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Menorah lighting becomes new tradition in Ridgewood

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Menorah lighting becomes new tradition in Ridgewood

DECEMBER 18, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014, 2:13 PM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Hanukkah, the eight-day celebration centered around a miracle, felt like exactly that to some Ridgewood residents.

On Tuesday, the first night of the Jewish holiday, members of the Ridgewood Menorah Committee handed out blue goody bags filled with glow sticks, bracelets, dreidels, and gelt while cantors from Temple Israel and Wyckoff’s Temple Beth Rishon sang traditional songs.

Propped up against a statue facing the still un-lit menorah was Hanna Landau, a 46-year village resident and Holocaust survivor.

“I’m glad I lived long enough to see it,” Landau said of the menorah lighting about to take place.

When she moved to Ridgewood in 1968, Landau said anti-Semitism was still part of the way of life.

Her family had been denied homes by realtors and children at school would call her kids hurtful names.

“It was difficult living here in the ’60s,” Landau said. “I could not believe 12 miles from the GW [George Washington Bridge] there was a town that was so restricted.”

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/community-events-and-announcements/menorah-lighting-is-new-tradition-in-ridgewood-1.1165932

21 thoughts on “Menorah lighting becomes new tradition in Ridgewood

  1. In with the new out with the old.

  2. what do you mean #1? This is adding new not getting rid of anything. What’s the “old” that is “out”?

  3. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Everything I learned in kindergarten as a Jew: Hanuckah is not a public display holiday.

    Hence the small menorah lighted at home in quiet and privacy. That’s what they sell in stores; small menorahs for the table.

    It’s crass and against the true meaning of the holiday to have a huge menorah and public display.

    That is the tradition.

  5. Christmas is old. I want to see all faith put there beliefs on display in the park. We want to be inclusive We have many cultures in Ridgewood not just Christians and jews.

  6. Why have any displays at all?

  7. My personal display is Christmas. I go with my family faith and traditions.

  8. blame the old dutch world.

  9. yea and it’s time to open up on sundays, I pay rent , so I would like to be open.the old holland laws are done. they need to go.

  10. Yes #9 you will open up on Sunday for a few weeks until you see its not worth it because your not making money .

  11. Its alway someone else fault. Its the town, its the malls,its the blue laws, its the parking , its the weather, its the internet.

  12. I wonder what commodity #9 sells that they feel the need to be open on Sunday. Its must be really something that people need.

  13. I don’t shop on weekends.

  14. I’m not just talking about ridgewood, it’s bergen bull shit. we are out a lot of money because people do shop and spend money. no one is telling u that u must. but a lot of people do. the old dutch law is way out of thinking with to days world.

  15. People only have so much money . What make think that they will have more if the stores are open on sunday. Can you get around using the word bull shit #14. Maybe the store owners will lower their prices for shoppers on sunday. What do you think .

  16. I’m Roman Catholic and I look forward to seeing the Menorah in Van Neste along side the Christmas Tree. I think it’s lovely.

  17. WE should open stores on Sunday to attract the thousands of multicultural shoppers. who will add an sense of internationalism to our tired streets. We need a broad mix of Indians, hindus, blacks, musulms,, jews, and people of all color and ethenic races. This way Ridgewood will become a true multicultural melting pot. Then let then decide how they want to love together in everlasting .harmony. Perhaps the luxury apartments may turn out to be an excellent idea.

  18. I’d like to install a Festivus pole right outside of the Ridgewood Coffee Company.

  19. REIGHT ON #17 and #18. More voters for the Fab Three.

  20. Im sorry RIGHT. Just came from a love in and some one put something in the brownies


  21. Anonymous:

    . We need a broad mix of Indians, hindus, blacks, musulms,, jews, and people of all color and ethenic races. This way Ridgewood will become a true multicultural melting pot.

    open your eyes it already is what you describe

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