Chief Rabbi leads Polish Jews in Hanukkah celebration
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
20.12.2011 11:12
Poland's Chief Rabbi has announced the beginning of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights.
“Every Jewish household should light a Hanuukkah candle,” Rabbi Michael Schudrich said in an interview with Polish Radio.
Schudrich described the holiday as “a very warm, family orientated” occasion.
Also known as the Festival of Dedication, Hanukkah was created to give thanks for the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd Century BC.
The historic event took place during the revolt of the Maccabees, a Jewish army that rebelled against the Seleucid Empire.
“We remember that miracle that took place long ago,” Schrudrich said, “but we also have hope that God will continue to provide help in today's times.”
Dishes fried in oil are a staple of Hanukkah, and on Tuesday evening at 6 pm, it will be possible to try kosher doughnuts on Warsaw's Plac Grzybowski, where a candle-lighting ceremony will be held by the city's Jewish community.
Prior to the Second World War, Poland provided a home to over 3 million Jews. As a result of the Holocaust and subsequent waves of emigration, only about 40,000 remain today. (nh/pg)