Car Parade For Hanukkah Celebration Set In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Hanukkah celebration and menorah lighting is planned Monday evening and will start with a parade of cars topped with lighted menorahs, officials said.

The event is sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Center Toms River, and is scheduled to start about 5 p.m. with the parade departing from American Legion Post 129 on Church Road and finishing at the Ramada on Route 9 in Toms River, where a giant menorah will be lit in a ceremony that begins at 6 p.m.

"While typically, we’re able to invite Ocean County's community to join our Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony at Ocean County Mall, this year we are inviting them to participate in safely bringing Hanukkah to the homes of those unable to attend due to coronavirus," said Rabbi Moshe Gourarie, director of Chabad Toms River. "The Car Menorah Parade is a perfect way for Toms River’s Jewish community to show our Jewish pride and celebrate Hanukkah during the pandemic."

The parade is anticipated to draw several dozen participants. It is scheduled to depart from the American Legion and head east on Church Road, then south on Hooper Avenue to Route 37 west, to Old Freehold Road north to the Ramada. The menorah lighting and a Hanukkah concert will be held in the rear parking lot of the Ramada.

It will be "a Grand Drive-In Menorah Lighting and Celebration, where to keep everyone safe, participants will join from the warmth and safety of their cars for a streaming Chanukah experience, including the live lighting of a giant Hanukkah menorah," the Chabad said.

The car menorah parade is part of the worldwide Hanukkah campaign launched by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson in 1973 and highlights publicizing the story of the Hanukkah miracle and the victory of light over darkness, "a message of hope greatly needed today," the Chabad said.

Chabad Toms River will also be hosting a Zoom menorah lighting at Toms River's on Tuesday, with Mayor Maurice Hill and other town officials. Due to Covid-19 participants will join in via Zoom to take part in the holiday celebration.

For more information about Hanukkah and a local schedule of events visit Chabad.org/Hanukkah.

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