Local residents celebrate Hanukkah at 27th anniversary of Warwick Menorah lighting
Warwick. And another surprise visit by Santa.
Warwick /
| 14 Dec 2020 | 08:59
For the 27th year in a row, Moshe Schwartzberg began the first night of Hanukkah by telling the story of how the Temple of Jerusalem was built and then how it was about to be rededicated following its recapture after occupation and defilement by the pagan Syrian-Greeks under Antiochus IV. Photos by Roger Gavan.
Before lighting the first candle Moshe Schwartzberg read the sacred prayers, first in English so that everyone would understand, and then in Hebrew, according to the tradition of the ceremony.
Following COVID-19 restrictions, a smaller crowd of about 20 residents, including local officials along with Santa, all wearing masks, gathered in Lewis Park as Moshe Schwartzberg, owner of Wolfie’s restaurant and Forever Jewelers, began officiating at the Menorah lighting of the first candle, a ceremony he has conducted for the past 27 years. (
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Moshe A-Schwartzberg welcomed another surprise visit by Santa wearing a clear mask.
Just like last year, the weather was cool but not uncomfortable on Thursday evening, Dec. 10, the first night of Hanukkah, the beginning of the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights.
But unlike last year and following COVID-19 restrictions, a smaller crowd of about 20 residents, including local officials along with Santa, all wearing masks, gathered outside Lewis Park as Moshe Schwartzberg, owner of Wolfie’s restaurant and Forever Jewelers, began officiating at the Menorah lighting of the first candle, a ceremony he has conducted for the past 27 years.
He began by telling the story of how the Temple of Jerusalem was built and then how it was about to be rededicated following its recapture after occupation and defilement by the pagan Syrian-Greeks under Antiochus IV.
A small band of fighters, led by Judah Maccabee, he explained, fought to preserve the Jewish religion and culture and their right to worship God.
Although greatly outnumbered by a much larger and more professional army they recaptured the Holy Temple, which had been defiled with idol worship and pagan sacrifices.
When the Maccabees sought to rededicate the temple, however, they found only one small cruse of oil to kindle the eternal light.
Miraculously, Schwartzberg explained, because God was pleased with what they had accomplished, the oil lasted for eight days. And that provided enough time for the holy oil to be replenished.
Before lighting the first candle he read the sacred prayers, first in English so that everyone would understand, and then in Hebrew, according to the tradition of the ceremony.
“Blessed are you Hashem our God King of the universe,” Schwartzberg read aloud, “who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season . . .”
And then he repeated in Hebrew, “Baruch ata Adonai.”
Visitors were later treated to refreshments including traditional latkes and donuts. Although not exactly a Hanukkah tradition, the crowd, especially the children, appeared to enjoy another surprise visit by Santa.
And pointing to the Crèche and Menorah sitting side by side and the lighted Christmas trees on the hill, Schwartzberg repeated his frequent comment: “The empty space is for the atheists.”