HANOVER — Against the backdrop of ongoing violence in Gaza, the Upper Valley Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah this week with joyful gatherings tinged with somber reflection. 

Celebrations around the region have included a public menorah lighting on the Dartmouth Green, an interfaith lighting at St. Barnabas Church in Norwich, and gatherings at synagogues in Hanover and Woodstock. 

The strong attendance at the public events “was very affirming,” said Roberta Berner, president of the Upper Valley Jewish Community, or UVJC, located at the Roth Center for Jewish Life in Hanover.

Within the Jewish community, there is a range of views about the ongoing war in Gaza, and Berner said that the UVJC made a decision not to take a political stance. 

“We provide solace and sanctuary for our members,” she said. “We don’t want to exclude anybody.”

The war, Berner continued, “is certainly on every mind and in our hearts,” but she said that she would not presume to speak for the whole community, and that the best approach for the UVJC would not be to attempt to reflect every opinion. 

The war began on Oct. 7 with a Hamas attack on Israel, which left 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, dead. In addition, Hamas took 240 people hostage. Since then more than 18,000 people have died in the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Some, including the U.N. General Assembly, have called for cease fire to stem the civilian death toll, but Israel continues fighting in its effort to destroy Hamas.

“There is a strength in coming together, and we think there’s a comfort in being part of a community,” Berner said. “The level of fear and worry is there. We’re not naive. But we’ve gained strength by being together.” 

Despite the rainy and gloomy weather on Sunday evening, a crowd of a hundred or so members of the UVJC gathered for a party at the Roth Center for Jewish Life in Hanover. Inside, the warm light of a table full of menorahs, each with four candles lit for the fourth night of Hanukkah, brightened the room. 

Director of Education Melissa Herman led the congregation in blessings and songs, and everyone enjoyed latkes and sufganiyot, a dessert of sweetened fried dough.

“They’re like beignets,” said Ben Katz, as he presided over the fryer while his brother, Will, a senior at Lebanon High School, sprinkled the dough with powdered sugar. 

“I can’t remember the last time I saw this many people in Synagogue,” said Ben Katz, a sophomore history major at Dartmouth College. 

Sue and Paul Etkind, of Grantham, have been members of the UVJC for 10 years. Originally from Boston, they said that they hadn’t realized that there was a Jewish community in the Upper Valley. 

“It’s been a wonderful surprise,” Paul Etkind said. 

As they looked over the crowd, the Etkinds reflected on the symbolism of the holiday. Hanukkah is a festival of light and a commemoration of victory over religious oppression. It marks the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt and the miracle of oil that burned for eight days, lighting the ravaged temple. 

Paul Etkind said that the festive spirit of Hanukkah for him has not been dampened by events in Gaza, but said there is an “overlay” of themes. 

“Hanukkah is a story of freedom,” he said. Considering the hostages held in darkness in Gaza, “lighting the darkness with candles has extra meaning this year,” he said. “It’s hard not to make the connection.”

“A lot of us are saying extra prayers,” said Sue Etkind. 

Rabbi Mark Melamut exuded joy as he greeted celebrants, helped at the sufganiyot table, and enjoyed latkes. As people danced and socialized, he gestured toward the crowd and noted that  “it feels as though COVID is really behind us.”

According to Melamut, the UVJC has about 200 member families, and their congregation has grown a bit this fall. In addition, its Hebrew school has the largest enrollment in New Hampshire. 

This Sunday, Dec. 17, the Upper Valley Dayenu Circle, a Jewish climate action group founded by UVJC member Talia Manning, will hold a Hanukkah-themed, interfaith climate action event at the LISTEN community dining hall on Maple Street in White River Junction. U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., will be in attendance, and the event will include candle lighting, food, music, and climate-focused speakers and activities. Registration for the event is online at: UVJC.org.

Christina Dolan can be reached at cdolan18020@gmail.com.

CORRECTION: Paul and Sue Etkind, who live in Gran tham, are members of the Upper Valley Jewish Community congregation. Their last name was misspelled in a previous version of this story.