CAPE MAY – To thousands of lights brightening Washington Street Mall, five new ones were lit Dec. 16. Those were different than the rest, they marked the fifth night of Hanukkah and shone from a large, electric menorah.
Leading a round of songs about Hanukkah was Rabbi Ron Isaacs of Beth Judah Temple, Wildwood. A number of the congregation bundled up against the brisk wind to join the festive evening, one of eight nights that Jews around the world remember for the miracle of Hanukkah.
Karen Burke, president of the board of Beth Judah Temple, said it was through the generosity of Larry Hirsch that the menorah lighting took place.
On a table were some of the elements that help make Hanukkah special: dreidels, gold-wrapped chocolates in the shape of coins, and a tray of donut holes.
By tradition, the holiday is also marked by the spinning of a dreidel and eating fried foods like latkes and donuts. Isaacs taught the group a simple song to remember latkes, which some also may call potato pancakes.
Burke said Beth Judah is Cape May County’s only active synagogue.
According to the website Chabad.org: “What is Hanukah? … When the royal Hasmonean family overpowered and was victorious over [the Greeks], they searched and found only a single cruse of pure oil… enough to light the menorah for a single day.
“A miracle occurred, and they lit the menorah with this oil for eight days.
“On the following year, they established these [eight days] as days of festivity and praise and thanksgiving to G‑d.” – Talmud, Shabbat 21b
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
