Bangor Daily News Obituary Search: Celebrating Hanukkah with Resolve and Confidence Amidst Rising Antisemitism

In the face of hatred, the Jewish community in Maine has chosen to respond with confidence and resolve. This year's Hanukkah celebrations have been marked by a renewed sense of pride and determination, as evidenced by the public lighting of menorahs in visible locations throughout homes.

Rabbi Chaim Wilansky of Congregation Beth Abraham emphasizes that 'we can have no better response to negativity than to proudly gather together, even more so now than before, and celebrate the light of the menorah in public.' The importance of the public menorah has never been more evident than this year, as Maine's Jewish community comes together to celebrate Hanukkah with renewed confidence.

The need for this confidence stems from recent events. In October, a rally was held in downtown Portland to 'demand a free Palestine, an end to US funding of Israeli apartheid, and freedom for all Palestinian political prisoners!' This event, organized by the Maine chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, is just one example of the growing anti-Israel sentiment that has led to increased tensions between Jewish communities and their neighbors.

In November, pro-Hamas flyers were posted outside Congregation Beth El on French Street in Bangor. While these incidents are disturbing, Rabbi Wilansky reminds us that 'Jewish people have seen similar hardships and hate in the past and have survived and grown stronger from it.' He notes that the Israel-Hamas war and rise in antisemitism is 'frightening and loud,' but the community remains steadfast in its resolve to celebrate Hanukkah with pride.

To mark the first night of Hanukkah, a festive event was held in Peirce Park, where hundreds gathered to light a nine-foot menorah. The celebration featured music, food, and even the dropping of chocolate gelt from a Bangor Fire Department ladder truck. Children eagerly tried to catch the candy as it parachuted down from above.

Despite the chilly temperatures, attendees braved the cold to celebrate this special time of year. In doing so, they sent a powerful message: that even in the face of adversity, Jewish people can come together and celebrate their faith with pride and confidence. As we move forward into the eight-day Festival of Lights, let us draw inspiration from the resilience and determination of Maine's Jewish community.

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