This time, it wasn't freezing.

Last year, the temperature was in the frigid 20s. This year, the menorah lighting in Ricalton Square enjoyed relatively balmy 40s. There were even a few people who came in shorts.

Rabbi Bogilmisky of the Maplewood Jewish Center led the celebration by first explaining to the assembled crowd the story behind Hanukkah and the miracle of the oil. As he spoke, one of hs daughters handed out candles to everyone in the crowd. The purpose of the gesture was to share the light of the celebration with all.

Once everyone was holding a lit candle, Rabbi Bogilmisky asked Mayor Vic De Luca, who attended along with Vice Mayor Kathy Leventhal, to light the shamash candle on the menorah. As each of the three candles were lit — the lighting took place on the third night of Hanukkah — the rabbi lead the crowd in the blessing. After the lighting, blessings turned to music such as the Dreidel Song, and latkes and chocolate gelt were passed around.

One other point to note: The menorah stands between the town Christmas tree, a Nativity scene and the perennial Dickens' Village. If you look closely on the shelves of the Olde Curiosity Shoppe in Dickens Village, you'll notice two boxes of Hanukkah candles.

Only in Maplewood!