Thousands of people from the Melbourne Jewish community of all ages gathered on Sunday December 17, the sixth night of Chanukah, at the centrally located Caulfield Park to mark Melbourne’s 26th annual Chanukah celebration.
For decades, The Chabad House of Caulfield has been organizing the event under the leadership of Rabbi Yossel Gutnick, which had seen the annual event become Australia’s largest annual Jewish event with close to 10,000 people of all ages attending each year.
Revelers convened on the park grounds in the afternoon to enjoy the exciting rides and entertainment for children and teens and to sit down with family and friends while enjoying a wide range of offerings from the local Kosher restaurants. The local Rikod band excited the crowd with lively Jewish music and Chanukah songs.
Before dark, the community heard greetings from Rabbi Zalman Gutnick, director of Chabad of Carnegie, which was followed by greetings from Federal politicians, Senator James Paterson, Michael Danby MP and Tim Wilson MP. State government representatives included David Southwick MP and Tim Smith MP alongside local council representatives Joel Silver, Jaymie Hyams and Margaret Essakoff.
A recurring theme of the speeches was the proud and unequivocal support of the local Jewish community and statements supporting Israel including loud calls for Australia to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s historical and eternal capital.
The huge Menorah was then lit by Rabbi Zalman Gutnick and the elected officials.
Following a tradition of decades at Chanukah in the Park, the Menorah lighting was followed by a huge fireworks show and lively dancing.
Rabbi Pinny Super, the director of Chabad Young Professionals Melbourne, who organized the annual event on behalf of the Chabad House Of Caulfield, said, “it’s a remarkable thing to see young couples bring their children to Chanukah in the park this year, young couples who 25+ years ago themselves were children attending the same event, returning this year with their own children!”
