A Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) defies the Nazi swastika, Kiel, Germany
This photo is from 1931; the Nazis had not yet risen to power, but the threat was acutely felt by the woman, Rachel Posner, who snapped the iconic shot. Her husband, Rabbi Dr. Akiva Posner, was the rabbi of the small town of Kiel.
Written on the back of the photo, in German Rachel Posner writes “Chanukah, 5692. ‘Judea dies,’ thus says the banner. ‘Judea will live forever,’ thus respond the lights.”
Photo: Yad Vashem collections
“There always were two ways to live in a world that is often dark and full of tears. We can curse the darkness or we can light a light, and as the Chassidim say, a little light drives out much darkness. May we all help light up the world.”
—Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand wishes you a happy Hanukkah!
