History was made in 1620, when the 102 passengers aboard the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock on the shores of what would later become the United States of America. Fast-forward a few centuries, the site bore witness to another historic event: a public menorah-lighting attended by another 102 souls who braved the cold to see the flames of the menorah.
The event, organized by Chabad-Lubavitch of the South Shore in Massachusetts, featured the kindling of the 7-foot tall menorah, which has become a cherished tradition for local families since the first lighting in Plymouth back in 2013. The event featured classic Jewish songs, joyous dancing and a selection of traditional holiday foods such as doughnuts, latkes and chocolate Chanukah gelt.
“Just as the Pilgrims sought a safe haven to practice their faith freely, on Chanukah we celebrate the blessings of religious freedom, not just for Jews but for all people.” said Rabbi Levi Lezell, who co-directs Chabad of the South Shore with his wife, Mushky. “It feels natural for this place to host our Plymouth-area community Chanukah celebration.”
Amongst the attendees was Dr. Walter Powell, a noted historian who is the former executive director of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Powell, while not Jewish himself, shared that the event made a deep impact on him.
“[The Pilgrims’] initial push towards religious independence led to so many other groups coming to this country early on and striving for religious freedom. And that’s why, I think, in particular, this menorah lighting was an important and very appropriate thing to do,” Powell said. “Looking at this event from the standpoint of its symbolic importance, the location certainly couldn’t be better.”
Powell attended together with his young grandchildren, who are Jewish, and especially appreciated how the menorah-lighting captured the attention and interest of the children. “I look forward to this being an annual event here.”
50 Years of Public Menorahs
Chabad put up the first public menorah 50 years ago, in the winter of 1974, adjacent to the Liberty Bell at Independence Mall in Philadelphia. The initiative was a part of the worldwide Chanukah awareness campaign launched by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, who frequently noted how the menorah serves also as a universal “symbol … of the triumph of freedom over oppression.”
Speaking in the winter of 1986, the Rebbe highlighted that the United States “is built on the principles established by the founding fathers. When they landed on these shores one of their first acts was to set and proclaim a holiday of Thanksgiving to the Creator and Master of the world who had saved them from danger and brought them to these safe shores.
“Here they could live without fear, religious persecution or oppressive decrees. Here they could conduct their lives according to their sacred beliefs. Their thanksgiving expressed this faith: G‑d not only created the world but also directs the events of the world. They recognized the providence of G‑d in their salvation.”
Sharing the miracle of Chanukah therefore, the Rebbe explained, “is in keeping with the spirit of the founding fathers and all those whose lives in this country began with a public expression of gratitude to the Al-mighty.”
Sharing the Light
Charlotte Sheer, Plymouth resident and regular volunteer at Chabad of the South Shore has helped to organize Chanukah events for the past several years. “The event brings people together from all ages and religious backgrounds, and that’s so important in our divided world,” she said.
Phil Waltuch, a long-term Plymouth resident, concurred. “This is one of the main Jewish things done loudly and proudly in the town. It’s a great way to bring new people in and spread the light and message of Chanukah.”
Towards the end of the lighting, the rabbi took the opportunity to turn a mishap into a moment of inspiration. When two of the menorahs’ glass candle covers accidentally fell over and cracked, Lezell noted the light of the flickering flames nevertheless shined brightly through the broken glass.
“We are like that glass,” he shared. “When our hearts are broken by events and occurrences around the world today, the light within each of us can still shine brightly, and bring healing to the fractures in our world and within ourselves.”
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