A Week of Fun and Community
Hanukkah at DSN was a beautiful reminder of what our community does best, bringing people together through meaningful and inclusive experiences for all ages.
The celebrations began on Monday, December fifteenth, with the highly anticipated Annual Hanukkah Bingo Night at the DSN Community Center. One of the most beloved programs of the year, this free event welcomes all families and truly embodies the spirit of unity. The evening featured a menorah lighting with Rabbi David Tawil and Rabbi Joey Dana, a festive photo booth, and a dairy dinner for all, along with an array of over one hundred exciting prizes that kept the energy high throughout the night. Infectious enthusiasm filled the room as DSN’s Executive Director, Sammy Sitt, once again served as master of ceremonies, making it a night to remember for everyone.
The festivities continued on Tuesday, December sixteenth, at the DSN Beach Club, where eighty women gathered for the Ladies Hanukkah Cards Extravaganza. With music and games in full swing and a lively gift exchange, the room buzzed with warmth and laughter. Canasta and mahjong enthusiasts enjoyed an abundance of themed prizes, while DSN generously provided donuts, latkes, and snacks. In the true spirit of Hanukkah, attendees also had the opportunity to drop off toys to be donated to SBH and other organizations supporting children in need, reinforcing that hesed is always at the heart of our community. Volunteer Chairperson for the event, Kelly Sabbagh, said, “Anyone who hasn’t spent a winter in Jersey can’t truly appreciate what it has become, a season filled with incredible programming by DSN and meaningful friendships that grow from it. Most special of all have been our Mahjong and Canasta Tuesdays, of which the Hanukkah Ladies Extravaganza was a natural extension. B”H (with G-D’s help), this is something we will continue every year.”
The next day, Wednesday, brought a double whammy of meaningful programming. Earlier in the day, DSN partnered with SBH to host a Senior Hanukkah Celebration, welcoming seventy seniors for a truly special experience. Guests enjoyed cookie decorating, live music by Dan the Sax Man, and a delicious lunch provided by PKS. Thanks to the generosity of Astor Accessories, seniors were gifted beautiful scarves and hats, adding an extra layer of warmth, both literal and figurative, to the celebration. DSN’s Stephanie Massry, speaking on behalf of herself and co-Senior Director Vicky Schreiber, shared, “We love what we do. This is a highlight of the year, to see all the seniors come together and enjoy such a beautiful celebration.”
Later that day, the DSN Beach Club welcomed parents and children for a hands-on sufganiyot (donuts) decorating event, where families bonded as children expressed their creativity by making their own donuts with an array of toppings, all in the joyful spirit of Hanukkah.
As the candles were lit throughout the week, DSN once again demonstrated its commitment to connection, kindness, and community. We can all use a little more light, and DSN is proud to help provide it, one celebration at a time.
Sammy Sitt summarized the week’s events, saying, “Hanukkah has always been one of the most impactful weeks of the year at DSN. We saw over one thousand people attending our Hanukkah events. It’s a credit to our amazing staff and volunteers. May Hashem continue to bless DSN to serve our growing community!”
