The Town of Saugus observes Chanukah

Crowd gathers on front lawn at Town Hall for the Fourth Annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony

By Laura Eisener

This year’s Menorah Lighting was held in Saugus Center at 4 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 15). Board of Selectmen Chair Deb Panetta welcomed all of the visitors to the celebration. Town officials present included Town Manager Scott Crabtree, Planning Board Vice Chair Jeannie Meredith, and in addition to Deb Panetta herself, Selectmen Michael Serino, Jeff Ciccolini and Anthony Cogliano.

Maureen Appel, president of Congregation Ahavas Sholom of Saugus, as well as president of the sisterhood, spoke about the significance of the menorah representing “the light to block out darkness” as the sun set behind the crowd. A moment of silence was observed for the victims of two mass shootings this past weekend — one at Brown University in Rhode Island that left two people dead and nine injured, and one in Sydney, Australia, that specifically targeted a Chanukah celebration and left 15 people dead — as well as the stabbing deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. Rabbi Sruly Brook, who serves the Chabad of Wakefield, spoke a few words while holding his young daughter Dusia. Religious leader Michael Simons, a resident of Burlington, Mass., who has been serving Saugus’ Ahavas Sholom for 28 of its 100 years, also spoke about the importance of this holiday. Retired Saugus Cliftondale Congregational Church Pastor Dr. Bob Leroe reminded the crowd that “Chanukah is not a form of Christmas, it’s a separate celebration” and one that Christians as well as Jews could easily celebrate together. Randy-Sue Abber, vice president of the sisterhood of Ahavas Sholom, ceremonially lit the candle at this year’s celebration.

Saugus TV cameraman Clark Moulaison filmed the event, so it can soon be seen on the Saugus TV channel as well as on You Tube in the near future.

Given the very chilling temperatures, the crowd was appreciative of the traditional jelly doughnuts and hot chocolate, which had been provided by Scott Crabtree and Jeannie Meredith. Present on the occasion were several members of the sisterhood of Ahavas Sholom of Saugus, a few visitors from other towns and Saugus residents of a wide range of faiths.

Chanukah officially began at dusk Sunday evening and will continue until dusk on December 22 this year. A new light will be lit each night near sundown until all nine are glowing on the final day — the “helper,” or shamash candle, is lit along with the first candle representing the first night, then one additional candle on each of the succeeding nights. The lights symbolize the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days instead of only one.