Rabbi praises new policy. Hanukkah menorah
Photo: Ronen Yules
NJ allows menorahs in jail for Hanukkah
According to uniform policy, authorized volunteer religious leaders or prison staff will light candles with inmates present
Jewish inmates in New Jersey state prisons will be allowed to use menorahs for Hanukkah
this year.
Religious Freedom?
Lawyers for imprisoned Jewish man convicted of murder argue in court that his religious freedom is being violated
The state Corrections Department unveiled a Hanukkah policy last week. Corrections spokesman Matt Schuman says this is the first time there's a uniform policy.
Previously, most prisons were uncomfortable with allowing real candles. Now, authorized volunteer religious leaders or prison staff will light candles with inmates present.
Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum of the Rabbinical College of America-Lubavitch is praising the new policy, saying it shows the Corrections Department is sensitive to inmates' religious needs.
Hanukkah begins December 8 this year.
