gathered and introduced his fellow commissioners. Zukin took over for the lamp lighting with a talk about the meaning of the holiday, which shares the universal message of light over darkness, freedom over oppression and good over evil.
“Happy Hanukkah everyone,” he said representing Chabad Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport and a “grateful Jewish community.”
“This is the third time since 1900 that Christmas and Hanukkah fell on the same day,” he said, thanking Commissioner Maria Mento for lighting the candle on the first night of Hanukkah at the Chabad the evening before. That event was attended by more than 100 people and celebrated with a fire dance, donuts and more.
He recalled the Maccabees currently fighting a war in Israel.
“While Hanukkah is a victory of the few over the many, good over evil, the oil lasted eight days. There was another miracle that an individual, when they were burning the temple and when they were killing everyone in there, that he or she took the time and hid some oil. Just like our firemen, policemen, EMTs and mayor and commissioners, they had a vision – they are heroes and they, thank God, are not only bringing our community together, but praying,” Zukin said.
The crowd sang a Hebrew blessing before the second candle was lit.
Zukin noted that Jewish children are very lucky next year because the final days of this year’s Hanukkah celebration runs into the new year. According to the Jewish calendar, Hanukkah 2025 will be celebrated Dec. 14-22, 2025.
“They will have 16 days of gifts in 2025,” he shared.
Ventnor residents gathered at dusk Thursday, Dec. 26, to light the candle on the second night of Hanukkah.Copyright Access Network 2024
