Ice, Fire, and Anxiety: How Russia Celebrates Hanukkah
This year, Hanukkah is celebrated from the evening of December 14th to December 22nd. The first candle-lighting ceremonies took place in some regions the night before. However, despite the festive atmosphere, Moscow For the first time in 30 years, the public street lighting of the Hanukkah symbol was cancelled.
🔸 A Hanukkiah made from two tons of ice was carved next to a synagogue in Tomsk, the city's chief rabbi reported Levy KaminetskyThis evening, the Jews of Tomsk already held the lighting of the second candle.
According to the Tomsk Jewish Community's Telegram channel, the city has already celebrated children's Hanukkah with songs and ice games, and volunteers have visited elderly residents to light candles and pray with them.
🔸 Another ice Hanukkah was installed yesterday in the courtyard of the Great Choral Synagogue. St. PetersburgThe city's chief rabbi lit it. Menachem-Mendl PevznerA theatrical performance and light show were shown at the synagogue, and the Moscow Klezmer Band performed.
🔸 In Vladivostok Members of the Jewish community first gathered in the Honorary Citizens' Square for the symbolic lighting of the first electric "candle" on the street, and then moved to the Beit Sima synagogue.
Chairman of the community Sergei Corncrake He emphasized that the holiday symbolizes the preservation of the divine presence in the world, and the Consul General shared the joy of the celebration with the people of Vladivostok. India Sri Saddarth Gaurav. He compared Hanukkah to the Indian Diwali, the "Festival of Lights."
🔸 And here in Moscow For the first time since 1991, the street lighting of Hanukkah was not approved. "For security reasons", the press service of the Chief Rabbi of Russia reported. Berla Lazar.
The reason was the shooting during the Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, where two gunmen shot and killed 16 people, including a 10-year-old girl. Another 38 people were injured.
Photo: Tomsk Review, Levi Kaminetsky, Synagogue of St. Petersburg
