photos courtesy of Englewood Today
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Englewood NJ, in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, terror attack in Israel, a Bergen County community has found a powerful way to honor the victims and bring light to Hanukkah.
On Thursday evening, members of the Englewood and Tenafly Jewish communities gathered near the Englewood Municipal Building to dedicate a special menorah. This 5-foot-tall menorah, made from ceramic shards of pottery destroyed in the attack, commemorates Israeli artist Bilha Yinon and 18 of her neighbors who lost their lives in the massacre near Gaza.
A Symbol of Rebuilding
The menorah was constructed by fourth- and fifth-grade students from The Moriah School in Englewood under the guidance of their art teacher, Gila Bretter. The shards were collected from Netiv Ha’Asara, the village where Yinon lived, and attached to a wooden base to form the menorah.
“This menorah symbolizes the partnership of our communities,” said Elad Hibsher, a member of Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood. “During Hanukkah, the menorah will be lit in synagogues throughout Englewood and Tenafly.”
Honoring Bilha Yinon
Bilha Yinon, a 75-year-old artist and former nursery school teacher, was tragically killed alongside her husband, Yakov, 78, when their home was set ablaze during the October 7 attack by Hamas. Her artwork and love for nurturing creativity left an indelible mark on her community.
“Bilha had a gift for cultivating other people’s creativity,” her son, Magen Yinon, shared in a tribute. “She filled our home with her artwork and had planned to celebrate her 76th birthday later that October.”
Her death was confirmed months later through DNA evidence, underscoring the devastating impact of the attack, which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis.
Lighting the Menorah
The menorah was first lit during a ceremony organized by Chabad of Englewood on the second night of Hanukkah. Plans included lighting it at Congregation Ahavath Torah and potentially displaying it at The Moriah School to continue spreading its message of resilience and hope.
“This is about rebuilding,” said Rabbi Daniel Alter, head of The Moriah School. “We are Jews. We’re used to being attacked, but we’re not going to play victim. We’re going to rebuild. What better way of doing that than to create something like this that will be spreading light?”
Community Support and Connection
The menorah project is part of a broader effort by Englewood and Tenafly synagogues to support survivors of the Netiv Ha’Asara attack. The coalition planned a Zoom call with the Israeli village over the weekend to virtually light the menorah together, sing Hanukkah songs, and strengthen the bonds between communities separated by distance but united in spirit.
A Message of Hope
The menorah stands as a testament to the strength of community and the enduring spirit of rebuilding after tragedy. This Hanukkah, it serves as a beacon of light, hope, and unity, bringing together people from Bergen County and beyond in remembrance and resilience.
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