Chanukiah lights up Brisbane
A six metre tall menorah was lit in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall this week.
A Queensland Chanukah
Over 1200 people joined Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Rabbi Levi Jaffe in a countdown to the moment of lighting the enormous candles. Lifted to the top of the giant menorah in a suitably decorated cherry picker, Lord Mayor Quirk received enthusiastic cheers from the huge gathering as the centre ‘service candle’ burst into flame. Following the recital of the appropriate blessings, the kindling of the first light by Rabbi Jaffe heralded the official beginning of Chanukah.
Chabad Brisbane, on behalf of the Brisbane Jewish community, presented Lord Mayor Graham Quirk with a gift of a crystal menorah in appreciation of his continued support for bringing Chanukah into the heart of the city.
Other distinguished guests at the event included Senator Claire Moore representing the Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Michael Choi MP for Premier Anna Bligh. Both brought warm wishes and messages of support and appreciation from our state and national leaders. Also in attendance were Jason Steinberg, President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, and many other State and Local delegates and community leaders. A message for the event was also received by Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks of the British Commonwealth.
Parents, children, grandchildren and friends of the Jewish community feasted on traditional oil-fried Chanukah fare including latkes (potato pancakes) and doughnuts while enjoying lively music performed by the Hylton Chilchik band. The memorable event culminated with an exhilarating fireworks display bursting into an explosion of colour over the Brisbane River.
Jewish community stalwart Pamela Huppert said: “It’s the best Chanukah celebration I have been to, and I congratulate the organisers on such a wonderfully joyous evening.” Organisers are already looking forward to doing it all again in 2012.
The 6 metre tall Menorah wil remain in Reddacliff Place for the duration of Chanukah.
Chanukah in the City is a project of Chabad Brisbane, run by Shluchim Rabbi Levi Jaffe and Chanoch Sufrin.
