News / Hanukkah
Bristol’s Jewish community marks Hanukkah with both happiness and mourning
The people killed and injured at a Jewish festival in Sydney were remembered by Jews in Bristol at a poignant event on College Green.
At the lighting of a menorah on Sunday evening to mark the first day of Hanukkah, rabbi Mendy Singer from the Chabad of Bristol quoted a line from the Zohar: “Rejoicing is lodged in one side of my heart and tears on the other.”
“So when we come to this Hanukkah, we feel this mixture,” Singer said. “That we are supposed to be happy, to rejoice. But at the same time, we mourn and we pray.”
Singer added: “After the horrific attack in Sydney, I think it’s more important than ever that we stand together strong and that we shine our light to say we’re here and we will not be intimidated, and that light always wins over darkness…
“On the one hand, terror must be fought and with an uncompromising force when we face such terror. But no less and above all, we respond with light.
“They tried to cut short a Hanukkah celebration. And in turn, we will add more Hanukkah light in Bristol and around the world.”
A menorah is now in place on College Green for the duration of Hanukkah – photo: Rob Browne
Bristol North East MP Damien Egan helped to light the first candle on the menorah, a candelabra lit every day during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Egan said: “What happened on Bondi Beach today was deplorable, it was tragic, but sadly as we’ve seen through most of the commentary, it also doesn’t surprise us sadly…
“While I pay tribute to those who genuinely stand alongside our community, I understand that tomorrow we will return to what is our new normal where the dangers upon us are heightened.”
Dancing followed the lighting of the first candle on the menorah – photo: Rob Browne
Egan added: “One of the things as a member of parliament I find hardest is listening to politicians using the political expediency of the conflict in the Middle East to sow division, misinformation and aligning their voices with those who seek our destruction.
“Promoting the propaganda of the extremists online and on our streets to secure votes, knowing full well that their rhetoric makes us less safe.”
Bristol North East MP Damien Egan helped light the first candle on the menorah – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Rob Browne
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