BELFAST — Dozens gathered in Belfast’s Post Office Square Dec. 16, for the third Annual Menorah Lighting.

The menorah actually went up and was first lit Dec. 12, at the start of Hanukkah, but the annual lighting was held Saturday evening to allow for increased attendance.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred at the time of the Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BC) against the Seleucid Empire.

In order to rededicate the temple, the Maccabees needed oil to light the menorah, but could only find enough to keep the flames burning for a single night. The oil instead lasted eight days, which was long enough that they were able to make more oil, allowing the eternal flame to remain lit.

Hanukkah is observed for eight days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. For this reason, Hanukkah can occur anytime from late November to late December.

Last year Belfast’s annual menorah lighting fell on Christmas Eve, though founder Ellen Sander said there was still a moderate crowd gathered.

The idea for a community menorah came to Sander three years ago. Sander, who was previously Belfast’s Poet Laureate from 2013-2014, first approached Mike Hurley, a personal friend who also happens to be on the city council. Sander said everyone she approached with the idea was supportive, including current sponsors, Our Town Belfast, the City of Belfast, Colonial Theatre, and Yo Mamma’s.

“It was just, ‘yes,’ from everyone I talked to,” she said.

After getting everyone on board with the idea of a community menorah, the next step was to actually create the menorah.

Our Town Belfast approached Pete Sylvester, a spiral stair maker in Searsport.

“[Sylvester] fashioned this beautiful menorah. It’s an original creation,” Sander said.

The task was especially memorable for Sander, who was able to watch the actual making of the menorah.

Traditionally, the eight branches would be lit at a rate of one per day, with the aid of the ninth (center) holder, called the shamash. The shamash is used to light all of the other candles.

Municipal menorahs, which are generally powered with the other city lights, are typically lit all at once.

While the roughly seven-foot menorah was the star of the occasion, there were many offerings for those in attendance, including hot cocoa, cookies, and challah bread pudding, served hot. For those more interested in celebrating than sweets, several traditional songs were sung in addition to spontaneous dancing in the crowd.

With holiday cheer idling high, the celebration was a lively reminder of the inclusivity Belfast prides itself on.

Neil Harkness, a Belfast city councilor who has been to all three of the lightings, said he is struck by the same feelings every time.

“I look around here and I see a community. I see inclusiveness. People talk about tolerance, tolerance is the least people can do. I see a community that does more than that, I see a community that opens its arms and welcomes everyone and I feel that this ceremony is a powerful symbol of that,” he said.

Harkness ended his remarks by acknowledging the crowd gathered before him.

“Thank you all for being here. They say it’s better to light one light than to curse the darkness, and I’m doing both,” he said to a laughing crowd.

“Happy holidays to everyone, whatever your faith, whatever your background is, and thank you for being part of this wonderful community.”

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com