The man who lights the first candle

WARWICK — On Sunday, Feb. 24, the Jewish community in Warwick and throughout the world had another opportunity since Hanukkah to celebrate a traditional holiday.

Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther. And like Hanukkah and the lighting of the Menorah, Purim is a festive occasion.

In the famous and award-winning Broadway musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” Tevye attempts to maintain his family and Jewish religious traditions while outside influences are trying to lead his five daughters in a different direction.

The song, “Tradition,” is the theme of the play.

And when you ask Warwick businessman Moshe Schwartzberg why he’s been officiating at the annual Menorah lighting for almost 20 years, his answer is like Tevye’s: “Tradition.”

In 1994, Schwartzberg, owner of Forever Jewelers and then president of the Warwick Merchant Guild, began officiating at a Menorah lighting in Railroad Green.

The park at that time was privately owned and also served as the site of the annual Christmas Tree lighting, a Nativity scene and Santa’s Workshop.

Family
In 2003, the tree at Railroad Green, now a Village park, had been removed during its rebuilding and the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony along with the Menorah and the Nativity Scene moved to Lewis Park, courtesy of the Town of Warwick Historical Society. The organization owns the park, which is also the site of a tall evergreen outside the historic Old School Baptist MeetingHouse.

Every year, since those early days, Schwartzberg and his wife, Doris, and their daughters Sarah and Amy have continued to improve the celebration adding music, children’s games and serving traditional potato latkes.

With the exception of those times when the weather was extraordinarily bad, attendance has grown each year. And recently, Schwartzberg decided to hold the Menorah lighting outdoors as usual but then invite all attendees to enjoy the Hanukkah celebration in the comfort of his new and more spacious store on Main Street.

In the past several years Rabbi Meir Borenstein, a welcome visitor from the Chabad Center of Orange County, has attended the Warwick ceremony, bringing jelly donuts and song sheets.

But Schwartzberg still lights the first candle.

And if there are many children at the event, he explains the religious significance of the festival in words that they can understand by using terms like “the good guys” and “the bad guys.”

Faith and community
Schwartzberg does not describe himself as particularly religious but he does believe faith and tradition are important for the community.

“Imagine how things would be if everyone simply obeyed the Commandment,” he said.

Schwartzberg was born in Tel Aviv and emigrated from Israel to the United States with his parents in 1965.

“My father, who became a US citizen, waited five years to come here,” he said, “And in those days he had to have a job ready for him before he could enter the Country.”

Schwartzberg, who had learned the jewelry business as a wholesaler in New York City, moved to Warwick with his family 32 years ago and became a successful business owner. He headed the merchant Guild for three years in the 1990s and during that time actively sought to improve the viability of the downtown district by championing special events. Schwartzberg originated the idea of posting enclosed business directory cabinets for the convenience of visitors. The original directory is on the front of the WVT Communications building on Main Street. He also spearheaded the improvement of the crosswalk markings and stricter observance of the law, which requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians.

“I saw one of my customers crossing the street towards my shop,” he said. “She was running like a scared animal and I knew we had to do something about that.”

New sleigh for Santa
Schwartzberg’s interest in preserving faith and tradition goes beyond the annual Menorah lighting.

In 1997 his wife, Doris, designed an all-new sleigh for Santa Claus.

“I enjoyed the Christmas Tree lighting and all the holiday traditions,” said Schwartzberg. “We had a Santa’s Workshop in the park and I thought we should also have a sleigh where children could have their photos taken with Santa. I bought some lumber and built it. Then Doris painted it.”

It was a testimony to the ecumenical spirit in Warwick, also exemplified by contractor and master carpenter John Tinnirello, a Catholic, who passed away last year. He built the wooden Menorah now on display in Lewis Park.

“I like the holidays to be inclusive for everyone” said Schwartzberg. “We even have something in Lewis Park for the atheists - the empty space.”

- Roger Gavan