MARBLEHEAD — Approximately 200 members of the Marblehead community gathered to celebrate Hanukkah with light, music, and a powerful message of resilience on the fifth night.
Residents, faith leaders, town officials, and families came together for the town’s public menorah lighting, transforming a public space into a moment of unity, courage, and shared hope.
The celebration came at a time when many Jewish communities across the world are feeling heightened concern due to rising antisemitism.
Rabbi Jenn Mangold, senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, spoke about the significance of lighting the Hanukkiah publicly.
She explained that Hanukkah is a symbol of light and joy, and that celebrating openly sends a message that hatred and bigotry will not prevail. “Our light will continue,” she said, stressing that friendship, love, and community are stronger than fear.
“This is huge that we’re here tonight celebrating our Judaism in the public sphere and not hiding and being afraid, but being out here and still uplifting our values and our traditions during the dark times, it’s so critical,” she said.
“The light will prevail through the darkness, and that’s what being here is all about. Our light will continue during these times, and hatred and ignorance and anti-Semitism will not win. That our light will win,” she added.
Coree Dovev, who was attending with her family, said, “I think it’s just really important for the whole community to come together and support each other during these difficult times.”
Town leaders also addressed the crowd, highlighting Marblehead’s long-standing commitment to standing up for one another.
In an interview, Chair of the Select Board Dan Fox said, “It’s great that we’re doing this … It’s great to be here and that the National Grand Bank helps support this.”
Families with children filled the crowd, and music from choirs and young singers added warmth to the evening.
Several speakers reflected on what they called “small miracles” — the support of local police ensuring safety, the presence of community partners and sponsors, and the simple act of neighbors choosing to stand together.
Rabbi Schwartz referenced the well-known words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., reminding attendees that “only light can drive out the darkness, only love can drive out hate.”
Mara Mendelsohn, who said she works for the Jewish Journal, said she appreciated the town wide support.
“I grew up in Marblehead. We never had an event like this. We never had community lightings anywhere that I know of in any of the communities, and I think it’s wonderful,” she said.
The original creator of the town-wide menorah lighting, which is now in its third year, Helaine Hazlett, was also in attendance.
She was the first woman to serve as president of the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore. She also served as president of the former Temple Beth El when it merged with Temple Israel in Swampscott. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination, which she also founded.
She said she hopes the lighting will be as important as the Christmas walk to the greater community.
“With antisemitism at an all-time high, it’s very important that we do this. We Jews are not afraid – we are worried and concerned, but we are not afraid. We must live our lives,” she said.
