Congregation Kol Am and the Jewish Heritage Museum came together to celebrate their anniversaries during Hanukkah.

On Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6:45 pm, the congregation and museum members gathered at at Mounts Corner Shopping Center in Freehold Township to light the third candle of a giant menorah.

Congregation Kol Am is celebrating its 10^th anniversary, and the Jewish Heritage Museum opened to the public five years ago. The congregation and museum both nurture the appreciation of local Jewish history.

Rabbi Brooks Susman has the distinction of being the founding rabbi of Congregation Kol Am as well as a member of the Museum’s initial board of directors.

Susman led the blessing Thursday for kindling Hanukkah lights.  The Jewish Heritage Museum offered free admission after lighting the menorah, and the Congregation Kol Am adult choir performed songs such as “Sevivon,” “Chanukah O Chanukah” and “Rock of Ages” inside. 

Staff members of the Jewish Heritage Museum explained the museum’s interactive games to children and answered questions regarding the Jewish Experience in Pictures exhibit. The children of Congregation Kol Am, like Billy Sebor and Sage Fusco, also celebrated the holiday at religious school by making Lego menorahs.