Around our community

From left, Jacob Herman, 8, Penina Kirscher, 15, Liam Leibowitz, 10, and Yehoshua Danzger, 7, competed in the kids’ division in the annual Teaneck latke-eating contest at Noah’s Ark.

Josh Lipowsky, contributing writer to the Jewish Standard, third from right in white hat, was this year’s adult champion in the annual latke-eating contest. This year’s event was held at Noah’s Ark in Teaneck on New Year’s Day, the last night of Chanukah. (Photos courtesy Brenda Sutcliffe)

Ron Rosensweig, center, chair of the Jewish Federation Community Relations Committee, lights a candle at Bergen County’s annual menorah lighting ceremony as Rabbi Mordecai Kanefsky of Bris Avrohom, left, and James Tedesco, Bergen County Executive, watch. (Courtesy Federation)

Temple Beth El of Northern Valley held its 20th annual “101 Menorahs” Shabbat on December 30. A festive oneg with sufganiyot followed. (Courtesy TBENV)

Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn offered Chanukah Night Live, a party for adults. Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman, left, lit the Grey Goose menorah with Alex Buz of Ridgewood. (Courtesy Bris Avrohom)

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie lit the shamash candle at a fifth-day Chanukah ceremony in the Trenton Statehouse. Mark Levenson, N.J. Israel Commission chair, and Rabbis Shmuley Boteach of Englewood and Steven Pruzansky of Teaneck also attended. (Courtesy Chabad)

Olivia Hausman and Rabbi Ken Stern of Congregation Gesher Shalom/JCC Fort Lee were among the congregants and leaders who lit the Fort Lee menorah in the center of town on the first night of Chanukah. (Courtesy Gesher Shalom)