The program included musical and dance presentation performed by students from schools across the County.

Invocations and blessings were delivered by local faith leaders, among them was Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, executive director of Agudah of Maryland. Rabbi Sadwin gave the “ceremonial blessing” and evoked the Chanukah-theme of "renewal" in extending blessings to County Executive and officials returning to office for second terms. Read the text of his blessing and watch it below:

 Inaugural Blessing - Baltimore County Executive 2022

We are two weeks from the arrival of Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights.More than 2,000 years ago, the Assyrian Greeks began oppressing the Jewish people in Israel, first forbidding certain religious practices, then the desecration of the Holy Temple, and the oppression increased into something far more physically threatening.

A group called the Maccabees mobilized a small militia who waged war with the far larger and more powerful oppressors, and they were miraculously victorious. Chanukah celebrates this victory and the victory of light over darkness: the miracle of the small flask of olive oil that was found and used to light the Menorah lamp in the Holy Temple; and the even greater miracle of the menorah’s continuous illumination for eight full days.

According to the Talmud, one of the Jewish laws that was outlawed by the Assyrian Greeks was the commandment to sanctify and bless the new moon every month. Scholars and commentators have long debated the question as to why the Assyrian Greeks would have chosen the seemingly unremarkable commandment to bless the new moon as the one to outlaw and to upend Jewish identity? The answer is - that the monthly rebirth of the moon represents a renewal that each individual person may also experience and adapt.

People can constantly find ways to inspire spiritual growth within themselves even when they have endured challenges – since we – like the moon – also may renew and refresh ourselves to prepare for continued growth in our service of G-d.It was this concept of personal growth and renewal that the Assyrian-Greeks attempted to eliminate by outlawing the sanctification of the new moon. Yet, they failed. They were defeated. Renewal and growth were victorious 

Ribono Shel Olam – Master of the World – today we inaugurate Baltimore County Executive John A. Olszewski Jr to a second term – a true opportunity for refresh and renewal – where he and his administration are prepared to build on the successes of the first term: the great leadership at a time of great uncertainty, the overcoming of unprecedented challenges; and to incorporate those experiences with their new goals for the next four years serving the County, its families and households and its businesses.

Along with the County Executive, we inaugurate the Members of the County Council, the Judges of the Circuit Court, the Judges of the Orphans Court, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Sheriff, the Register of Wills, and the Members of the Baltimore County Board of Education

Almighty G-d, we ask You to bestow your blessings on this group of remarkable public servants, providing them with the tools they need to succeed; and with good health and prosperity. And, we ask You to please bless each and every one of the 855,000 people who live their lives in this great county.   Amen.