Hanukkah Celebration In Town Brings Two Synagogues Together
Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown and Congregation B’nai Israel of Danbury co-hosted a Community Hanukkah Celebration at 115 Huntingtown Road on Sunday, December 18. The event was held to kick off the first night of the holiday.
Guests were invited to socialize together inside Adath Israel and enjoy latkes (potato pancakes), jelly donuts, and hot cider.
There were games such as Dreidel to be played as well as tables with different arts and crafts for children. Each child was given a Hanukkah goody bag to take home.
Later in the evening, everyone gathered outside by the large menorah just as a few sprinkles of snow fell.
Congregation Adath Israel Education Chair David Smith welcomed everyone for attending and announced the night’s raffle winner with the help of First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, who picked the winning ticket.
Smith then passed the microphone off to Rosenthal to say a few words.
“Thank you all for inviting me to celebrate with you,” Rosenthal said.
He noted that although he grew up Episcopalian, he “always felt connected to the Jewish faith” through his grandfather’s heritage.
Rosenthal concluded by saying how blessed they are to live where they do and thanked them for being part of the community.
Meyer Glaser of Congregation Adath Israel did the honors of lighting the first candle of the menorah.
The group participated in singing blessings and traditional Hanukkah songs, including Hanerot Halalu, Maoz Tzur, and Mi Yimalel. Many people danced and smiles could be seen all around on the celebratory night.
Before everyone dispersed, Rabbi Rhonda Nebel of Congregation B’nai Israel shared, “This was so wonderful! We have made so many new friends today.”
To show her appreciation, she extended an invitation for all to join her congregation in Danbury for Purim.
To learn more about Congregation Adath Israel, call 203-426-5188 or e-mail office@congadathisrael.org. For information on Congregation B’nai Israel, call 203-792-6161 or e-mail cbi193clap@gmail.com.
Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.