Menorah lighting set for Dec. 6

FREEHOLD - The Freehold Center Partnership will host its annual Hanukkah menorah lighting celebration at 5 p.m. Dec. 6. The lighting of the menorah commemorates the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC after the temple had been profaned by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of Syria.

The holiday is associated with the miracle of the oil. It is believed that the Jews had just enough oil to last one day, but the oil lasted and burned for eight days. Thus began the tradition of lighting the menorah candles for eight days as this mirrors the miracle of the holiday.

The menorah (candalabra) lighting will be presided over by Rabbi Kenneth Greene of the Freehold Jewish Center. David Amar, the cantor from the temple, will be on hand to lead attendees in holiday songs. Also performing will be students from the Freehold Jewish Center's Hebrew school.

The Chabad House of Marlboro will supply the giant menorah which is on display at the Monmouth County Hall Records plaza, Main Street, through the holiday season. The menorah lighting will take place at the Hall of Records plaza.

Other special events scheduled for December by the partnership are the Freehold Comcast Holiday Concert on Dec. 7; Santa's Train on Dec. 15; Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 18; and a caroling hayride on Dec. 21.

For more information on this or other upcoming events, contact the partnership at (732) 462-3584 or check the Web site at www.freeholdcenter.com.