The traditional lighting of the Menorah took place in the NSW State Parliament in Sydney last Tuesday.
Although the latkes have yet to make their appearance, politicians and State identities were offered platefuls of doughnuts as they entered the function room in Parliament House.
The group heard a message from NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president Yair Miller followed by an invocation from the Yeshiva’s Rabbi Pinchus Feldman who explained he was making a special blessing to light the Chanukiah almost one month ahead of time.
Messages to the community were delivered by Don Harwin the president of the Legislative Council and Speaker Shelley Hancock before Premier Barry O’Farrell, donning a red yarmulke took to the podium.
He reinforced the relationship between the State Government and the Jewish community highlighting the contribution the community had made to Australian society.
Greetings came, too, from John Robertson the Leader of the Opposition.
After all eight candles on the Menorah were lit by Rabbi Feldman, Chazan Yehoshua Niasoff sang “Maoz Tzur.”
For the community, and for State Parliament, the festive season has begun.
i went to sydney this pesach my uncle is the one with mic
Melbourne is the place to be!
wooooo hooooooooo ! go sydneyy!! AUSSIE POWER!!
The following is the text of Premier O’Farrell’s address: An early Chag Sameach. Once again, I’m pleased to celebrate the festival of Chanukah with you. As Rabbi Feldman has outlined, this time of the year is a joyous event in the Jewish calendar. And for me, it always has a happy meaning. I’ve been privileged many times to participate in the lighting of the menorah, both in my own community and here in the city. Although I’ve been advised that, as Premier, I’m not allowed in a Chabad cherry picker without a harness! By the way, you may have noticed… Read more »
B“H The reason why the event was held now is because it was the last sitting week for NSW Parliament in 2011 and the only way to get all of the Parliamentarians to attend is to have it on a sitting week when they are at Parliament. The MPs live all over NSW, some up to 10 hours drive away, and if it was held on Chanukah itself, when Parliament is not sitting, most of them would be unable to attend. My father SHLIT”A announced at the ceremony that it is being held prior to Chanukah and therefore he said… Read more »