UPDATE: This article has been updated to reflect the recent GoFundMe donations and the community event planned for Thursday afternoon. Shrewsbury police have also determined that the menorah was damaged by wind and rain.
SHREWSBURY – The menorah located at the Town Common has been destroyed.
Community members noticed the damage on the morning of Dec. 11. A Shrewsbury Police Department investigation determined that the menorah in the Town Common was damaged by wind and rain, not vandalized.
The community quickly rallied together in an effort to replace the menorah.
Sarah Fogelman and Rabbi Shmulik Fogelman – who run the Chabad of Shrewsbury – posted about the destruction on Facebook and set up a GoFundMe. Less than 24 hours later, the GoFundMe had raised over $3,600, surpassing the $2,500 goal.
“Chanukah is the holiday of triumph over adversity especially when the odds are stacked against us… to that end, it’s only halftime of Chanukah, day four of eight, it would be wonderful if we could come together as a community to purchase a… stronger menorah for the Town Common,” the GoFundMe reads.
In a brief phone call, Rabbi Shmulik Fogelman said he looks forward to having the bigger, better, stronger menorah delivered on Tuesday. On Monday night, Sarah Fogelman announced on Facebook that there would be an “even bigger and brighter” menorah lighting at the Town Common on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
