Photos: Hanukkah in South Brunswick

A host of activities in and around town celebrated the holiday.

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Celebrate Hanukkah in South Brunswick

Events in and around the township.

Chabad Jewish Center of South Brunswick GRAND CHANUKAH CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY NIGHT, DEC. 8, 6:30 p.m. WITH THE KINDLING OF THE GIANT, over 18 FT. “MENORAH OF FREEDOM." The Chanukah Party will include an olive oil demonstration, hot latkes, doughnuts, dreidels, chocolate gelt, Chanukah activities, and live music by the Baker Brothers.  The Festival of Lights-for many of us brings back fond memories of childhood years and serves to renew our sense of identity. The Chanukah light provide us with warmth, joy, strength and inspiration. Such is the purpose of a community-wide celebration to be held in front of the Chabad Jewish Center, One Riva Avenue. Public dignitaries and community leaders will attend the ceremony and will assist in …

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When Does Hanukkah 2012 Start?

The Jewish holiday begins a little early this year.

Mark your calendars for the 25th day of the month of Kislev. That's when Hanukkah starts in 2012. For those of us who aren't so tuned into the Jewish calendar, that translates to sundown on Saturday Dec. 8. The holiday, also called the Festival of Lights, lasts eight days. Hanukkah commemorates the story of the Maccabean Revolt against Syrian rulers in present day Israel 2,300 years ago. The Maccabees wanted to rededicate Jerusalem's main temple but had only enough oil to kindle the Eternal Light for one day.  Yet the oil lasted for eight, according to the story, and thus the holiday of Hanukkah was born. Today, Jews generally celebrate by gathering with family, lighting a menorah over the course of eight days, playing dreidel and eating …

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Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah

Give it up for latkes, applesauce and brisket.

The winter holidays are upon us. Oh joy! In our house, that means scrambling to find gifts my kids might actually need and making brisket and applesauce from scratch and latkes out of the box. I know it’s heresy to use potato pancake mix and many of you foodies out there are probably gathering your potatoes and onions already. Go ahead. I have spent many nights, whipping out the food processor, peeling the potatoes, slicing them up so they fit down the chute, letting the processor grate them into mushy bits and then spooning them into a pan of hot oil, exhausted but secure in the knowledge in that I have peeled the potatoes myself and my family might love me more for it. But I’ve found that my kids can’t tell the difference between …

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