Chabad of Somerset County Illuminates the Community with Spectacular Chanukah Gelt Drop, Menorah Car Parade, and Menorah Lightings

Basking Ridge, NJ – December 21, 2023 – Chabad of Somerset County marked Chanukah with extraordinary community celebrations, featuring the annual Chanukah Gelt Drop, the First Ever Menorah Car Parade and many Menorah Lightings across the community.

On Thursday, December 7, the festivities kicked off with a Menorah Lighting featuring The Chanukah Gelt Drop at Chabad's Jewish Center in partnership with Bernards Township. Hundreds gathered to light the first candle on the Menorah and enjoyed raining gelt and dreidel parachutes falling from fire trucks. The party continued in Chabad's beautiful new social hall with roaming magicians, donut decorating, hot latkes, crafts for the kids and more.

Distinguished guests, including Congressman Tom Kean, Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, Andrew J. McNally, Esq. (Mayor), Jennifer L. Asay (Deputy Mayor), Janice M. Fields (Township Committeewoman), and Gary Baumann (Township Committeeman), joined in the celebration, emphasizing the broad support from elected officials and the local community.

Chabad of Somerset County extends heartfelt appreciation to Bernards Township for their incredible partnership and to Mayor McNally, Congressman Tom Kean, and Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis for sharing words of support. A special thank you goes to Bernards Township Police Department in ensuring the safety and smooth execution of the celebration as well as the Liberty Corner Fire Company for facilitating the Gelt Drop.

The celebrations continued with community-wide Menorah Lightings throughout the holiday, including in the center of Warren on Monday, December 11, the Let's Glow Chanukah Menorah Lighting in Bernardsville and at the Watchung Circle on Tuesday, December 12, and in the center of Basking Ridge on Thursday, December 14.

A Chanukah highlight for this year was the Somerset County's First Ever Menorah Car Parade on Wednesday, December 13. Starting at Chabad's Jewish Center, participants gathered to decorate their vehicles with beautifully lit menorahs. The caravan, led by the Somerset County Sheriff's office along with the Warren and Bridgewater Police Departments, was then paraded through Somerset County. The route included Basking Ridge, Warren, Martinsville and Bridgewater before culminating in a grand Menorah Lighting at the Bridgewater Municipal Complex led by Bridgewater Council president Michael Kirsh. The parade featured a Chanukah Video Truck, a Giant Menorah Music Pickup Truck, a Menorah topped Army Vehicle, CTeen Party School Bus, spectacular Car Top Menorah Displays, festive decorations, and music, fostering community unity and celebrating the spirit of Chanukah.

Throughout the week-long celebration, Chabad of Somerset County provided an array of Chanukah delights, including latkes, hot drinks, gelt, Chanukah gifts, and more. The festivities were open to all, offering a joyous experience for families and the entire community.

This year's Chanukah celebrations were made possible by the generous lead sponsorship of Edgewood Properties as well as many others including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, CycleBar Bernardsville, Ken Rent Party & Tent Rentals, Janice M. Fields, Mayor Andrew McNally, Senator Jon Bramnick, Savo Schalk, Liberty Martial Arts, Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, Gabel Family, Volosov family, Rocco Family, and Long Hill Cub Scouts Den 8, Dealaman Family and George Vetter.

For those who wish to relive the Chanukah experience, photos and updates are available on Chabad's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChabadBR and @jewishsomersetcounty on Instagram.

To those anticipating next year's Menorah Car Parade, kindly visit this link to join the Menorah Parade 2024 waitlist: chabadcentral.org/menorahparade

To learn more about Chanukah or Chabad of Somerset County please visit our website chabadcentral.org, call us at (908)604-8844 or visit us at 3048 Valley Rd Basking Ridge NJ 07920

Menorah Parade Pictures: https://www.chabadcentral.org/firstmenorahparade

Menorah Lighting and Gelt Drop Pictures: https://www.chabadcentral.org/geltdrop2023

Videos of the parade: https://photos.app.goo.gl/BMN52wibcU1vsBEj8

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