Community News

Celebrating Hanukkah in the Merricks

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Merrick’s temples, synagogues and Jewish residents this and last week celebrated Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, with prayer, menorah lightings, family time, presents, traditional foods and an abundance of community events organized around the holiday’s themes.

Temple Israel of South Merrick had loads of Hanukkah fun building a more than 10-foot-tall menorah with thousands of LEGO pieces. Stephen Schwartz, an architect with SWS Architects in Livingston, N.J., aided the dozens of families and children who took part in the effort on Nov. 24.

Schwartz repeated his LEGO menorah-building exercise on Dec. 1 at the Merrick Jewish Centre.

Chabad of Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh organized a “Menorah Car Parade” on Nov. 27, the first night of Hanukkah, in downtown Merrick. The procession featured a convoy of vehicles, including a limousine and an old-fashioned flatbed truck, carrying large menorahs through the downtown. A Merrick Fire Department truck led the way. Chabad also gave out Hanukkah gifts and treats, including latkes and jelly doughnuts.