Religion - Marblehead Current

22 Dec

Marblehead Jewish day school fighting to survive

Leigh BlanderEducation, Religion, Top Stories

The North Shore's only Jewish day school — the Epstein Hillel School here in Marblehead — is facing a financial crisis and it's not clear whether it will survive. "After much deliberation, the board has made the difficult decision that starting in the 2026-27 academic year, our school is planning to move to a PreK through fifth-grade model," the EHS board wrote to families, announcing that it will stop offering grades six through eight. "Operating a PreK-5 school gives us the strongest chance to achieve…

19 Dec

Marblehead celebrates Hanukkah with menorah lighting

Leigh BlanderReligion, Top Stories

More than 150 people gathered to celebrate the fifth night of Hanukkah at a menorah lighting outside National Grand Bank Thursday evening. There was singing and storytelling and even the traditional Hanukkah treat sufganiyot (jelly donuts). "Jewish tradition teaches us to kindle the lights of our chanukiah (menorah) by a door or window, so that we can share the miracle, so that others can see it." said Rabbi Jenn Mangold of Temple Emanu-El at the event. "Just as we are doing tonight, sharing our light…

14 Oct

From folk singers to Jewish vampires: A preview of Jewish Book Month

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion

The Jewish Community Center of the North Shore is about to launch its 31st Jewish Book Month Speaker Series. The program dives into Jewish literature and culture with author talks and community events meant to inspire meaningful conversations. The series runs Oct. 16 through Nov. 21, at the JCCNS, with books written by Jewish authors or exploring Jewish themes. The first night will feature journalist Jane Eisner and her book, “Carole King: She Made the Earth Move.” In an interview with the Current, Eisner said…

16 Sep

The pumpkins are coming; the pumpkins are coming!

Leigh BlanderLocal News, Religion

Four thousand large pumpkins are on their way to the Clifton Lutheran Church in Marblehead right now and will go on sale beginning Saturday afternoon, Sept. 20. An additional 4,000 smaller gourds will also be arriving. They will all be spread on the church’s front lawn at 150 Humphrey St. Clifton Lutheran has partnered with a Navajo reservation in New Mexico for 10 years to purchase pumpkins to support the indigenous people who live there. For the 10th year, Clifton Lutheran Church is bringing in…

16 Sep

Holiday music tradition returns for 45th year; rehearsals start this week

Leigh BlanderEntertainment, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion

It’s that time of year again! The Old North Festival Chorus and Orchestra will hold their first rehearsal on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Registration begins at 7 p.m. and rehearsal starts at 7:30 p.m. The 45th annual Festival Chorus Holiday Concerts will be held Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. at Old North Church, 35 Washington St. Rehearsals will happen every Wednesday, 7:30-9 p.m. until the concerts. (Rehearsals may run longer closer to the concert dates.) Musical selections for the Holiday…

12 May

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Art, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Religion

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming days. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Playground photo exhibitThrough May Local photographer Larry Dunn is exhibiting his photographs, “The Color of Shapes and Playgrounds” at Stetson Gallery at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, 28 Mugford St. All are invited. Jeremiah Lee and Slavery in MarbleheadWednesday, May 14, 7 p.m. Marblehead Museum Executive Director Lauren McCormack will discuss colonial Marblehead’s relationship with the trans-Atlantic economy. Using merchant Jeremiah…

17 Dec

Marblehead celebrates Hanukkah early with menorah lighting

Leigh BlanderCulture, Religion, Top Stories

More than 100 people gathered Dec. 17 for Marblehead’s second annual community menorah lighting. Sarah Freudenberger, who lives in Marblehead and is a cantor at Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott, organized the event. The menorah is located on the lawn of National Grand Bank on Pleasant Street. https://videopress.com/v/HoIZAjfL?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true A chorus of children and adults sing Hanukkah songs at Marblehead's community menorah lighting on Dec. 17. CURRENT VIDEO /LEIGH BLANDER Freudenberger led a chorus of children and adults in several Hanukkah songs, including “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.”…

16 Dec

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Culture, Religion, Top Stories

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming days. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Community menorah lightingTuesday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. Marblehead will celebrate Hanukkah at a community menorah lighting outside National Grand Bank, 91 Pleasant St. Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, runs eight nights. This year, it begins Dec. 25. Tuesday's celebration will include singing and Hanukkah treats. Snowy Scapes & Celebrations: The Artist’s HolidayWednesday, Dec. 18, 7-8 p.m. Join this virtual presentation on the variety…

26 Nov

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Religion

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming days. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Music & Giving NightSaturday, Nov. 30, 6-11 p.m. The Marblehead Counseling Center and Gerry 5 present Music & Giving Night at Gerry 5. Come support a great cause and enjoy lively local music with local favorite Guy Ford Band — an eclectic acoustic rock ensemble including Guy Ford, Daniel Rowe, Brian Wheeler, Jack O’Soro, Dave Gagnon and Jeff Ford. The evening…

01 Oct

JCC preschoolers welcome in the Jewish new year

Leigh BlanderLocal News, Religion

Preschoolers at the JCC in Marblehead celebrated the Jewish New Year on the playground today. Rosh Hashanah starts Wednesday at sundown. On Tuesday, Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Jenn Mangold spent time with the J’s littlest members, singing songs and blowing the traditional shofar (ram's horn) to welcome in the new year. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER