HOWELL – To celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah, Howell Township held a festive Menorah lighting at the municipal building on Dec. 26.
Hanukkah, which is celebrated this year from the evening of Dec. 25 through Jan. 2, is celebrated by many residents of the Howell community, thus hosting this ceremony for the second year in a row.
“Hanukkah is really a time of celebration of religious freedom,” said Shmuel Naparstek, one of three rabbis that conducted the ceremony. “The story of Hanukkah was that the Jews were not allowed to practice their faith, but there was a small group that went and fought just to be able to have that right, so being able to do this here in town hall in the center of the government and municipality is very symbolic in that sense.”
Rabbi Naparstek is the serving rabbi of the Chabad religious institution in Jackson. Along with himself, a second rabbi from Jackson and Rabbi Anar from Howell Township conducted the ceremony, which included the Menorah lighting, dancing and snacks.
The Menorah is located directly underneath the Howell Township Municipal Building sign to the left, just before reaching the double doors to enter the premises.
Residents of Howell and members of Rabbi Naparstek’s Chabad community stood at the front doorway of the municipal building and sang ceremonial songs as the menorah was lit. Once the first ceremonial candle had successfully obtained its flame, people sang and danced in celebration.
The Menorah is located directly underneath the Howell Township Municipal Building sign to the left, just before reaching the double doors to enter the premises. (Photo by Liz Ciocher)
“[Hanukkah] is a joyous holiday. We like to dance because we like to bring in as much fun and happiness as we can,” Rabbi Naparstek said.
Along with the ceremony, Rabbi Naparstek and some of his community members planned to visit other people that share in their same faith at their homes to spread the holiday cheer.
According to him, many of the residents in attendance at the Menorah lighting were visiting Howell Township from their colleges to be part of the ceremony.
With about 50 people in the audience and conductors of the ceremony, the efforts of Rabbi Naparstek and the fellow rabbis were successful.
“It’s great to see so many people come out and have fun at such a great ceremony,” said Fred Gasior, a member of the Howell Township Council. “Everyone did a really nice job at putting it together.”
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