Germany’s Largest Hanukkah Ceremony: Europe’s Tallest Menorah Lit at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

Together with the new President of the German Parliament Bärbel Bas, Rabbi of Berlin Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal lit the first light on the 10 meter high Hanukkiah in front of the Brandenburg Gate tonight.

For the President of the Bundestag, the now traditional Hanukkah ceremony was one of her first public appearances and she emphasized in her speech that the protection of its Jewish citizens is a matter of state for Germany.

Prominent Green Party politician and future Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth and multiple award-winning actress and member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Campus Iris Berben also gave emotional speeches, pointing to the enrichment of German culture through Jewish festivities.

Israeli Ambassador Jeremy Issacharoff and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Clarc Price joined all speakers on stage to light the torch. Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht was honored with a handmade glass Hanukkiah for her tireless commitment to German-Jewish coexistence.

In addition to invited guests, 1000 people spontaneously came to witness the ceremony on the spot.

To enable everyone to take part in the celebration despite the pandemic, the lighting of the Hanukkah lights at the Brandenburg Gate was also streamed live on the Internet.

In the coming Hanukkah week, a total of 35 Chabad-erected hanukkiot will light up the city in Berlin.

On the initiative of the Jewish community Chabad Berlin, chanukkiot are set up in front of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Foreign Office.

Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal commented, “The message of Hanukkah is “light over darkness” and this message will be carried outward with its positive energy and the Hanukkah lights throughout the city.”