Jews in Saxony will be celebrating Hanukkah, their festival of lights, over the next few days. The Jewish community in Chemnitz is hosting public celebrations at the Stadthallenpark from December 7 to 14. An eight-branched candelabra, around 2 meters high, will be erected there - based on a design by Canadian architect Tim Fu. Every day, a candle will be lit, prayers will be said and songs will be sung. There will also be music and delicacies. "A public Hanukkah candelabra has long been a dream of the community," explained chairwoman Ruth Röcher.
The project had already been planned before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were killed in Israel, emphasized co-initiator and managing director of the Days of Jewish Culture, Chris Münster. "Jewish life in Chemnitz has been an integral part of the city's society for over 140 years," he said. Protecting it, making it visible and raising awareness among citizens is particularly important in light of the rising number of anti-Semitic crimes and hostilities against Jews worldwide.
The Hanukkah festival dates back to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BC.
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