The center candle of the Menorah is illuminated as part of a previous Menorah lighting ceremony in Westfield (File photo)
By Dennis Hackett
Staff writer
WESTFIELD- Westfield will celebrate Hanukkah on Dec. 23 when the city lights its Grand Menorah on the Park Square Green at 6:30 p.m.
Barbara Davenport, a member of the Ahavas Achim congregation, said the lighting will be a great way for the whole family to celebrate Hanukkah on its second day, but she emphasized that children are the focus for the event.
“While we are inviting everyone to join us, we want the kids to really come out because this holiday is about them and celebrating our faith,” she explained.
As a part of the ceremony, Davenport added that the temple’s Cantor Colman Reaboi, will be leading the ceremony with prayer and discussing the importance of Hanukkah to everyone that attends. She also said that the ceremony will likely be half an hour long, but that could change depending on the weather
After the lighting, Davenport said the congregation is inviting everyone who comes to the lighting to celebrate the event by going to the Westfield Boys and Girls club to have Latkes and sing songs to continue the Hanukkah spirit.
She explained that Latkes are potato pancakes that are traditionally eaten this time of year for the holiday. She added that the lighting initially started three years ago when the small congregation decided to celebrate Hanukkah with a menorah lighting, but now they work with the Mayor’s Office directly and have participated as a part of the city’s DecemberFest in the past.
Davenport said she is happy that they are able to host a Menorah lighting in the center of Westfield.
“The lighting ceremony is huge for us,” she said. “No one really knew about the temple before we started doing the lighting,” she said. She added that the temple has about 20 families and have their services out of Westfield State’s Interfaith Center, and despite the small size, she said she loves the location.
“It’s really nice, the Catholics have a closet, the Muslims have a closet and we have a closet. It’s a great interfaith experience sharing the center with the other religions in town,” Davenport said.
Acting Mayor Ralph J. Figy said he was excited for the event and happy to be celebrating the holiday and the diversity in the community.
“I’m really looking forward to it. The Menorah Lighting is going to be a great way to celebrate the diversity in Westfield for the holiday season,” he said.
