- By Jessica Valeriani jvaleriani@andovertownsman.com
Dec 6, 2018
ANDOVER — Dozens of people gathered around the gazebo outside Town Offices Monday night to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah and light the first public menorah in town.
Rabbi Asher Bronstein of Chabad Lubavitch, as well as town officials and Andover residents, observed as the menorah illuminated The Park.
After the blessings were sung, Andover police Chief Patrick Keefe lit the helper candle, and State Sen.-elect Barry Finegold lit the second candle to represent night two of the week-long celebration. Bronstein, Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan, and Board of Selectmen Chairman Alex Vispoli accompanied them in the gazebo.
Bronstein, whose ancestors were from Poland and Russia and whose parents were Holocaust survivors, said he wanted to do something new for the town and the Jewish community this Hanukkah season. His parents, born in Russia, escaped to freedom in 1946 when they were children.
“Every religion should be able to be publicly celebrated,” he said. “There should be nothing to hide.”
The menorah lighting was accompanied by music and traditional Jewish desserts and coffee. Those in attendance were bundled in winter hats and jackets, as they watched the winter sun go down as the light from the menorah brightened up.
“With the right connections, this became an unbelievable thing so Jewish people can celebrate their religion freely and publicly,” Bronstein said of the event.
Ann Ormond, Andover director of Business, Arts, and Cultural Development, assisted Bronstein in spearheading the event.
“When the Rabbi reached out to us, we embraced the idea of bringing a menorah to the gazebo at Town Hall,” said Ormond. “We are thrilled to have the Rabbi and his congregation celebrate their faith with all of us in the community.”
The menorah was one of 10,000 public menorahs ignited worldwide by Chabad Lubavitch, and Bronstein said it symbolizes universal religious freedom. He hopes in future years the celebration of lighting the menorah will continue to grow.
Hanukkah will continue through the evening of Monday, Dec. 10 and the menorah will remain standing in the gazebo throughout its duration.
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