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Jews Shine a Ray of Hope in Celebration of Chanukah

The Australian

SYDNEY, Australia — Hundreds of families from Sydney’s Jewish community gathered in Martin Place last night to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, the eight-day long Festival of Lights.

In windy conditions, dignitaries including local federal MP Tanya Plibersek and Lord Mayor Clover Moore turned out to celebrate the religious festival, which culminated in the lighting of a giant 10m Menorah.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

The Menorah is an eight-branched candelabra. Every evening of the festival, another candle is lit in honour of a light that is said to have burned for eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem when it should have only burned for one. The Jewish people believe the light was sustained by a miracle and have celebrated the event ever since.

For some, the evening was one of sombre reflection. Other excited young children delighted in the jumping castle, the fire throwers and the traditional Hanukkah sweets.

Father of three Yossi Segelman from Bondi, in Sydney’s east, took his children into the city last night so they could partake in the festivities.

Mr Segelman’s eight-year-old daughter, Chani, said she loved Hanukkah and that it was an exciting and special time of year.

“It means to me that I should be proud to be Jewish and that people before me saved the Jewish nation, they fought and they won,” Chani said.

Her younger brother, Ari, 5, had a different take on the religious festival: “I like Hanukkah because I get to eat lots of doughnuts.”

Mr Segelman said he hoped his children and other Jewish and non-Jewish people would see Hanukkah as a message of hope and a celebration of religious tolerance.

“As a family we like to take the opportunity to participate in as many communal (Menorah) lightings as we can,” Mr Segelman said.

“It is important for the kids to be a part of these celebrations and be proud of their heritage and to spread the warmth because that is a part of the message of Hanukkah.

”It’s a message that a few people, small in number but great in spirit, can overcome many.“

Rabbi Elimelech Levy, who co-ordinated last night’s celebration, said Sydney’s Jewish community was joining other Jewish communities across the globe to celebrate this important day on the religious calendar.

”This celebration in Martin Place will echo hundreds of similar ceremonies that are traditionally held at the Eiffel Tower, Trafalgar Square, the Kremlin and the White House,” he said.

A number of security officials were employed to ensure celebrations would run smoothly.

This year, Hanukkah is being celebrated from sunset last Sunday to sunset on December 29.

Throughout the celebration, Jewish families will typically eat festive meals. They recite the Hallel prayer, play the dreidel game and enjoy festive meals of latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (ball-shaped doughnuts) every evening.

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10 Comments

  • D Learner

    What about some articles boasting of Yeshiva’s efforts in the realm of Limud HaTorah?

  • Chaim L.

    Happy Chanukah Sydney !
    Good Job Elimelech, Didn’t recognize the Menorah, Silver is nicer than Yellow.
    So the Chocolate Menorah is a yearly thing now ?
    Hatzlocho Rabo and M’chayil EL Choyil
    Hope to see more of Sydney online

  • Bochur who spent 2 years

    To Josh Metz
    Don’t know if you’ve been to Sydney or not
    But don’t you think its enough of this crap.
    If you don’t got something positive to say, then don’t say anything. I was Persanally in Sydney for 2 years and B”H the Yeshiva Community is growing a lot. and there is a lot more then 10 people.
    What will you tell the Rebbe when he comes ???
    you spent 10 years making fun of his Shluchim ???
    Great Work Elimelech and ALL the Bochrim who put Days into the Programs they do.
    G-d Bless The Rebbe’s Shluchim

  • Rony

    kol hakavod to the rebbes shluchim not just in Sydney but around the whole world, who for hours plan togehter with the respective rebbetzins programs for yidden to bring them closer to the rebbe eibishter G-D and a little encouragment to them wouldn’t hurt or never harmed anybody so lets all boost eachother confidence with words of inspiration and positivity!!!

    A freilichen chanuka :)