BRCOT students upgrade Biddeford menorah

BIDDEFORD – For the past five years, a steel-framed menorah has been placed in City Square Park at the corner of Main and Lincoln streets.

Until now, “lighting” the giant menorah has been somewhat tricky and just a tad risky because someone had to climb a step ladder each evening in order to light the individual candles during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

Thanks to the efforts of some resourceful students from the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT), the large menorah has now been upgraded and rewired so that lighting each candle can be done by simply flipping an individual switch at the base of the structure.

“I want to thank you for probably saving my life,” joked Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford, as the students worked to set the menorah in place.

 

According to Dana Peck, an instructor at the BRCOT, he fashioned the Menorah in 2018 on behalf of the Biddeford Historical Society.

 “But why leave it to a farmer like me when we have all these awesome kids?’ he said.

The electrical engineering, machining and welding students hail from Biddeford, Saco, Arundel and Waterboro.

Poupore thanked the students for their efforts.

“You have all helped Biddeford as we all continue working to become a more welcoming place for people who may feel a bit left out during traditional holiday events. Our city has a long tradition of welcoming people from varying cultures, and we hope to continue opening our arms to people of all faiths and backgrounds,” she said.

According to Poupore, the first lighting of the menorah will take place on the first day of Hanukkah, which falls this year on Sunday, Dec. 18. A ceremony, between 4:30 and 5 p.m., will include members of Congregation Etz Chaim, a synagogue in Biddeford that serves all of York County.

Along with the ceremonial lighting, the Heart of Biddeford will be offering sufganiyot, a traditional Jewish pastry that is similar to jelly donuts.

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.