On Wednesday evening, 14 December 2022, dozens of European lawmakers, diplomats, civil servants, and dignitaries from 27 countries gathered to celebrate the upcoming Chanukah holiday. The highlight this year was the exhibition “Illuminating the Streets of Ukraine with Chanukah” by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, showing public Chanukah Menorah lightings in city plazas and squares of 16 Ukrainian cities.
The host of this year’s “EuroChanukah” event, Antonio López-Istúriz White, EPP Spanish Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the EP Delegation for Relations with Israel, opened the “EuroChanukah” ceremony by recalling that the first EuroChanukah was held in 2001. “Chanukah means education. For this reason, it became customary for community officials to gather together on Chanukah and to prescribe ways of enhancing peace, tolerance, and understanding.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions that are in effect, public receptions at the European Parliament were strictly forbidden. However, in responding to the derogation request for “EuroChanukah,” the Questors of the House changed the rules last week to allow for “EuroChanukah” to take place.
Pointing to the “Illuminating the Streets of Ukraine with Chanukah” exhibition, His Excellency Boris Tarasyuk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Council of Europe, highlighted its meaningful timing on the day the European Parliament awarded the Ukrainian People with its prestigious Sakharov Prize. “Tonight, all of our hearts are united with the citizens of Ukraine. Let us hope that the traditional ceremonies of Chanukah will bring courage and peace to countless families gathering and rejoicing around the candles throughout Ukraine.”
“The Lubavitch Rebbe’s emissaries around the world bring light and joy, especially here in the European Parliament,” expressed His Excellency Gary Koren, Israel’s Ambassador to Croatia. Koren was also present at the “EuroChanukah” event in Strasbourg and, on behalf of Israel, praised the work of Chabad-Lubavitch which he was privileged to witness during his years in the Israeli Ambassador to Latvia, Czech Republic, Russia and now Croatia.
Co-Organizer of the event Rabbi Mendel Samama, Rabbi of Strasbourg and Consistoire’s Chargé of European Affairs, invited Maurice Dahan, the President of the Consistoire, Rabbi Harold Weill, Chief Rabbi of Strasbourg, and other dignitaries to symbolically light the eight candles of the Chanukah, ensuing by singing Chanukah Traditional Melodies.
“Respect for G-d, for human life, respect for the family, for other people’s property, the creation and respect of a judicial system, and respect for all creatures and the environment, are laws for peace and unity in our society,” master of ceremony Rabbi Levi Matusof highlighted, in reference to The Seven Noachide Universal Laws.
He thanked the partners of this year’s “EuroChanukah”: the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine; ELNET; the Consistoire Israélite du Bas Rhin; and Jeunessse Lubavitch of Strasbourg.
Many Members of the European Parliament inquired about the timing and location of public Menorah lightings in their respective cities so they could join the celebrations at home too.
The guests then enjoyed Israeli wines from the Golan Heights, thanks to Sydney Kanfou from CASIMEX.
“Kol Hakavod Lachem,” proclaimed Irit A. to Rabbi Levi Matusof and Rabbi Mendel Samama. “You always give me the opportunity to celebrate the Jewish Holidays, when we are far from our families while serving in the European Parliament, far away from home,” concluded Irit who has been working in the European Parliament for over 20 years and has attended all “EuroChanukah” celebrations since 2001.
