Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski Knows Chabad History

By COLlive reporter

A public menorah was lit in honor of Chanukah in front of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, the best-known and tallest building in Poland. Originally known as the Joseph Stalin‘s Palace of Culture and Science, the name of the murderous dictator was later removed.

Due to the pandemic restrictions, a crowd was not invited to the lighting. Leading it nevertheless were Rabbi Shalom Ber Stambler, Director of Chabad Lubavitch Poland and the Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski.

“We are especially proud,” the mayor noted in his remarks, “because it all started in our city,” he said referring to the international public menorah campaign led by Chabad centers on Chanukah.

“It was here that 92 years ago, the Rebbe married the daughter of his predecessor and everything continued on from there,” he said, adding that “Warsaw is very proud of it.”

Trzaskowski, a former presidential candidate, underlined that it was the Rebbe who initiated the public menorah campaign.

“All this happens thanks to Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, who is known as the most influential rabbi in contemporary history,” he stated. “It was the Rebbe who started the Chanukah campaign in 1973. We have already got used to the fact that it is celebrated practically all around the world.”

Warsaw was a victim of the Nazi and Communist totalitarian systems and the location of the persecution of thousands of Jews. Rabbi Stambler said, “therefore we are very proud and thankful seeing the lights of Chanukah glowing proudly in the very heart of the city.”

He added, “Look at the “Shamash” candle on the menorah. Despite its servant role, it is elevated and honored because it gives light to all other candles. The role of the leaders is similar, they also serve others and this service only adds to their greatness. We should always remember that by helping others, by serving them, we elevate ourselves to the higher spiritual level.”

Rabbi Stambler expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Trzaskowski and his willingness to serve and respect all people regardless of their religion. He also pointed out the mission of Chabad – to serve the community and to spread the light of Torah in order to kindle the souls of people.

Following the ceremony, Rabbi Stambler received a very touching message from Mrs. Ewa Stokx-Gruber, a Warsaw-born Jewish woman, who now lives in Amsterdam, who happened to see the picture from the event.

“The picture from the Hanukkah candle lighting in Warsaw was sent to me – a Warsaw born March 68 emigrant,” she wrote. “It is a very emotional event for me: not everything Jewish disappeared from Warsaw! Anti-Semites or not, Polish Jewry is alive! Am Israel Chai!”

Apart from the public kindling ceremony, Rabbi Stambler also attended the Chanukah event at the Presidential Palace by invitation of the Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Rabbi Stambler was also invited by the Polish TV station to give the insight of Chanukah to the viewers. He spoke about its message as well as customs and traditions connected with this festival.

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