Martin Place Giant Menorah features on Channel 7 news

Highlights of Sydney’s largest and original Giant Menorah were aired on Channel Seven News as the lights glowed in Martin Place Sydney.

Standing right outside the Reserve Bank of Australia and opposite the New South Wales Parliament House, the menorah attracted hundreds who braved the gale-force winds to participate in the event but millions across the State watched the Seven News clips reminding everyone that it’s time to celebrate Chanukah.

Prior to the event, dozens of cars carrying menorah on their roofs paraded through the city reminding all of the Miracle of Chanukah.

Organised by Chabad Youth NSW in conjunction with Chabad CBD and Chabad NSW, heard greetings from government dignitaries, participate in the giant Menorah lighting ceremony and enjoy the range of entertainment for the kids.

The event opened with Chabad Youth NSW director and event coordinator, Rabbi Elimelech Levy who welcomed everyone and thanked all those who made the event happen including Benny Barukh who organised the motorcade.

Rabbi Pinchus Feldman, head shaliach and leader of Chabad NSW spoke of the importance of the Menorah, how it resembles freedom of religion, something that is not only enjoyed by the Jewish community but by so many others as well. He said: “Thank G-d we are all free to practice our faith in freedom without the fear of persecution in Australia.”

Natalie Ward MLC spoke on behalf of the Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian, wishing the Jewish community well and encouraging all to continue to grow and prosper.

David Clarke who has been Parliamentary Secretary for Justice in NSW for the past eight years and a staunch supporter of the Chabad movement read a letter from Prime Minister  Scott Morrison,

Following the greetings, the song of Oshe Shalom was sung by Cantor Yehoshua Niasoff in tribute to the victims and survivors of the Lindt Cafe siege of 2014 which took place only a few paces away from the giant menorah and also in tribute to all those who have been suffering as a result of the 120+ bush fires currently raging across NSW

Following the Menorah lighting ceremony, all assembled were treated to a hilarious street show and by Jamey the Unicycle Unicorn and a 12-foot unicycle.

The joint Wentworth Courier and Chabad Youth NSW National Menorah Coloring Competition was won by 9-yr-old Sammy Levi of Kesser Torah College who received a Nintendo Switch.

Photographs credit to Adam of that’s it Photography.