Religion - Marblehead Current

Tradition: Epstein Hillel students hit all the right notes in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’

31May

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Tradition: Epstein Hillel students hit all the right notes in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’

Epstein Hillel School’s upper school performed three sold-out shows of “Fiddler on the Roof” recently at Marblehead Little Theatre. Under the direction of EHS teachers Leslie Smith-Rosen and Ori Baruch, every student in fifth through eighth grade participated in the play: as actors on stage, assistant directors or as part of the stage crew. Lily West (left) as Tzeitel, Leah Bruner (middle) as Chava, and Naya Bodner (right) as Hodel in 'Fiddler on the Roof' COURTESY PHOTOS Epstein Hillel students perform ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at Marblehead Little Theatre. David Magen (right) as Tevye, Bo Pica (middle) as Perchik, and Bella Bacon (left) as Mendel in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’

MHS principal honored for work against hate

11May

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Public safety, Religion, Top Stories, Uncategorized

MHS principal honored for work against hate

Marblehead High School Principal Dan Bauer was honored by the Anti-Defamation League of New England on May 10 and given its North Shore Community Service Award. Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli was also honored. “In a world where hate and bigotry are all too common, our challenge is to ensure that the communities in which we live, work and learn are built on the foundation of mutual respect, reflecting our core values of justice and inclusion,” said Melissa Kaplowitch of Marblehead, chair of the ADL’s North Shore Advisory Committee. “Our honorees this morning have demonstrated their commitment to that work.” MHS Principal Dan Bauer hugs student Jared Kaplowitch, as he is presented with the ADL North Shore Community Service award. COURTESY PHOTO Bauer was presented the a...

The power of one: MHS students board cattle car to learn about Holocaust

9May

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Religion, Top Stories, Uncategorized

The power of one: MHS students board cattle car to learn about Holocaust

Hundreds of Marblehead High School students traveled back to 1940s Europe this week, by boarding a replica of a cattle car — the kind that transported Jews and other targeted groups to Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. Marblehead High students watch an immerse video presentation about the Holocaust while on board a replica of a cattle car used to transport Jews and others to death camps. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER Inside the car, which is 30 feet long by 10 feet wide, students watched a 360-degree, immersive video featuring two Holocaust survivors who boarded cattle cars with their families decades ago. The wooden, windowless car had 100 painted footprints to represent the typical number of people packed inside. “The boxcar was the transition from being a...

Old North Church embarks on $1M capital campaign to restore belfry, steeple

8May

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Religion, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Old North Church embarks on $1M capital campaign to restore belfry, steeple

About two weekends ago, Old North Church congregants entered their church's attic and came across wildlife that decided to take up residency in the house of worship. "We were hauling dump barrels up into the attic, and a raccoon ran right in front of us," said Sally Sands. "And that raccoon turned out to have four babies." Sands shared the story in an interview with the Marblehead Current to highlight several issues that need to be addressed with Old North Church's historic property. Plywood covers one of the damaged windows of the Old North Church cupola. CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD The congregation has launched a capital campaign — called "Keep It Ringing" — to restore its bell tower, which sits beneath an iconic golden cod weathervane. The church has so far raise...

Group art exhibit at the Cloister Gallery

1Mar

By Submitted ContentNo Comments

Culture, Life Style, Local News, Religion, Top Stories

Group art exhibit at the Cloister Gallery

The Cloister Gallery will feature a new show entitled “Welcome Spring! Works” by members of the Swampscott Art Association. The exhibit will run from Sunday, March 12 through Sunday April 30. There will be an opening reception for the show on Sunday, March 12 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. The Cloister Gallery at St. Andrew’s Church, 135 Lafayette St.Spring is just around the corner and who isn’t looking forward to longer days, shorter nights and a whiff of fragrance in the air? Come and lose yourself for a while in interpretive images of emerging life and new energy by artists and photographers of the Swampscott Art Association. All you stand to lose are the winter doldrums.The gallery’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon. Ring the door...

Town marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day

6Feb

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Community resources, Culture, Local News, Religion

Town marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Dozens of community members gathered outside Abbot Hall on Jan. 27 to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Rabbi David Meyer of Temple Emanu-El speaks outside Abbot Hall during the town’s first International Holocaust Remembrance Day observance on Jan. 27. COURTESY PHOTOS / JAMES MURPHY The United Nations designated the day of remembrance in 2005, and it commemorates the systematic mass murder of 6 million Jews and millions of other minorities by the Nazi regime. “The date recognizes when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945,” said Helaine Hazlett, who co-chairs the Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination. “It is critical to honor the memory of all those whose lives were lost during the time of these unimaginable, inexplicable murders.” Th...

Super-sized Hanukkah installation sparks kids’ creativity

15Dec

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Religion, Top Stories

Super-sized Hanukkah installation sparks kids’ creativity

Natasha (left) and Nyomi Male of Swampscott create designs on the Brighter Ignited installation. PHOTO: Leigh Blander Braving dark skies and below-freezing temperatures, dozens of local kids created bright designs on a super-sized interactive light display, as part of Hanukkah celebrations at Temple Emanu-El on Atlantic Avenue. “We’re building a menorah,” said Natasha Male, 10, of Swampscott, who was working with her big sister, Nyomi, 11. “It’s really fun.” The installation is called Brighter United and looks like a giant Lite Brite game. It’s a traveling art exhibit with Boston-based JArts, designed by Needham artist Tova Speter. Brighter United is visiting more than a dozen locations across the state this month, including the Museum of Fine Arts. Temple Emanu-El was its only s...

Marblehead Select Board OKs Epiphany tree burning

14Dec

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Municipal Matters, Religion, Top Stories

Marblehead Select Board OKs Epiphany tree burning

Marblehead Select Board signed off on the annual tree burning that the Marblehead Fire Department will stage on Riverhead Beach on Friday, Jan. 6. The Marblehead Fire Department will stage the annual tree burning on Riverhead Beach on Friday, Jan. 6. The entire town is invited to attend. COURTESY PHOTOS / CHRIS STEVENS “The Christmas tree pile will be set alight at 6 p.m.,” wrote Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland and Marblehead Department of Public Works Director Amy McHugh in a joint letter. “Residents are invited to attend this community event.” Marblehead’s Epiphany Tree Burning goes back decades, but Gilliland reinstated the tradition in 2015 after an eight-year hiatus. “Trees will be picked at the curbside from Tuesday, Dec. 27 and Friday, Jan...

New faces, new hopes for Marblehead faith leaders

10Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Community resources, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion, Top Stories

New faces, new hopes for Marblehead faith leaders

There are many new faces among Marblehead’s faith leaders, with more coming in the next couple of years. Longtime Temple Emanu-El Rabbi David Meyer, who is the current head of the Marblehead Ministerial Association, spoke to Marblehead Current about all the changes and his hopes for the future. Rev. Jenna Crawford at UUCM Rabbi David Meyer with the MMA “It is a challenge to keep the energy of the interfaith community strong as people are just getting to know each other,” Meyer said. “Hopefully, all the new ministers in town will take up with the same commitment and motivation for the interfaith work here.” The MMA was formed in the late 1970s in response to antisemitic graffiti at Temple Emanu-El and the JCC. Since then, the group has met monthly and worked to stand...

9Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Community resources, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion, Top Stories

New faces, new hopes for Marblehead faith leaders

There are many new faces among Marblehead’s faith leaders, with more coming in the next couple of years. Longtime Temple Emanu-El Rabbi David Meyer, who is the current head of the Marblehead Ministerial Association, spoke to Marblehead Current about all the changes and his hopes for the future. Rev. Jenna Crawford at UUCM Rabbi David Meyer with the MMA “It is a challenge to keep the energy of the interfaith community strong as people are just getting to know each other,” Meyer said. “Hopefully, all the new ministers in town will take up with the same commitment and motivation for the interfaith work here.” The MMA was formed in the late 1970s in response to antisemitic graffiti at Temple Emanu-El and the JCC. Since then, the group has met monthly and worked to stand...