News / religion
Jewish community gathers for lighting of Grand Menorah
On the fifth day of Hanukkah, a special Grand Menorah was lit on College Green.
Hanukkah – or Chanukah in Hebrew – is the Jewish eight-day festival of lights, with candles lit on the menorah every day of the celebrations.
The Grand Menorah in front of City Hall has been a tradition now for a number of years, with the lighting of it on Sunday evening accompanied by food, drink and fire dancing.
is needed now More than ever
Rabbi Mendy Singer lights the Grand Menorah – photo: Rob Browne
Rabbi Mendy Singer from Chabad of Bristol welcomed the dozens of people who had gathered on College Green before he lit the candles with help from lord mayor Andrew Varney and metro mayor Dan Norris.
Singer said: “When we light the menorah, we reflect on the miracle of Jewish survival and continuity; how the flames of the menorah’s candles keep burning and sharing their light throughout the ages despite the worst oppression and persecution that we have been through as a people.
“And when there are calls nowadays and locally to shut us down, to forcefully close Jewish community institutions, we are assured by the timely message of the menorah that with God’s help we will not only persevere but we will survive and flourish, continuing to share our light as the menorah attests to our long Jewish history.”
Lord mayor Andrew Varney and metro mayor Dan Norris were among the crowds watching the Grand Menorah be lit – photo: Rob Browne
Singer added: “Just one favour to ask you. When we say the blessings and light the candles here in a moment, and when you go home holding your shamash candle to light your menorah at home, take a minute to think about and to pray for the hundred hostages of our brothers and sisters who 450 days later are still being held and once again will not be celebrating Hanukkah with their family or will not be able to light their menorah.
“And we need to be their light. We need to make a promise and a pledge, a commitment, that in honour of their speedy release we will add in goodness and kindness, increase in light, in mitzvahs that we can do as Jewish people and as a greater Bristol community.
“To spread more kindness, to introduce more light, because that is the message of the menorah, that we fight evil with light, and hatred with positivity and another candle.”
Proceedings concluded with a fire dance on College Green – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Rob Browne
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