New Zealand Jewish Council media release..
It wasn’t an equal contest on the stage at the Botanic Garden Sound Shell on Sunday: Wellington’s wind versus a large Hannukiah, the eight-branched candelabra used to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.
The wind toppled the candelabra, split it in half, smashed the glass candle-holders, and scattered the candles. But the show went on.
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster, Israeli Ambassador Dr Yitzhak Gerberg, National MP Hon Alfred Ngaro, former Attorney-General Hon Chris Finlayson, Jewish community and interfaith leaders were staunch with lighting the eight candles – lined up on a table – in spite of the continuing wind gusts.
The Hanukkah ceremony continued with singing, Klezmer music provided by The Kugels, and Israeli dancing.
Earlier, when the dignitaries gave short addresses, Mayor Andy Foster made a statement that gave comfort and pleasure to the Jews in the crowd.
He said he personally supports the adoption by Wellington City Council of the widely-recognised definition of antisemitism written by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. He will recommend it to City Councillors as a way of supporting the Wellington Jewish community, which he said had contributed a lot to the city over the years.
Editor’s note: According to the Embassy of Israel in New Zealand’s Facebook page, almost 500 people attended, over the course of the event, to celebrate the spirit of Hanukkah and enjoy the delicious kosher foods – as well as the entertainment.
