Jewish community joins Mayor Carrier to light menorah at City Hall for Hanukkah

posted on 12/15/2023

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, members of the Seacoast Jewish community, led by Rabbi Berel Slavaticki of the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center, were joined by Mayor Robert Carrier for the ceremonial lighting of a menorah in Council Chambers at City Hall to mark the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

Mayor Carrier lent his hand to Rabbi Slavaticki in lighting the shamash ("attendant") candle and reciting the traditional blessings during the lighting at City Hall. He was then presented with the menorah upon which his name is inscribed.

"It was an honor to join Rabbi Slavaticki and members of the Jewish community to light the menorah for this important holiday," said Mayor Carrier. "Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over religious oppression and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah lighting upholds this powerful tradition, which reminds us of the triumph of light over darkness, especially during these difficult times in the world today."

Rabbi Slavaticki also provided the mayor with doughnuts from a New York deli. The doughnuts were among more than 500 "treat boxes" distributed by the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center throughout the region.

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the triumph of light over darkness and faith over oppression. Jews light a nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah each night of the holiday, adding one candle per night.