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By Harry Glazer, The Jewish Link

You’d be unsettled, too, if you noticed a police car trailing you as you drove home.

For Rabbi Shneur and Menucha Majeski, the directors of East Brunswick Chabad, the situation was also unnerving because they were exhausted. It was the first night of Chanukah; they’d spent the day at a family bas mitzvah and then visited a few local families to share the joy of the holiday. In addition, they heard about the tragedy that had just befallen a fellow Chabad shaliach and his community members in Australia. So they were understandably concerned by the unexpected attention from the police.

When the Majeskis pulled their menorah-topped car into their driveway, the East Brunswick police car was still behind them. Rabbi Majeski got out and asked the officer if everything was OK.

The officer’s answer surprised him. He told them he had a problem and needed their help.

As East Brunswick Police Officer Justin Schlusselfeld explained, he heard about the awful events in Sydney and felt that he really had to observe Chanukah this year. But he didn’t have the supplies to do so. He saw the menorah on their car and decided that they could likely help him.

The Majeski family was delighted to welcome the officer into their home. They invited him in, lit the menorah and recited the blessings together, and then shared doughnuts.

“It was profound divine providence that brought the Jewish police officer to our home,” Rabbi Majeski told The Jewish Link. On their way home that night, the Majeskis were talking about the Chanukah parade they had planned for Thursday night of that week and the fact that they had not been able to arrange a police escort. They told the officer about their dilemma and with his help, and that of Alan Wolkoff of the Young Israel of East Brunswick and East Brunswick Detective Grant Korten, by Wednesday—the day before the parade—they secured a police escort.

Rabbi Majeski added: “For our family, this story carried deeper meaning. Less than a century ago, police inspired fear for Jews; many grandparents had to hide or flee simply for practicing Torah. This Chanukah, a Jewish family was followed not to stop them, but to give a police officer the chance to perform a mitzvah—highlighting how far the world has come and offering a sign of closeness to Geula, when light, faith and unity are openly celebrated.”

Schlusselfeld told The Jewish Link: “I’m thankful that, even though it was a busy day, I was still able to light the menorah and continue the Chanukah practices. I’m not the most religious or observant Jew. But I really want to keep those traditions alive.”

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