Religion - Marblehead Current

18 Jun

Peaceful protest outside Grace Community Church after pride flag controversy

Leigh Blander0 CommentsLocal News, Religion, Top Stories

More than 150 people stood in the rain for a peaceful protest across from Grace Community Church on Sunday morning, waving pride flags and handmade signs, singing gospel songs and calling for more tolerance in Marblehead. Pleasant Street Preschool owner Mike Richmond, left, leads a peaceful protest across from Grace Community Church on Sunday. PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER “As a gay woman, when discrimination raises its head in a small town, people aren’t going to put up with it,” said Judy Geneen of Marblehead. “I…

16 Jun

NEW: Grace Church spray-painted with graffiti after pride flag controversy

Leigh Blander0 CommentsLocal News, Religion, Top Stories

Marblehead Police are investigating graffiti spray-painted on the side of Grace Community Church overnight Friday, days after a controversy erupted when a man who runs a preschool in the building posted a video of church members removing gay pride flags. One church member can be heard on the video saying, "We're a church that believes in the bible" and "You can celebrate who you are, but we don't have to." Supporters of the preschool are planning a peaceful protest across the street from the church…

14 Jun

Parents, businesses support preschool after church removes pride flags

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Religion, Top Stories

The Marblehead Pride Committee along with some parents and local businesses are rallying to support the Pleasant Street Preschool after members of Grace Community Church removed gay pride flags put up by the preschool’s owner Michael Richmond, who is gay and rents classroom space in the church. Richmond’s partner is a teacher in the preschool. They say the church has been trying to kick them out for months. “We see discrimination, violence and hate directed toward the LGBTQ community on the news every day. Sadly,…

14 Jun

After three decades, rabbi steps down with memories, optimism

Leigh Blander0 CommentsCommunity Resources, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion, Top Stories

One of the longest-serving faith leaders in Marblehead history, Rabbi David J. Meyer is retiring from Temple Emanu-El this month after serving there for 31 years. His advice to his successor? Rabbi David J. Meyer, one of Marblehead’s longest-serving faith leaders, is retiring. COURTESY PHOTOS “Continue building on the strength of this inclusive, joyful community and have the courage to try new approaches,” Meyer said. “And make sure you look at the ocean every day.” Rabbi David J. Meyer arrived in Marblehead in 1992. He…

31 May

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

Leigh Blander0 CommentsArt, Education, Local News, Religion

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’…

11 May

MHS principal honored for work against hate

Leigh Blander0 CommentsLocal News, Marblehead Public Schools, Public safety, Religion, Top Stories, Uncategorized

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…

09 May

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

Leigh Blander0 CommentsLocal News, Marblehead Public Schools, Religion, Top Stories, Uncategorized

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…

08 May

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

Will Dowd0 CommentsCulture, Local News, Religion, Top Stories, Uncategorized

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…

01 Mar

Group art exhibit at the Cloister Gallery

Submitted Content0 CommentsCulture, Life Style, Local News, Religion, Top Stories

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…

06 Feb

Town marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Will Dowd0 CommentsCommunity Resources, Culture, Local News, Religion

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…