Holiday Events Slated For Wednesday And Saturday In Caldwell

THE CALDWELLS, NJ — Hanukkah came fairly early this year, forcing observers to make plans while also planning for Thanksgiving, but there's still time to prepare for related events around Essex County. Events are scheduled all week in the Caldwells, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, and more.

In addition, there will be Christmas events Saturday in Caldwell.

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Among the holiday events, the lighting of the Menorah on the Caldwell Town Green will take place at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1, said Caldwell Council President Christine Schmidt.

Also, she noted, the Christmas Tree Lighting on the Green will be Saturday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. After that, families can head to the firehouse for cookies, hot chocolate, and a visit with Santa Claus.

More Hanukkah Events

Rabbi David Vaisberg of Temple B'Nai Abraham will host a fun event with Hanukkah songs this Sunday evening at a park in Livingston.

The Livingston event will take place at the Memorial Garden and park (see map here) at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The park is located on Robert Harp Drive. You can find more details on that town's website here.

Want to head to more Hanukkah events? Maplewood is having one Thursday at Dickens Village. More details are here.

Also, the Maplewood Jewish Center will celebrate its expansion with an event Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. The event will celebrate Hanukkah and show off the buildling's new features, including a kosher kitchen and added early childhood education classrooms. Find out more and RSVP here.

Facts About Hanukkah

This year, Hanukkah began at sundown this past Sunday and will run through nightfall on Monday, Dec. 6.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a group of Jewish warriors defeated the Syrian-Greek king, who wanted them to worship him instead of God. Led by Judah Maccabee, the Jewish worshipers held onto their Temple but found only enough oil to light the candles in their menorah for one night. The oil lasted for eight. That's why the Hanukkah celebration is a "festival of lights."

The date of Hanukkah moves around because it's based on the Jewish calendar, which correlates to the sun and moon. It always falls in November or December. Next year it will start at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 (so you have 383 shopping days).

Patch Editor Deb Belt contributed to this story.

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