Clwyd West MS Darren Millar sponsored a Hanukkah event at the Senedd this week bringing together the Lord Lieutenant, First Minister and other dignitaries with the Jewish Community to celebrate and kindle a 9 foot menorah on the steps of the Welsh Parliament.
He said:
“I was delighted to sponsor this significant event for the Jewish community in Wales, especially given the recent rise in antisemitism across the UK following the events in Israel and Gaza in recent months.
“Hanukkah recalls a great victory and miracle over 2,000 years ago when the Jewish people living in Israel faced persecution from the Syrian-Greek Empire who refused to let them practice Judaism. They empire desecrated and defiled the Jewish temple in Jerusalem destroying the candelabra that had been a focal point of the daily service.
“Upon successfully chasing the invaders out of Jerusalem, the temple was rededicated and the menorah candelabra was rebuilt. Only one jar of pure olive oil was found, enough to burn for one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight.
“Today, the holiday carries a universal message of the triumph of freedom over oppression and of light over darkness. Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days.
“The event was well attended, and it was pleasing to see so many of my fellow MSs from all political parties showing their support for the Jewish community.”
Hanukkah, the festival of lights, began on December 7 and runs until today, Friday, December 15.
The event was organised by the Cardiff United Synagogue, a centre of Jewish life and practice, dedicated to the ideals of Orthodox Judaism.
The Shul caters to the physical and spiritual needs of the community with pastoral and life cycle support, whilst providing the infrastructure required to live according to Jewish traditions.
The future of the community depends upon maintaining its numbers, with a drive towards the younger age group, to ensure the community prospers in the long term.
For further information, please visit Cardiff Shul (UK) | Cardiff United Synagogue.
