THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, DECEmbER 23, 2022 Page 3 Everett lights menorah in celebration of Hanukkah Community members, elected offi cials, including Mayor Carlo DeMaria, and Rabbi Sruli Baron of Tobin Bridge Chabad are shown outside of City Hall after the menorah lighting ceremony. Story and photos by Ron Colman O n the second night of Hanukkah, community members and elected offi - cials gathered alongside Mayor Carlo DeMaria and Rabbi Sruli Baron to light the Everett menorah in front of City Hall. Hanukkah, which is the Jewish eight-day “festival of lights,” is celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting and special prayers. The menorah holds nine candles where one stands higher than the rest and is used to light the others. Rabbi Baron welcomed attendees and spoke about the meaning of Hanukkah and how it can bring communities together. Mayor Carlo DeMaria also spoke about the significance of Hanukkah and what the menorah can represent to residents. “Let all our residents look to the menorah and its lights and find the strength and courage to know that no matter what challenges that you face in life, a pure heart and your faith always will guide and comfort you through Rabbi Sruli Baron of Tobin Bridge Chabad spoke at the podium. Mayor Carlo DeMaria spoke at the podium. Young attendees helped light the menorah. any difficulty,” said Mayor DeMaria. “May you all leave here today and carry with your faith, peace and hope for yourselves, for your families and for our community during this holiday season School Committee approves superintendent’s evaluation By Tara Vocino T he School Committee approved Superintendent Priya Tahiliani’s evaluation, 9-0 (with Mayor Carlo DeMaria abstaining from voting), during Monday’s School Committee meeting at Everett High School. During public comment, Lynn Street resident Nancy Cianchetta, who doesn’t support an extension of the superintendent’s contract beyond June of next year, said residents have always been unifi ed, but she hasn’t felt that the city has been a community recently. “If our key issue is our students, will they be impacted by this political tension?” Cianchetta asked. “Recent events have made me very concerned and uncomfortable.” She referenced a recent mandatory Vine Street Everett Public Schools staff meeting, in which attendees had to sign up for a time slot. However, it wasn’t made clear why. “Stress was definitely felt by other staff and students,” Cianchetta said. “Some staff members requested exit interviews because of pay issues – others said they didn’t feel safe here; then, they were denied exit interviews.” What was also troubling was when high school students were offered three hours of community service for attendEVALUATION | SEE PAGE 11 and throughout the coming new year.” After the menorah was lit, all who attended were invited to enjoy music, latkes, doughnuts, dreidels, chocolate gelt and more. OUR OFFICE HAS MOVED TO 519 BROADWAY, EVERETT SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: Rocco Longo, Owner WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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