New Jersey’s largest Chanukah menorah, which was supposed to be lit for the first night of Chanukah, was damaged after it fell over and hit a traffic signal on Wednesday in Monroe Township, police said.
The giant aluminum menorah, which stood 32-feet tall and 21-feet wide, was sponsored and erected by the Chabad Jewish Center in the township. The menorah was supposed to be lit in a public ceremony on Friday by two local Holocaust survivors at a park on Perrineville Road.
Police said the Middlesex County Road Department was sent to make repairs after a road obstruction was reported at 6:57 a.m. on Wednesday. At that time, wind and heavy rain caused downed wires and trees in the area.
Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky of the Chabad Jewish Center said he did not suspect foul play, and was alerted to the incident this morning.
“I would have liked it to be up for the first night of Chanukah,” said Zaklikovsky.
He said welding repairs are being made to the menorah.
The menorah was modeled after the national menorah in Washington, D.C., which stands at the Ellipse Park.
{Star Ledger/Matzav.com Newscenter}
