Do you think Hanukkah is all about candles, donuts, latkes, and endless rounds of dreidel? Sure, those are fun, but it’s also about grit, resilience, and fighting to keep the light alive—even when the odds are stacked against you. Sound familiar? That’s the same energy driving the work of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater MetroWest NJ (JHS).
While the menorah tells the story of oil that defied the impossible, our archives are full of stories that do the same. They preserve the miracles, struggles, and triumphs of this community—turning history into a torch that lights our way forward.
Why Archives Matter (Especially During Hanukkah)
Hanukkah is a celebration of perseverance, identity, and defying erasure. Those themes are baked into what JHS does every day. Our archives hold 600 collections bursting with artifacts that tell the story of how this community came to be—letters exchanged in times of war, photographs of menorahs glowing in new homes, and documents charting the growth of the Greater MetroWest Jewish community.
These aren’t just dusty relics. They’re the DNA of who we are. Without them, we risk forgetting the paths that brought us here and the lessons we learned along the way.
Think about it this way: Hanukkah teaches us that even a single jug of oil can spark a flame that lasts. The same is true of history. One story, one saved artifact, can illuminate generations.
Without preservation, these stories just disappear into thin air.
That’s why we’re committed to guarding them against the decay of time, ensuring they’re accessible to anyone who wants to learn, connect, or be inspired. So, this Hanukkah, while you’re lighting candles and soaking in their glow, think about the stories that have been passed down to you. The traditions, the recipes, the memories. Those are your archives. And just like the menorah, they need care and protection to keep shining.
This season, let’s commit to preserving our stories, celebrating our resilience, and ensuring that the sparks of the past continue to shine into the future.
Visit us at JHS to learn more, take a tour, and see firsthand how history and Hanukkah share the same unstoppable light.