Cherry Hill residents will have the chance to get into the Guinness Book of World Records and raise money for local seniors.
Jewish Federation Housing Associates, an agency within the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, is hosting Menorah Mania on Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Jewish Federation Annex on Springdale Road. At the event, visitors will take part in trying to set a new Guinness World Record for largest human menorah.
Alison Platt-Tarnopol previously served as president of the Jewish Federation Housing Associates and has helped organize this year’s event. She said the organization wanted to raise money for the Jewish Federation Housing and felt attempting to set a world record would be a unique way to do it.
“What we really wanted to do was reach out to the community and show them the needs of our seniors,” Platt-Tarnopol said.
There is no record for largest human Menorah. Guinness World Records will include JFHA’s attempt if they have at least 250 people participate.
The federation’s goal is to not only raise money, but also raise awareness about the organization and the 350 seniors living in the Saltzman, Bernard Dubin and Gesher Houses.
“Our goal is to help them as much as we can,” Platt-Tarnopol said. “We wanted to bring awareness not just to seniors but to the entire community.”
This fundraiser will be key to providing services to the federation’s senior residents. In the past, proceeds from fundraising have provided programs and services. The federation has been able to purchase a wheelchair-accessible bus and hosts a variety of programs and events, including computer classes, exercise activities, holiday celebrations, musical entertainers, Shabbat dinners and local trips.
“We offer things that will enhance their quality of life,” Platt-Tarnopol said.
A lot of the funds the federation has raised in the past have come from membership drives and smaller fundraisers. Platt-Tarnopol said Menorah Mania is the federation’s effort to reach out to the entire community. The federation is hoping to get at least 500 people to participate.
“Anybody can participate and everyone is participating,” Platt-Tarnopol said. “It’s shaping up to be huge.”
Platt-Tarnopol said she is hoping participants will learn more about the federation’s senior residents and may reach out to volunteer in the future.
“We also want to friend-raise,” she said.
Menorah Mania will kick off at 12:30 p.m. There will be a DJ providing music and some food trucks selling lunch. The world record attempt will take place later in the afternoon. Participants will be assigned a spot on a large menorah graphic laid out on the ground. An aerial photo will be taken once everyone is in place.
The federation is asking participants to register for Menorah Mania in advance. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 for children 12 years old and under. Business and organizations can also sponsor one of the menorah candles.
To register for the event, visitwww.jshhs.org/content/menorah-mania. For more information, call (856) 667–6826 ext. 1.
