What an amazing Shomrei Hanukkah Party!  The moment the smell of frying latkes made its way around the building, I knew this was going to be an exciting night.  The JLC 7th grade students started the night off with a bang, with their homemade Hanukkah games and enthusiasm.  Children of all ages enjoyed pinning the tail on the menorah and trying to knock over large Hanukkah candles in the bean bag toss station.  We made edible menorahs and spun dreidels in paint, too, which made some beautiful designs.

The Simcha Band got everyone in the mood with their festive music, and they quickly drew a large crowd of curious children, clapping and dancing giddily to the music.  Families all enjoyed the delicious nosh and appreciated time to catch up with new and old friends.  The room was packed with children and adults, representing a variety of groups at Shomrei, including the Preschool, JLC, STOM, congregants, and friends of the Shomrei community.

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At the conclusion of the band’s first set, we danced our way into the Sanctuary for a beautiful candle lighting ceremony led by Rabbi David Greenstein.  The glow of the hanukkiyot filled the sanctuary with such a warm light, and it was beautiful to watch so many families come together and celebrate.

Nicki Radzely (L) Michelle Glasser (R) on the Latke Crew!

The evening ended with the reveal of piping hot latkes, thanks to Leon Berman, John Lasiter, and Andy Silver.  They were aided by Michelle Glasser and Nicki Radzely too, both preschool parents eager to help!  This celebration would not have been possible without the countless volunteers who helped throughout the day and night:  Aylah Winter, Bridget Placek, Lisa Pendola, Holly Hahn, Sarah Kravits, Seth Brown, Dawn Berman, the JLC 7th grade, and STOM students.  Many thanks also to Jorge and Carlos for all their hard work, Marge Wise, Sara Birnbaum, and Rabbi Greenstein.

It was a beautiful way to demonstrate the strength of our community and the warmth of this holiday, all with one great event.

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Heather Brown

Heather feels right at home at Shomrei, having served as the Preschool Director since 2013.With a Masters Degree in Jewish Education, Heather has worked for over 10 years with everyone from toddlers to adults and most enjoys connecting with families and building relationships.Heather lives in West Orange with her husband Seth and their children Dov and Batya, where they can often be found hiking and exploring the great outdoors.

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