Annual Menorah Lighting

The joy of the holidays and the importance of community will once again be highlighted at the annual Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony in downtown Collingswood, sponsored by Chabad of Camden and Burlington County. The event, which will be held on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Lumberyard Garden, has been an important part of the town’s holiday festivities since the first menorah lighting was held in 2018.

“This event has been such a gift to the community,” says Sharon Ritz, a Collingswood resident who was instrumental in bringing the program to Collingswood. “It’s lovely to see all the young families and longtime members of the community come out to celebrate the joy of the holiday together.”

Ritz heard about menorah lighting celebrations in neighboring towns and thought it would be a wonderful addition to Collingswood’s holiday programs. She did some research and was eventually connected with Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan of Chabad of Camden and Burlington Counties, which hosts Chanukah festivities in communities throughout South Jersey. Ritz worked with Collingswood Mayor Jim Maley and Commissioners Rob Lewandowski and

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MENORAH continued from page 7 Joan Leonard, along with Borough administrator Cass Duffey and community resident Sandi Kelly to bring the event to town. “The Lumberyard Condominiums dedicated the space in their garden, right in the middle of town, for the first menorah lighting ceremony and celebration,” says Ritz. “We expected a modest turnout, but had about 60 to 70 people come out that first year. Now it’s an annual tradition, and more and more people come out because it’s so much fun. The residents of our community truly enjoy getting together to celebrate the beautiful traditions of the holidays,” she says.

“We were happy to introduce this wonderful program to the residents of Collingswood,” says Rabbi Lazier Mangel of Chabad of Camden and Burlington County. “We try to add a menorah lighting in a new location every year, and we had an incredible turnout from the community. People of all faiths came out in a beautiful show of support for the holiday.”

The non-profit Chabad of Camden and Burlington County, which oversees Chabad programs in Cherry Hill, Medford and Florence, NJ, Chabad Israeli Community, as well as the Friendship Circle, Chabad Hebrew School, Chabad Men’s Club, Women of Chabad, Camp Gan Israel and Mei Shifra Family Mikvah, offers all of its programming at no or low cost to participants.

“Our success over the years has been made possible by the many people in the community who have chosen to partner with us and support our many activities and community

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services, sharing the rewards for all we do,” says Mangel. “All of our programs are 100 percent funded by community donors, helping to bring love and joy to the community.” Chabad centers focus on education and Jewish welfare, serving as spiritual outposts and organizing a network of schools and social centers throughout the world. “We love seeing communities come out to gather for the holidays,” says Mangel. “These events promote messages of hope and resilience and help raise the spirits of the community. By coming together to light the candles of the menorah, we bring

MENORAH continued from page 8 light over darkness, promote religious freedom and highlight acts of kindness, one light at a time.” The Community Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration will be held at the Lumberyard Garden, Collings and North Atlantic Ave., Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m., featuring music, latkes, donuts, dreidels and chocolate gelt. 

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHABAD LUBAVITCH Chabad of Camden/Burlington County menorah lighting

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