‘Chanukah in the City’ Lights Up Sydney

On Thursday, the second night Chanukah, Chabad Youth NSW hosted ‘Chanukah in the City’ – a Giant Menorah lighting in Martin Place, Sydney, Australia.

Standing at 33 feet tall in the heart of the central business district, opposite the New South Wales State Parliament and next to the Reserve Bank of Australia, Sydney’s largest Menorah is a true sign of religious freedom and Jewish pride.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life turned out to celebrate and show support for the momentous occasion. Members of Parliament from both sides of the political divide as well as the CEO of Sydney City Council came to celebrate Chanukah with the people and dignitaries, included the Hon. Ron Hoenig, MP, who is the only active Jewish politician in NSW politics and calls himself modern orthodox.

Other dignitaries present were: Leader of the opposition, Mr. John Robertson, MP, David Clarke, MLC, Bruce Notley-Smith, MP and Monica Barone.

The event started with the arrival of 53 Menorah Parade Cars, organized by the Talmidei haShlucim – whose passengers were joined by hundreds of others making their own way by car or public transport. There was live Music by Yehoshua Niasoff, rides for the kids to enjoy. a barbecue to feed everyone as well as free doughnuts and chocolate coins for all who attended.

A major new initiative this year was a joint Menorah coloring competition, created by Chabad Youth NSW together with the Wentworth and Souther Couriers, local free papers distributing close to a hundred thousand copies throughout the eastern and southern suburbs of Sydney.

The competition also brought many new faces to the event, as it required contestants to bring their finished artworks of colored Menorah pictures to the event to be handed in for judging by the editor of the Wentworth Courier. The Winner, who will receive a Sony Playstation Vita, will be announced in next week’s paper.

The event was chaired by director of Chabad Youth NSW, Rabbi Elimelech Levy, who invited head Shliach of NSW Rabbi Pinchus Feldman to talk about the miracle of Chanukah and the message it teaches us. Next came greetings from the parliamentarians, followed by a message by Rabbi Dovid Sebban of CBD Chabad, a partner in the event, and by the lighting of the Menorah with the use of a 12 meter boom lift.

Following the formal proceedings, the crowds were entertained by a comedy bike stunt show, which saw Bikeboy Sean doing all sorts of tricks on a bike and than balancing on his bike on top of a 3 meter pole while juggling a knife, a torch and an apple.

As it only got dark close to 8:00pm, the Talmidei haShluchim and Mesivta Bochurim were able to put on Tefilin with many people and hand out Menorahs, candles and guides. The girls distributed Shabbos candles and other Mivtzoim information.

“We were very happy with the event,” said Rabbi Elimelech Levy, “as it was big Kiddush Hashem. The Lord Mayor of Sydney had a tree lighting ceremony only a few blocks down in Martin Place, and thousands of people walked past the Menorah on their way, at which point many received a ‘7 Noahide Laws’ brochure.”