By COLlive reporter
Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness hosted a Menorah lighting ceremony in his office for the first time in the history of the Caribbean island nation.
Leading the lighting and explaining the meaning of Chanukah was Rabbi Yaakov Raskin, founder and director of Chabad of Jamaica.
“This is historic!” Rabbi Raskin tweeted. “An honor to be invited to the Honorable Prime Minister’s office to bring the light of Chanukah here and from here to be broadcasted to the entire nation and the whole world.”
The Rabbi presented the Prime Minister with a gift, a Menorah in the colors of the Jamaican flag.
“The Jewish community celebrates Chanukah for eight days by lighting the Menorah. The Menorah is a global symbol of freedom over oppression, spirit over matter, and light over darkness. The Menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Sabbath,” Holness tweeted after the event.
“Jamaica is home to between 300-350 Jews, with at least 21 Jewish burial grounds across the island. I hope that the Jamaican public sees the diversity of the society in which we live and how embracing our society is,” the Prime Minister wrote.
“Thank you for accepting and taking the time to host us. This means a lot to the Jews living in Jamaica and to the multitude of Jewish visitors who come here annually,” Rabbi Raskin said.
