Morris Township Mayor Jeff Grayzel will be stepping down in a few weeks. But on Thursday, he got one more chance to step up, lighting the 14-foot menorah on the Morristown Green.
“I’m a true believer that we have more in common than our differences as a people,” Grayzel said after his ride in a bucket loader.
“I really enjoy celebrations that bring people together, to show how we celebrate the special differences we have that make our community the special place it is,” he said.
Morristown police estimated 200 people came out for the hour-long Chanukah celebration, which featured basketball wizardry by former Harlem Globetrotter Kenny ‘The Blenda’ Rodriguez, and 3D glasses that made street lights look like dreidels invading from Mars.
As always, the doughnuts went fast.
The Rabbinical College of America and the Chabad Young Professionals of Morristown were hosts.
“We are very pleased to see the participation of the entire community, Jews and non-Jews as well,” said Rabbi Moshe Herson, president of the Rabbinical College in Morris Township.
He expressed faith in God to remove the novel coronavirus from our midst.
Rabbi Moishe Gurevitz of Chabad said Chanukah challenges people to illuminate the souls of those around us, a theme echoed by Levi Mintz, who dressed as a dreidel for the occasion.
“God gave us a mission, that anything we do makes the world a better place,” said Mintz, who hails from Crown Heights in Brooklyn.
Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty welcomed the crowd. He was joined by his wife Mary, Councilwoman Sandi Mayer, and town Democratic Chairman A.J. Oliver.
Grayzel was accompanied by his wife Lynn and son Alex, and by Morris Township Committeeman Bud Ravitz.
