A Light Unto the Europeans

The holiday of Chanukah was proudly celebrated at headquarters of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium, thanks to Chabad Shluchim Rabbi Avi and Nehamah Tawil, co-directors of the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC).

On the first night of Chanukah, some 300 people gathered in the Schuman Square, “The Heart of Europe,” for a Menorah lighting in coordination with Maayan Hay centre directed by Brussels Chief Rabbi Menachem Hadad.

Patrick Menache lit the Shamash and Daniel Koltof recited the brachos and lit the first candle as participants joyfully danced along with the musical performance from Alessandro, an Italian musician.

A second high-profile event was held on the second night of Chanukah at the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, with its Vice President Maros Sefcovic.

Michael Leigh, senior advisor for the German Marshall Fund of the U.S. and Jonathan Faull, Director General of Internal Market and Services at the European Commission addressed the crowd.

Ronen Gil Or, Deputy Chief of Mission of Israel to the EU, lit the Menorah and recited the brachos.

“We are very pleased that festivals of the Jewish calendar are also marked in our institutions, so that to increase respect, understanding and tolerance between cultures in this union,” the European Commission’s Vice President said.

“For that reason we are thankful to the EJCC for bringing this celebration for the seventh consecutive time in the Commission,” Sefcovic added.