SAUGUS — The town had its menorah lighting on Monday afternoon, where Rabbi Sruly Brook from Chabad of Wakefield spoke of the importance of casting light onto the world during Hanukkah.
The ceremony began with Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta wishing everyone a Happy Hanukkah.
“The menorah has biblical origins and serves as a reminder (of) the Jewish people’s enduring spirit and cultural identity,” she said.
Panetta then introduced Maureen Appel of the Congregation Ahavas Sholom, stating that it is the 100th anniversary of the congregation.
“This is a holiday that celebrates the light to block out darkness. And God only knows we need it this year, especially in light of all the antisemitic activities we see, not only in this country, but in places like Australia,” Appel said.
She said she hopes for peace in all the world and “light and only light, no darkness.”
When the lighting of the menorah began, spiritual leader Michael Simons led everyone in prayer.
Former pastor of Cliftondale Congregational Church and Army Chaplain Bob Leroe then spoke.
“Hanukkah is not a Jewish version of Christmas. It is a separate and unique festival. And since Christians, our roots are Jewish, it’s appropriate to add Hanukkah to our celebration,” Leroe said.
He continued that Hanukkah meant dedication, consecration, and inauguration.
“The celebration is referred to as the festival of lights and the feast of dedication. It is a festival of spiritual renewal celebrating the power of God and the preservation of the Jewish nation,” he said. “Hanukkah stands for standing up for what you believe and defending the freedom of worship.”
Before the ceremony ended, Appel held a moment of silence for those who lost their lives during the Hanukkah celebration on Sunday at Bondi Beach in Australia, where two gunmen opened fire, killing at least 15 people. They also held a moment of silence for the Brown University school shooting.
Perhaps the most powerful words came from Brook, who told the story of the miracle of the oil and the importance of shining light right now.
“We are very conflicted, and we feel conflicting emotions at the same time. On one hand, it’s Hanukkah. It’s the most joyous holiday of the year. On the other hand, we feel that we have just been attacked,” Brook said in reference to the mass shooting at Bondi Beach. “And even though the attack happened in Australia, we all feel it deeply over here. And the emotions are confusing.”
Brook said that one thing is clear from the story of Hanukkah, and it stems from when the Jewish people gathered in the Holy Temple and saw the destruction.
“What did they do? They didn’t have enough oil to light for eight days. They only had enough for one day. So why couldn’t they just wait the eight days until new oil came? They said, ‘No, we have an opportunity to bring light, even in the face of destruction, even when we don’t know what the outcome will be. We have the responsibility, as the Jewish people, to bring light and positivity into the world,'” Brook said.
That oil then burned for eight days, giving time for more oil to be produced and leading to the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah.
“That’s the idea as well today. We have a responsibility to do good, to bring kindness, never to fight darkness with darkness, but to fight darkness with light and to remember that every human being is created in the image of God, with a mission in this world to bring kindness and goodness to this world,” he said.
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A menorah with "Happy Chanukah" sits on top of a car during Saugus' menorah lighting.
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Ruth Berg wears a "Happy Hanukah" headband to Saugus' menorah lighting on Monday.
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Maureen Appel, president of Congregation Ahavas Sholom of Saugus, wear dreidel pins during Saugus' menorah lighting ceremony.
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Saugus Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Deborah Penetta welcomes people to the menorah lighting in front of Saugus Town Hall.
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Maureen Appel, president of Congregation Ahavas Sholom of Saugus, speaks during the town's menorah lighting ceremony on Monday.
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Rabbi Sruly Brook, of Chabad of Wakefield, holds his daughter, Dusia, as he speaks about the meaning of Hanukah during Saugus' menorah lighting ceremony on Monday.
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Saugus spiritual leader Michael Simons speaks about the meaning of Hanukah during Saugus' menorah lighting ceremony on Monday.
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A large menorah is lit on the front lawn of Saugus Town Hall.
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Rabbi Sruly Brook, of Chabad of Wakefield, holds his daughter, Dusia, as he tries to take a selfie during Saugus' menorah lighting ceremony.
