By now many in the Upper Valley have heard the news about the vandalization of the Hanukkah menorah on the Dartmouth Green, discovered on the evening of Dec. 16. I know that my colleague, Rabbi Moshe Gray, was in shock as he prepared to light the menorah for the seventh night of Hanukkah.
This act of vandalism has angered the entire community and it’s not what I would expect from the Upper Valley. As rabbi of the Upper Valley Jewish Community (Kol Ha’Emek) in Hanover, I write today to share my sadness, solidarity and support for the entire Jewish community and all of its neighbors.
We are all connected — what happens to one of us, happens to us all.
My earliest memory of experiencing anti-Semitism was standing in front of the still dripping-wet, red painted, larger-than-life swastika that desecrated the beautiful wooden doors to my synagogue as I arrived for Hebrew school in Mobile, Ala. That feeling of vulnerability and violation will never go away.
This latest act of anti-Semitic vandalism cannot be normalized or accepted. The destruction of the lights of the menorah, a sacred and timeless symbol of our people, is a reminder of that deep pain from many years ago.
Just as the lights of the menorah continued to burn through all eight nights of Hanukkah despite the vandalism, I pray that the light will continue to shine and inspire us to work together and to stand in solidarity for the freedom of religious expression for all.
One way we can do this is by creating an open and inter-faith dialogue among our neighboring communities in the upcoming New Year. This is how we as an Upper Valley community can continue to shine a light in the darkness.
It’s up to all of us to be a “light unto the nations … shining light in all places of darkness.” (Isaiah 42:6-7)
Hazak v’ematz, with strength and courage, light and peace.
RABBI MARK MELAMUT
Norwich
Contrary to apparent belief (apparent because so many students and townspeople wear masks when no one is near them outdoors), outdoor mask-wearing is not required by Dartmouth College or the town of Hanover, provided one can maintain appropriate social distance. Hanover’s Ordinance 39 (effective Aug. 10) requires masks outdoors only where social distancing is not possible: “Members of the public must wear face masks while using public sidewalks, other pedestrian ways, public recreation areas and other public property within the Town of Hanover where maintaining adequate social/physical distancing is not possible due to pedestrian congestion” (emphasis added; the town’s public signs omit the qualification, presumably for brevity).
Dartmouth’s policy is almost the same: A face covering must be worn at all times, unless “You are outdoors and are able to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance (or at least 10 feet if you are exercising) between yourself and others.” (There are additional exceptions for dining and working alone.)
Why does this matter? For many of us over a certain age, masks make breathing uncomfortable and walking hazardous. Most masks cover that little area between one’s nose and cheeks. This reduces downward visibility, which makes it more likely that we will stumble and fall on uneven terrain. I suspect these concerns may deter some older people from outdoor recreation, and that would be bad for both their physical and mental health.
So let’s be clear: Wearing masks indoors in public places and outdoors on crowded sidewalks and paths is a critical public health measure. But mask-wearing when no other pedestrian is nearby is not, and neither Dartmouth’s nor Hanover’s rules require it.
BILL FISCHEL
Hanover
I wanted to share some particularly inspiring observations made during the snowstorm on Thursday.
I don’t know if this letter will reach down to the Westminster, Vt., area, but I wanted first to give a big thank-you to a local plow operator and his son (John and John Jr.) who pulled my work vehicle out of a ditch when all of the commercial tow operators were otherwise occupied. I owe them one. I saw that they were also helping other cars out of similar jams and I just found this very impressive. I’m sorry I didn’t get their contact information as I was very flustered and worried about getting the car stuck again.
When I finally ventured on the interstate, it was a disaster as expected. In some spots the right lane was shut down while larger vehicles that could not move led to people parking in the right lane and traveling in the left lane — all while being surrounded by walls of snow in many cases nearly as tall as the vehicles themselves, a situation I am told is common in the Northwest. But despite these challenges, drivers were very civil (much more than when the weather is good) and, frankly, we worked as a team to get each other off of the roads intact and alive.
I wish we would see this cooperative spirit emerge more often in this area. Maybe it takes a catastrophic weather event to really bring out the better things in people.
TIMOTHY WITTIK
Hartford
I am in total agreement with Forum contributor Barry McCabe that our two major political parties are dysfunctional, and neither one cares about what’s best for our country, but what’s best for them politically (“Political parties are the real danger,” Dec. 20).
Instead of working together to advance American society, each party does all it can to obstruct the other. When was the last time our Congress produced meaningful legislation? All decisions are now done by presidential decree, followed by endless court battles.
Both parties have forgotten the ideals this country was founded on, and now function based on greed and selfishness. The Republicans want our country to be controlled by the rich and powerful, with no concern for the less fortunate or our society’s future. The Democrats want to support everything that’s ideologically popular, with total disregard for cost or the effects on those who have to live with those decisions.
STEPHEN D. RAYMOND
Sharon
When you look up to admire a flock of geese flying over, did you ever wonder how the “point goose” got the job? Voted on? They all take off together to form their “V” formation. They yak-yak as they glide; what are they yaking about? Do they have a preplanned destination?
ROGER SMALL
Claremont