Members of Congregation Beth El once again made the day of commuters by handing out traditional sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and coffee for Hanukkah at the South Orange train station Tuesday morning.
Congregation Beth El members give doughnuts to commuters for Hanukkah
“We gave out over 125 jelly doughnuts and over 200 cups of coffee and thank Cait and Abby’s bakery for supplying [them],” said Rabbi Jesse Olitzky.
Olitzky continued, “We do this as a gift to the community, to bring a smile and holiday cheer to commuters on their way to work. The jelly doughnut, sufganiyah in Hebrew (sufganiyot in plural), is a common Hanukkah food. Foods that are fried or cooked in oil are common because we acknowledge the miracle of the oil of the Menorah — relit by the Maccabees in the Temple that once stood in Jerusalem – lasting for eight days.”
“Jewish tradition teaches that on Hanukkah, more so than any other Jewish holiday, we should ‘publicize the miracle.’ We do that by spreading holiday cheer and sharing the joy of Hanukkah. We do that as well by giving out doughnuts and coffee!”
