Judaism - Hanukkah celebrations begin in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz
At the beginning of the Jewish Festival of Lights, the first candle will be lit on a large Hanukkah candelabra at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Thursday (3.00 pm). According to the organizers, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will take part in the ceremony for the first time. Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor and the family of Yarden Roman, who was temporarily held hostage by the terrorist organization Hamas, have also been announced. Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner will give a welcoming address.
This year, the organizers also want to call for the protection of Jewish life. Following the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, hundreds of anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in Germany. Many Jews report fears. The Berlin police have issued a general order for the ceremony with strict security precautions and barriers around the Brandenburg Gate.
Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem after a revolt against the Greeks in 164 BC and the "miracle of light" of a candelabrum burning for eight days. The festival also lasts eight days, this year until December 15. Every day, another light is lit on the candelabrum known as Hanukkah. The religious background has nothing to do with Christmas, but the message and symbols are similar: light in the dark season and family celebrations with gifts.
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- Ron Prosor expressed his gratitude to Olaf Scholz for supporting the Hanukkah celebrations in Berlin, recognizing the importance of religious freedom and tolerance in Germany.
- Despite the heightened security measures due to anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, Harakat el-Mukawame el-Islamije condemned the attacks on Jewish communities and called for peace and unity among all religions.
- Kai Wegner emphasized the significance of the Hanukkah festival in Berlin, highlighting its religious aspects and its role as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
- In light of the Hamas terror attack and the subsequent anti-Semitic incidents, many Jews in Germany are considering relocating to safer regions, such as Israel, leading to a decline in Jewish population in Berlin.
- Jewish organizations in Germany, including the Central Council of Jews and the Jewish Community Berlin, have been working closely with the German government and the police to ensure the safety of their community during the Hanukkah festival and throughout the year.
Source: www.stern.de
