'We are thrilled': Gelt drop from 75-foot crane starts Hanukkah event at Mall at Fox Run

Karen Dandurant, Fosters Daily Democrat
·2 min read

NEWINGTON — Silver and gold chocolate coins rained down from the top of a fire truck ladder Sunday, to the delight of the many children gathered to celebrate the start of Hanukkah.

Chanukah at the Mall was hosted by the UNH & Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center of Durham.

"We are thrilled to be back this year," said Rabbi Berel Slavaticki, noting the event was held in 2019 but canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. "I welcome every single person here today."

Kids scramble to retrieve gold and silver chocolate coins after they were dropped from a fire truck ladder Sunday beginning a Hanukkah celebration at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington Sunday Nov. 28, 2021.
Kids scramble to retrieve gold and silver chocolate coins after they were dropped from a fire truck ladder Sunday beginning a Hanukkah celebration at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington Sunday Nov. 28, 2021.

The coins are called gelt, the Hebrew word for money, and a traditional part of the giving of gifts for the eight days of Hanukkah. Dreidel games and other crafts were also part of the event. A menorah was lighted for the first night of Hanukkah's eight nights and will remain on display at the mall.

Hanukkah: Seacoast Jewish community celebrates the triumph of light over darkness

Rachel Nash, 6, of Exeter tried her hand at making dreidels. Her little sister Sofie, 4, apparently found this pretty funny at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington Sunday Nov. 28, 2021.
Rachel Nash, 6, of Exeter tried her hand at making dreidels. Her little sister Sofie, 4, apparently found this pretty funny at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington Sunday Nov. 28, 2021.

Known as the “festival of lights,” Hanukkah is celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried food such as latke (potatoes). This year, Hanukkah began Nov. 28 and runs through Dec. 6.

Newington firefighter Alexandria Gorski drops gelt (candy coins) to cheering children at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington Sunday Nov. 28, 2021.
Newington firefighter Alexandria Gorski drops gelt (candy coins) to cheering children at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington Sunday Nov. 28, 2021.

"Not so long ago, we had to hide to light the menorah," Slavaticki said. "Today, we celebrate our traditions proudly here on the Seacoast."

It was a day of celebration for everyone, but particularly for children. Treats, games and crafts were set up in the mall for them to enjoy

Who could resist such a display of chocolate doughnuts? Not Ben Zippin, 8, of Stratham.
Who could resist such a display of chocolate doughnuts? Not Ben Zippin, 8, of Stratham.

"We are all the light," Slavaticki said. "We all have the ability to light someone else, to do our part. Every day, we light one another."

Members of the Newington Fire Department said they enjoyed coming out to drop chocolate coins for the kids.

Ken Kowalchek, left, of Hampton, prepares to light the menorah as Rabbi Berel Slavaticki talks about the history and tradition of the Hanukkah ritual at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington Sunday Nov. 28, 2021.
Ken Kowalchek, left, of Hampton, prepares to light the menorah as Rabbi Berel Slavaticki talks about the history and tradition of the Hanukkah ritual at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington Sunday Nov. 28, 2021.

"It's nice," said Lt. Brandon Lisowski. "We did it a couple of years ago, so it was good to be able to do it again this year."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Gelt drop from 75-foot crane starts Hanukkah event at Mall at Fox Run