Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook has it raining gelt

Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook invited the Northbrook Fire Department, public officials and anyone else who wanted to come to its Great Big Chanukah Gelt Drop.

It definitely was big at the event Dec. 1, held just after sundown. A big fire truck. A giant menorah. Loads of gelt.

"The joy and excitement of both children and adults from all segments of the Northbrook community was palpable," said Meir Moscowitz, Chabad at Northbrook senior rabbi and the regional director of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois.

Outside the Chabad, 2095 Landwehr Road, Northbrook Fire Engine No. 12 extended its long ladder over a crowd of children as a firefighter rained down hundreds of gelt, the Yiddish word for money. The "money" actually was chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, but it continued a centuries-old Hanukkah tradition.

Joining Moscowitz and scores of people at the event were Northbrook Village Manager Kathryn Ciesla, Northfield Township Supervisor Shiva Mohsenzadeh, Northbrook Trustee Bob Israel and Northbrook Police Chief Christopher Kennedy.

Striding a ladder with a torch, they also participated in the lighting of a Grand Menorah on the grounds outside the church.

"The menorah reminds us that we should always aspire to increase in the positive things that we do," Moscowitz said. "If you did one good deed yesterday, do two today and so on, and always be growing and improving."