Menorah Flames Light Up Berlin

The celebration of Chanukah in Germany started with lighting the Menora at the heart of German capital – the Brandenburger Gate.

It was attended by the federal interior minister of Germany Dr. Thomas de Maiziere, the governing mayor of Berlin Michael Muller as well by many other prominent guests from the German government as well as the ambassadors from Mexico, Netherlands, Austria, Hungary Poland, Slovenia and many other countries. The event was also opened to the general public and gathered more than 2,000 spectators.

The picturesque ceremony of lighting the first candle was conducted by Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal from Chabad Jewish Educational Center, Thomas de Maiziere, German Federal Minister of the Interior, Mayor of Berlin Michael Muller, and the Ambassador of Israel in Germany Yakov Hadas-Handelsman.

“Exactly here, not far from the holocaust memorial, it is indeed a miracle that only a few decades later Jewish life is flourishing in Berlin,” noted Mr. Thomas de Maiziere in his speech.

Chanukah at the Brandenburger Tor has become a very powerful symbol which draws annual attention of the international community.

Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, rabbi of the Jewish community of Berlin, remarked, “this is the answer of the Jewish people, exactly where Hitler stood 70 years ago and announced his dark plans for the Jewish people, the Jewish nation reacts with lighting a candle, overcoming darkness with light.”

Across Berlin 20 public Menorahs stand tall at all major intersections, bringing the joy and holiday spirit to all.