NJ Activists Hold ‘Fossil Fuel-Free’ Hanukkah Event In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — A group of environmental activists held a “fossil fuel-free” Hanukkah celebration in Newark on Thursday in an attempt to shine a spotlight on a clean energy bill in the state Legislature.

Leaders and members of B’nai Keshet, First Congregational Church and Union Congregational Church – along with members of New Jersey Together and Greenfaith – gathered outside PSE&G’s headquarters to celebrate the last night of Hanukkah. Participants enjoyed latkes heated on an induction cooktop plugged into an electric car, and lit a menorah made from paper bags and rechargeable flashlights.

The activists also wrote postcards to state legislators, urging them to pass S-2978/A-4658, which is scheduled for a committee vote on Dec. 18. They urged legislators to pass a bill that “supports truly clean energy” and “avoids subsidies for energy plants that generate air pollution or rely on natural gas infrastructure.”

A rally is planned in support of the above bills on Monday, Dec. 18 in Trenton (learn more here).

Thursday’s event was one of 60 Hanukkah celebrations around the country sponsored by the national Jewish climate group Dayenu, which called on governors across the nation to take stronger climate action.

“Hanukkah celebrates rededication and a miraculous victory over long odds,” said Rabbi Elliott Tepperman of Bnai Keshet.

“We are facing dark times across so many dimensions right now,” Tepperman said. “But the tiny lights of our small group are connected to movements that have the power to bring about a different and better future for all of us.”

Noémi Giszpenc, a member of the Bnai Keshet Dayenu Circle, said that Thursday’s Hanukkah street party was a success.

“When we imagine a fossil fuel-free future and work together, we will make our wishes a reality,” Giszpenc said.

The demand for “clean energy” has been growing in New Jersey, where the concept was a mainstay of Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent gubernatorial campaign. Read More: NJ To Require All-Electric Cars, 100% Clean Energy By 2035

PSE&G – which has a headquarters in Newark – has also been moving into the clean energy arena. In 2021, the company announced that it was selling its massive “fossil generating portfolio” of natural gas-fired power plants for nearly $2 billion.

• See Related: PSEG Asks NJ Regulators To Approve $306M For Clean Energy
• See Related: PSEG To Invest $166M In Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In NJ

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