Photos: Sharna Kinsley
The Jewish community gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square to #UniteUnderTheLight for a fun and entertaining evening to celebrate Chanukah, the festival of light, with exciting new musical acts, speeches and performances.
There were a number of headline acts including the Solomon Brothers (as seen on “The Voice”, Israel), the Kedma Band with Rabbi Marc Levene, appearances around the Square from Dreidleman.
“This year it is more important than ever that Jewish Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds are able to come together to celebrate Chanukah in Trafalgar Square,” said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
“Chanukah celebrates freedom from religious oppression and is ultimately a story about the triumph of light over darkness,” he said. “I am proud to be Mayor of a city which embraces its diversity – and proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Jewish Londoners as we light the menorah and reflect on the message of hope Chanukah brings. Chanukah Sameach.”
The evening was emceed by award-winning comedian Rachel Creeger and remarks were given by British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Mark Regev.
It is estimated that more than 3,500 people attended the event. Chanukah in the Square this year was an opportunity for the Jewish community to come together in unity to celebrate a festival, which commemorates the triumph of light over darkness.
“Anglo Jewry proudly celebrating together under the bright lights of the Menorah! The Solomon Brothers really electrified the crowd.
“Tonight’s event demonstrated how vibrant, upbeat and united our community is, and how lucky we are to live in this great city. As a community, we are ending 2018 on a high,” said Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, Chief Executive of Chabad Lubavitch UK.
On behalf of all of Chabad around the country, Rabbi Sudak thanked the event’s partners, the Jewish Leadership Council and London Jewish Forum, Genesis Philanthropy Group and Mayor of London and “the tireless team at the CST for the security.”
A new, temporary menorah was used for the event this year, allowing the event to continue to be a source of pride and a symbol of unity for everyone in the Jewish community. The menorah will stay up in Trafalgar Square for the duration of Chanukah, with a new light added on each night of the festival.
“Chanukah in the Square is a special event in our communal calendar,” Jonathan Goldstein, Chair, Jewish Leadership Council said. “The JLC is proud to be a part of this public celebration of our community and I was honored to light the menorah with friends from across the country and all denominations and to shine a light on our faith, history and heritage.”
“Once more Londoners have braved the weather and turned out in great numbers to celebrate with the Mayor of our great city the festival of lights and demonstrate the rich cultural diversity of its people,” Adrian Cohen, Chair, London Jewish Forum said. “The message of Chanukah of dedication and freedom remains as relevant today as ever before.”
Mikhail Fridman, Co-Founder and Trustee of Genesis Philanthropy Group said: “I was born and grew up in the city of Lviv in Ukraine at the time of the former Soviet Union. For us then, it was impossible to celebrate our Jewish Holidays and impossible to proclaim our Jewish identity in public.
“So it is extremely special for me to have shared the joy and memory of Chanukah around this Menorah in Trafalgar Square, just as we proudly display our own menorahs in the windows of our homes, where their lights are visible for all to see. Celebrations like this go a long way to encourage young Jews across the world to feel safe, confident and proud of their heritage, identity and values.”
Freilichen Chanukah!