Lighting Up London’s Streets

300 people joined Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin MBE and fellow Shluchim Rabbis Moshe Muller and Odom Brandman for their annual public Menorah lighting on Motzei Shabbos, the 8th day of Chanukah, led by Chazan Eli Sufrin of Finchley Synagogue.

The event is held each year at the Gants Hill roundabout, the busiest intersection in East London, just outside the Gants Hill tube station.

Candles were lit by Mr Keith Prince, the Leader of the local Council, Member of Parliament Lee Scott, Councillor Alan Weinberg, Local Shluchim and other sponsors.

The delighted crowd were entertained by musician Sholom Ber Cohen from Pittsburgh, and a fire juggling show performed by Yitzi Muller, the son of Shluchim Rabbi Moishe and Brocho Muller, a finalist in the “Jewish Kids got talent” competition in NY.

Childrens programs and activities were run by Mrs. Devorah Sufrin throughout Chanukah.

Rabbi Sufrin comments: “This event culminates a very full and active Chanukah as this is our fourth public street lighting in four different local areas.”

Five Bochurim – Mendy Mentz, Chaim Loschak, Shmuli Hurwitz, Mendel Laufer and Leibel Scheiman from the Yeshiva in Brunoy, France, came to help out with all of the activities this year, which brought a real and palpable chayus to the whole community.

“In total some 1400 people joined together throughout the whole of Chanukah at public lightings with Chabad Lubavitch N East London and Essex, which is a great show of strength for ourselves and the wider community too,” said Rabbi Sufrin.