Region celebrates the ‘Festival of Lights’  

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Region celebrates the ‘Festival of Lights’  
(l to r) Mindy Hall, Selectman John Lebeaux, Selectman Beth Casavant and Rabbi Michol Green, with his children, celebrate the first night of Chanukah in Shrewsbury.
Photo/Melanie Petrucci

Region – Shrewsbury officials and residents gathered at the Shrewsbury Town Common Dec. 12 to celebrate the first night of Chanukah with a public menorah lighting. The event was once again sponsored by the Chabad of Westborough.

Another menorah lighting will occur Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the rotary located in downtown Westborough.

Both sites will display a nine-foot menorah throughout the holiday, which began at sundown on Dec. 12 and will continue through Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Chabad of Westborough’s Chanukah celebrations always includes delicious holiday refreshments including Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins), doughnuts, and hot cocoa. Dreidels are also given out. As has been done in past years, coffee is sponsored by Starbucks of Westborough, and live Chanukah music helps to enhance the event.  Admission is free and open to all members of the community.

“We are looking forward to seeing everyone in the community for these annual events,” said Dvora Green, Chabad spokesperson and coordinator. “We will welcome the Chanukah spirit into the community together.”

The lighting of the Chanukah menorah commemorates the ancient miracle of the Maccabees’ victory over the Syrian-Greek Empire. According to Jewish tradition, when the Maccabees reentered the Temple Mount after regaining their independence, they found that it had been desecrated and vandalized. They wanted to rededicate the sanctuary by lighting the candelabra, but could only find one single jar of pure oil that had not been tampered with. A miracle occurred and the small quantity of oil burned for eight days, hence the eight-day Festival of Lights.

For Green, the message of the menorah is especially relevant this year.

“In present times we have witnessed a proliferation of darkness, intolerance and hatred. What better way to respond than to stand up tall and proud and celebrate the light of the menorah which symbolizes freedom from oppression and freedom of religious expression, the very values upon which our nation was founded,” she said. “The enduring lights of the menorah remind us that good will triumph over evil, just as light dispels the darkness.”

For more information call 508-366-0499 or email [email protected].

 

 

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