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Home Byline Stories - News Westborough celebrates ‘Festival of the Lights’
  • Byline Stories - News
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Westborough celebrates ‘Festival of the Lights’

By
Community Advocate
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December 23, 2014
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    By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor

    Assisted by Fire Chief Nick Perron (l), Ben Frogel lights the menorah.
    Assisted by Fire Chief Nick Perron (l), Ben Frogel lights the menorah.

    Westborough – As a light snow fell, residents and town officials gathered Dec. 21 at the rotary to celebrate the sixth night of Hanukkah with the lighting of a nine-foot public menorah. The annual event is hosted by Chabad of Westborough.

    A greeting was offered to those in attendance by Rabbi Michoel Green, who thanked the town’s public safety officers for their support. He also thanked the Rotary Club of Westborough, who annually put up holidays lights on the rotary and in the downtown area.

    Green’s wife Dvora then read a letter that had been written in the 1980s that explained the significance of Hanukkah.

    George Barrette, chair of the Westborough Board of Selectmen, also addressed the audience and thanked Chabad for inviting him to the event. Barrette was accompanied by fellow selectmen Denny Drewry and Tim Dodd. Also in attendance were James Kane, the chair of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen, and his wife, Hannah and their three children and Shrewsbury resident Jason Palitsch, a government and public affairs specialist for Veterans Inc. Hannah Kane and Palitsch are both running for the state representative spot that will be vacated by Matthew Beaton next month.

    Siblings Rebecca and Ben Frogel led the gathering in a traditional song. Green then passed around the “Shamash” (the torch used to light the menorah) so that all “would feel included in the ceremony.” He invited Rebecca and Ben to light five candles on the menorah before Selectman Denny Drewry lit the sixth.

    After the lighting, everyone was invited to stay to enjoy some coffee and hot chocolate, which had been donated by Starbucks, as well as some baked goods.

    Chabad of Westborough also held a ceremony Dec. 17 in Shrewsbury to commemorate the start of Hanukkah.

    Often referred to as the “Festival of the Lights,” in Hebrew the word “hanukkah” means “dedication.” The holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.

    Friends - and political rivals - Hannah Kane and Jason Palitsch - pose for a photo in front of the menorah. The two are both running for the state representative spot that will be vacated by  Matthew Beaton next month.
    Friends – and political rivals – Hannah Kane and Jason Palitsch – pose for a photo in front of the menorah. The two are both running for the state representative spot that will be vacated by Matthew Beaton next month.
    Selectman Denny Drewry lights the final candle on the menorah.
    Selectman Denny Drewry lights the final candle on the menorah.
    (l to r) Rabbi Michoel Green, with siblings Rebecca and Ben Frogel, sing a traditional song.
    (l to r) Rabbi Michoel Green, with siblings Rebecca and Ben Frogel, sing a traditional song.
    The “Shamash” (the torch used to light the menorah) is passed around before the menorah is lit.
    The “Shamash” (the torch used to light the menorah) is passed around before the menorah is lit.
    George Barrette, the chair of the Westborough Board of Selectmen, along with Selectman Tim Dodd welcomes those gathered.
    George Barrette, the chair of the Westborough Board of Selectmen, along with Selectman Tim Dodd, welcomes those gathered.
    Former selectwoman Lydia Goldblatt addresses the gathering.
    Former selectwoman Lydia Goldblatt addresses the gathering.
    Dvora Green reads a letter that was written in the 1980s that explains the significance of Hanukkah.
    Dvora Green reads a letter that was written in the 1980s that explains the significance of Hanukkah.
    Rabbi Michoel Green addresses the gathering.
    Rabbi Michoel Green addresses the gathering.

    • TAGS
    • Ben Frogel
    • Bonnie Adams
    • Chabad of Westborough
    • Denny Drewry
    • Dvora Green
    • George Barrette
    • Hannah Kane
    • James Kane
    • Jason Palitsch
    • Nick Perron
    • Rabbi Michoel Green
    • Rebecca Fogel
    • Rotary Club of Westborough
    • Tim Dodd
    • Westborough Board of Selectmen
    • Westborough celebrates ‘Festival of the Lights’
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