Menorah Lighting With 'Fire Juggler' Set For Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken will celebrate Hanukkah this Sunday with a menorah lighting, presentation, and entertainment including a fire juggler.

The free family friendly celebration, at Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St., is co-hosted by the Chabad of Hoboken and Jersey City.

It will feature a gelt drop by the Hoboken Fire Department, speakers, prayers, music, and holiday treats.

The entertainment begins around 3:30 p.m. and the menorah lighting will be held at 4.

The city has announced street closures in the area between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. including:

• Washington Street between Observer Highway and First street.
• Newark Street between Hudson and Bloomfield streets.
• First Street between Bloomfield and Washington streets.

NJ Transit buses will be re-routed onto Bloomfield and Hudson Streets during this time. Please abide by posted "no parking" signs and prepare for traffic delays in the immediate area. Hoboken Police will be on hand to assist with detours and other traffic impacts.

What's Hanukkah About?

Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for dedication. The eight-day observance commemorates the time when the Jews rose up in the Second Century B.C. against leaders who wanted to suppress their religion and worship, known as the Maccabean Revolt.

As lore has it, a group of sheltering fighters had only enough olive oil to light one candle on their menorah, but it lasted eight days. (A menorah is an ancient candelabrum with several branches, designed to light a temple more brightly.)

While Hanukkah is a popular observance because of the celebrations, it's not the most religious holiday in Judaism. The most significant holidays include Passover, which commemorates Israelites' escape from Egypt (April 22, 2024); Rosh Hashana, which marks the new year (Oct. 2, 2024); and Yom Kippur, the most solemn of the Jewish religious holidays, when Jews seek to make up for their sins and reconcile with God (Oct. 11, 2024).

Next year, Hannukah will begin at sundown on Dec. 25, 2024.

Patch editor Beth Dalbey contributed to this report.