South Orange Menorah Display Trashed By Cane-Wielding Teen: Police

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A cane-wielding teen allegedly smashed up a menorah display hanging in Spiota Park during the third night of Hanukkah, South Orange police say.

The alleged menorah bashing took place around 10:40 p.m. on Dec. 26, when a male in his late teens - accompanied by two other men – approached the display in Spiota Park, which is located near Village Plaza.

South Orange police said that the teen then swung a long, striped cane at the display, shattering some of the lights.

A passerby reported the crime to the police department the next morning, and the South Orange Recreation Department replaced the bulbs that day, according to New Jersey Jewish News.

South Orange Police Chief Kyle Kroll told the publication that detectives planned to appear at local schools in South Orange and surrounding communities to speak with counselors and other administrators in connection with the incident.

“I was disturbed and obviously upset to hear that the menorah was vandalized, but I appreciated that the village Department of Public Works and Recreation Department responded so quickly by repairing it and replacing the bulbs,” Rabbi Jesse Olitzky of Congregation Beth El said.

Surveillance footage of the incident can be seen here.

Photo: Flickr Commons