A very Kiwi event

Described as “a very Kiwi event,” the lighting of all eight Chanukah candles in front of Wellington’s Parliament Buildings during the MPs’ dinner break brought public celebration of the festival to a close. Read more

President Herzog lights the 8th candle with hostage families

President Isaac Herzog lit the eighth candle of Chanukah last night at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv with the families of hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Read more

Israelis mobilise to bring the Light of Chanukah to the troops

As Israel enters the third month of its war against Hamas, fundraising efforts to provide Israeli soldiers on the frontlines with the means to celebrate Chanukah have multiplied. Read more

How many light are kindled during Chanukah?

Ask the rabbi. Read more

Israeli families absent loved ones mark a sombre Chanukah

“We always celebrated Chanukah as a family,” Eyal Waldman, 63, from Tel Aviv, explained to the Tazpit Press Service. “We went skiing in Courchevel [in France]. Now, wherever we go, at every celebration and every family event, Danielle will be missing.” Read more

About miracles

I am wary of miracles. Not that amazing, unpredictable, and seemingly miraculous things do not happen all the time. Read more

Chanukah – Lights of Hope

Two months on from the 7^th of October terrorist attack, the ECAJ, Lights of Hope and Moriah College held a Chanukah event, commemorating the atrocity and bringing in the holiday as a community. Read more

Menorah candles banned on cruise

For the first time since December 2019, when the word corona still simply meant a crown, my wife and I were invited to celebrate the happy return of cruising to Australasia by once again leading the Chanuka programme for the Jewish guests (and other interested parties) on the Ovation of the Seas…writes Rabbi Chaim Ingram. Read more

Chanukah then and now

If we were to go back two thousand one hundred and ninety years ago, to the time of Antiochus IV and the Maccabee Revolt, we would find a state of the world and Jewish affairs in many ways similar to today. Read more

Chanukah message from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The festival of Chanukah is a powerful story about the strength of the Jewish faith and the heroism of the few over the many. Read more

Hindu and Jewish communities celebrate festivals together

Around 100 members of the Jewish and Hindu communities gathered in Sydney for a joint interfaith Chanukah/Diwali event organised by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) and the Hindu Council of Australia. Read more

First known Chinese-language dreidels produced for China’s Kaifeng Jews

In honour of Chanukah, the Jerusalem-based nonprofit Shavei Israel designed and produced hundreds of dreidels with Mandarin lettering for the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng, China, as well as for 20 members of the community who have already made Aliya to Israel with the organization’s assistance. Read more

Prime Minister Bennett and President Herzog light first Chanukah candles

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett lit the first Chanukah candle at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and President Isaac Herzog visits the Cave of the Patriarchs where he also lit the first Chanukah candle. Read more

British soccer team to host Premier League’s first Chanukah event

Watford FC will be the first-ever Premier League club to host a Chanukah celebration, the team has announced. Read more

Boomerang menorah

Chabad North Queensland has lit up a giant boomerang menorah on the Cairns Esplanade. Read more

The myths of Chanukah

There are several myths about Chanukah. That Judah Maccabee defeated the Seleucid Emperor Antiochus decisively and regained independence for the Judean state. That when Judah did regain control of the Temple, a miracle took place. Read more

A Boris bear hug against British antisemitism

Is the British government beginning to change its century-old attitude of ambiguity towards Israel and come out instead as its unequivocal friend? Don’t get too excited just yet. Read more

World’s most valuable dreidel certified by Guinness World Records

Estate Diamond Jewellers in New York City has created the world’s most valuable dreidel, according to Guinness World Records. Read more

Has anything changed?

We are in the midst of what is commonly known as the “festive season.” Read more

Mango Menorah

The Cairns Jewish community have lit the first candle on the public Hanukkah menorah erected at the Cairns Esplanade. Read more

The Unknown Chanukah Megillah

Chanukah and Purim are often compared. But the differences are substantial. Read more

Jack Black, Flaming Lips and Haim among those to join Hanukkah album

A holiday-inspired music album titled “Hanukkah+” will be released on Nov. 22 and feature a collection of Jewish classics and originals from artists, including Haim, the Flaming Lips, Jack Black and Yo La Tengo, The Rolling Stone reported. Read more

Mixed messages…writes Michael Kuttner

It is not always easy to decide whether expressions of appreciation are genuine messages of solidarity or merely politically expedient and opportunist attempts to curry support. Read more

A Chanukah alphabet

Rabbi Raymond Apple goes through his A-U on Chanukah. Read more

Walt Secord sends Chanukah greetings

A Chanukah message from the Deputy Leader of Opposition in NSW Walt Secord… Read more

A Happy Chanukah from Ray Williams

The NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams sends a Chanukah greeting…. Read more

A solemn moment at a joyous event

For a few moments, the dancing and music at the lighting of  a the giant Menorah in Sydney’s Martin Place turned to silence as heads bowed and silence dominated as families, and religious and political leaders stood in silence to remember Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson who died in the Lindt Café siege last year…close by to where the Menorah stands. Read more

Holocaust survivors and the President

President Reuven Rivlin lit Chanukah candles at the President’s Residence, together with survivors of the Holocaust. Read more

Chanukah tales

Sydney’s Young Adult Chabad have distributed hundreds of latkes and doughnuts in Martin Place.

Read more

Menorah at the Opera House

Sydney’s CBD will light the Menorah outside Sydney Opera House on Monday. Read more

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