All articles tagged with #hanukkah
Residents of Toli Chowki in Hyderabad, India, are concerned about being unfairly associated with Sajid Akram, who was involved in the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, highlighting tensions faced by Muslim communities in India amid global incidents.
Neal Hoffman, a Cincinnati resident and former Hasbro employee, created the 'Mensch on a Bench,' a Hanukkah-themed toy inspired by the Elf on a Shelf, to celebrate Jewish traditions with humor and education. The toy, which teaches children about being a mensch and retells the story of the Maccabees, has become a popular cultural phenomenon, supported by a successful Kickstarter campaign and a pitch on Shark Tank, leading to a range of related characters and toys that aim to promote Jewish joy and identity.
The article reports on how the recent mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia, which killed at least 16 people, has cast a shadow over Hanukkah celebrations in Israel, highlighting concerns about rising antisemitism and the impact of violence on Jewish communities worldwide.
A gun attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, Sydney, resulted in 15 deaths, including children and rabbis, with the perpetrators pledging allegiance to ISIS. UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis expressed concern over rising antisemitism and emphasized the importance of protecting Jewish communities worldwide. Leaders in the UK, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned the attack and pledged increased security and efforts to combat hate speech. The incident highlights ongoing threats to Jewish safety and the need for societal action against antisemitism.
The President extends warm Hanukkah greetings, highlighting the historical miracle of the oil, the significance of the menorah as a symbol of victory and liberty, and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to religious freedom and resilience of the Jewish community. He wishes peace, joy, and warmth to all celebrating the Festival of Lights.
Jewish Voice for Peace, a national Jewish group, organized protests in eight U.S. cities, including Washington and Philadelphia, demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war on the eighth night of Hanukkah. Demonstrators blocked busy streets and bridges, causing traffic disruptions. Similar protests also took place in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Portland. The United Nations has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, where the conflict has led to pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrations in the United States.
Protesters in Portland, Oregon, blocked traffic on the Burnside Bridge to demand an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Organized by the Portland chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace, the demonstration coincided with the final night of Hanukkah. Protesters called for elected leaders to hear their call and criticized Oregon politicians for not prioritizing civilian life in Gaza. Similar Hanukkah demonstrations are being held in seven other U.S. cities.
Hundreds of people gathered at Lake Merritt in Oakland to denounce anti-Semitism and call for peace after a large menorah, erected to celebrate Hanukkah, was vandalized and thrown into the lake. The menorah was quickly replaced by members of Chabad Oakland. The rally included a diverse mix of Jewish community members, non-Jewish allies, community organizations, and elected officials, who condemned the hate crime and called for unity. Signs calling for a ceasefire in Gaza were held, and candles were lit during the peaceful gathering.
Police in Oakland, California, are investigating a hate crime after a 9-foot-tall menorah was destroyed and thrown into a lake during Hanukkah. The vandalism occurred early Wednesday morning, and there are currently no suspects. The Chabad Jewish Center of Oakland inaugurated a new menorah in the same location. The incident has been condemned by local officials, including the mayor and the California Attorney General. The destruction of the menorah was accompanied by hateful graffiti. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to an increase in antisemitism and other hate incidents across the United States. Muslim groups have also condemned the vandalism.
The mayor of Oakland, California, has called for a hate crime investigation after a large public menorah was vandalized and destroyed during Hanukkah celebrations. Pieces of the menorah were thrown into Lake Merritt, and threatening graffiti was painted at the site. The mayor expressed outrage and solidarity with the Jewish community, emphasizing that the incident was an attack on the entire city and its shared values. The rise in antisemitic incidents during the Israel-Hamas conflict has drawn attention to the issue, with over 2,000 incidents reported since October. The Council on American-Islamic Relations also condemned the vandalism, emphasizing the need for collective action against bigotry. The community quickly mobilized to install a new menorah, with support from California's Attorney General.
As Hanukkah comes to an end, American Jews find solace in the festival's message of light during a dark season. This year, lighting the menorah holds greater significance as it symbolizes hope and courage in the face of rising antisemitism and fear. Many Jews are choosing to publicly light menorahs, embracing their identity and refusing to be silenced. The story of the Maccabees serves as a reminder that even in times of darkness, miracles can happen, and the light must be shared. The fragility of the candle represents the delicate balance between care and courage, inviting Jews to stand proud and united.
Hundreds of people rallied in Oakland after the largest Menorah in the city was destroyed and thrown into Lake Merritt in a possible hate crime. The vandalism occurred during Hanukkah, and comes amid a rise in antisemitism across the United States. City crews cleaned up the debris while police started an investigation. The Jewish community and supporters came together for a nighttime vigil, replacing and relighting the Menorah. The event aimed to show unity and support, with speakers emphasizing the need to combat hate and antisemitism. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the police.
Vandals tore apart and threw a large menorah into Lake Merritt in Oakland, along with spray painting anti-Israel and antisemitic graffiti nearby. The Chabad Center of Oakland, which set up the menorah, expressed fear and anger over the incident. The vandalism is being investigated as a hate crime, and city workers recovered the menorah's metal parts. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao condemned the act and emphasized the importance of standing against hate and bigotry. The Jewish community plans to rebuild the menorah and invites people of all faiths to join in solidarity.
A historic menorah that gained fame through an iconic 1931 photo taken in Germany, featuring the menorah with a Nazi flag in the background, has made its way to the front lines of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The great-grandson of the photographer, an IDF reservist, brought the menorah to the Gaza border to inspire his unit. The menorah, along with the photo, has become a symbol of Jewish perseverance. The family usually displays it at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, but during Hanukkah, they bring it to their homes and share its history with others. The menorah represents the ongoing battle between light and darkness and the eternal nature of Israel.
A far-right Polish lawmaker, Grzegorz Braun, extinguished the candles of a menorah during a Hanukkah celebration in Poland's Parliament, causing a delay in a vote of confidence for the new prime minister. The incident highlights tensions in the country's Parliament and reflects the rise of antisemitic sentiments, particularly among populist right-wing political forces. Similar acts of vandalism and antisemitic incidents have been reported across Europe since the start of the Israel-Gaza war. The Chief Rabbi of Poland condemned the act, while the US Ambassador to Poland called it an "outrageous act" and emphasized the need to fight against antisemitism.