The Menorah Lighting

Crowd gathers at Saugus Town Hall for ceremony to welcome Chanukah, which lasts through sundown tonight

By Laura Eisener

This year’s menorah lighting on the Town Hall lawn was held Thursday, Dec. 7, before nightfall on the first evening of Chanukah. The ceremony was opened by Selectman Deb Panetta, with a welcome message from Cliftondale Congregational Church’s retired pastor Bob Leroe, followed by an address and singing of traditional prayers by Cantor Craig Mael of Winthrop. Cantor Mael referred to each night’s candle as “one little light to keep us warm” as the holiday commemorates one day’s worth of oil which miraculously lasted for eight days.

This year the first candle was lit by Maureen Appel of Saugus. Members of Saugus Congregation Ahavas Sholom, Town Manager Scott Crabtree, selectmen and other Saugus officials, many members of the community and guests from nearby towns attended the ceremony. On the cold afternoon, all were warmed by the community feeling and by complementary coffee, hot chocolate, doughnuts and muffins.

The menorah itself was provided by Chabad of the North Shore. Chanukah lasts until sundown tonight, Friday, December 15, with a new candle lit each night.

This marked the second consecutive year of the Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the front lawn outside Saugus Town Hall in what town officials, community and faith leaders hope will continue as an annual holiday tradition.

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