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Date: 12/18/2023
HOLYOKE — A Hanukkah observance organized by the Congregation Sons of Zion was hosted outside on Dec. 7, the first night of Hanukkah, marking the city’s eighth annual celebration and lighting of the menorah outside of City Hall.
Speakers including Mayor Joshua Garcia and members of the Holyoke Sons of Zion celebrated the right to observe the holiday and spread light in a moment of adversity for Jewish people in the midst of the ongoing conflict in Israel.
“This comes in a moment today where we are concerned about an increase in antisemitism both in the United States and around the world,” said Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts CEO Nora Gorenstein. “We want to shine our light proudly and have our friends and neighbors join us in supporting all of us in the right to practice religion freely.”
A brand-new menorah to stand outside of City Hall during the holiday was donated to the city by Charlie Epstein from the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. The large candelabra stands outside City Hall spaced aside the Christmas tree as a new addition to City Hall’s holiday spirit.
“It’s heartwarming to see everyone here tonight,” Epstein said. “I’m proud to have donated the menorah here to the city of Holyoke and I’m looking forward to those candles burning brightly and letting everyone know in Holyoke and around the world how proud we are to be Jews and how we stand together not only here but around the world.”
Sons of Zion Rabbi Saul Perlmutter closed out the celebration speaking about the history of the holiday and its importance to never forget where their religion comes from.
“We were fighting for our religious freedom, and we need to always fight for religious freedom for ourselves and for free expression of religious freedom for other,” Perlmutter said. “We don’t want to have antisemitism in this country. We don’t want to have islamophobia in this country. The menorah teaches us that just as we fought for our rights and religious freedom, that it’s important for everyone.”
Perlmutter led the crowd to gather around the menorah following his comments where the first bulb in the new figure was lit and then closed out the ceremony with songs.