Monmouth Reform Temple Creates Environmental Menorah

TINTON FALLS, NJ — This December, the Monmouth Reform Temple of Tinton Falls created an environmental Hannukah menorah to celebrate the renewal and protection of our environment, in coordination with Jewish climate action group Dayenu.

The six-foot wide and four-foot high (with center Shamash candle) menorah was designed by temple member and artist Judy Rabon. Religious school students and temple members collected recyclable bottles for the building blocks, and the "candles" on top of the menorah are all solar-powered lights.

“We brought the 'Time to Build' Hannukah program from Dayenu to Monmouth Reform Temple," said MRT Climate and Environmental Justice Group chair Jay Weisenfeld.

"Dayenu’s mission is to secure a livable and sustainable world as a multi-generational Jewish movement to address the climate crisis," he continued. "The 'Time to Build' program recognizes the importance of climate, jobs and justice for all. We are celebrating Hannukah, as a time to focus on the miracle of light, and the miracle of raising our collective voices for a just and livable future for all.”

The temple's teenagers held a special Sunday service program to talk about the environment and leave messages in the bottles about climate, environment and environmental justice.

Temple members were also encouraged to write to Gov. Phil Murphy to ask him to fully utilize the federal funds in the ground-breaking Inflation Reduction Act in the spirit of social justice and additionally to stop all bills and projects that increase fossil fuels and pollute NJ communities.

The celebration of Hannukah celebrates the ancient victory of the Jewish people over their enemies and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem which they sought to destroy. The Hannukah menorah candles are lit for eight nights to symbolize the miracle of lights that would not diminish over that same period despite the temple’s destruction.