1500 at Brisbane Menorah

Brisbane lit up on Sunday night as the Jewish community joined with friends and visitors to celebrate the the Jewish Festival of Lights – Chanukah.

The highlight was the lighting of the majestic six metre tall Menorah in Reddacliff Place.

Radio presenter the Hon Gary Hardgrave (former Federal Minister) invited the crowd of over 1500 people to watch with excitement as the Deputy Mayor Cr Adrian Schrinner and Rabbi Levi Jaffe lit the enormous ‘candle’. Lifted to the top of the giant Menorah in a suitably decorated cherry picker, Cr Schrinner received enthusiastic cheers from the huge gathering as the ‘service candle’ (Shamash) burst into flame.

Parents, children, grandchildren and friends of the Jewish community were also treated to great music performed by the amazing maestro Niasoff brothers from Sydney; amusement rides; carnival games; roving entertainers and typically Chanukah fare including latkes (fried potato pancakes), doughnuts and falafel.

Oil (hence the fried food) plays a significant role in this festival’s food as Chanukah commemorates the 3000 year old miracle of light when a lamp burned for eight days in the newly liberated Temple in Jerusalem, when there was only enough oil for one day.

Other distinguished guests at the event included Senator Claire Moore representing the Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the Hon Teresa Gambaro MP representing Tony Abbott MP, Robert Cavallucci MP representing Premier Campbell Newman. All brought warm wishes and messages of support and appreciation from our National and State leaders. In addition many local State MP’s and City Councillors were in attendance. A special message was sent by Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, Lord Jonathan Sacks.

Chanukah in the City, organised by Chabad Brisbane, is proudly supported by Brisbane City Council and the Jewish community.

The six metre tall Menorah remains in Reddacliff Place for the duration of Chanukah with a new ‘candle’ lit as the sun sets over the eight days of the celebration that concludes on 16 December.