The story of Hanukkah is based on events that took place in ancient times, but for Jews living in Melbourne, the festival’s meaning is particularly poignant this year.
Less than three weeks after the Adass Israel synagogue was firebombed in Ripponlea, Jewish leaders say their festival of lights is much needed at this moment.
This year, Hanukkah starts on Christmas Day, beginning on Wednesday evening. Although it always occurs towards the end of the year, it is relatively uncommon for the festival to coincide so neatly with Christmas.
Benjamin Klein and daughters Zahava and Breindy with their menorah. Credit: Justin McManus
Adass Israel synagogue board member Benjamin Klein said it had been a difficult time for his community since their place of prayer was set alight this month. But the arrival of the “kid-oriented” festival was most welcome, he said.
Children at his synagogue mark Hanukkah by singing songs in a choir, and they receive Hanukkah “gelt” (money in Yiddish) and gifts.
Klein said his congregation was unable to light their candelabra, called a menorah, in their synagogue, which was badly damaged in the fire.
“But at the same time [the festival] does symbolise light and does symbolise that we will be able to come through again,” he said.
Congregants praying at the temporary Adass Israel Synagogue. Credit: Justin McManus
This year, the Adass Israel congregation will hold their Hanukkah festivities in a temporary synagogue.
The firebombing came after a rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia. Over the past year, Klein said, he had personally experienced an increase in antisemitic abuse.
He said that every fortnight or so people had shouted antisemitic slurs like “dirty Jew” as walked to synagogue with his children. “I never experienced it before.”
But he insisted these instances of antisemitism had made him more determined to continue his religious practices and traditions.
“It makes you stronger and tougher and more adamant that we will continue our way of life.”
Hanukkah celebrates a revolt by a group of Jewish rebels, known as the Maccabees, who fought back against a Greek-Syrian king who had sought to suppress Jewish practices more than 2000 years ago.
Jews eat fried foods, including doughnuts, on Hanukkah. Credit: Justin McManus
The festival commemorates the re-dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem after it was desecrated. When the Maccabees went to relight the temple’s menorah, they found only enough oil to last one day. However, the oil miraculously lasted eight days. This “Hanukkah miracle” is why the festival lasts eight days.
Jews observe the festival by lighting a candle on the first night and progressively adding one for each evening of Hanukkah. They eat oily foods, including fried donuts and a kind of potato cake called latkes.
Ark Centre rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, who organised the Pillars of Light celebration at Federation Square on Wednesday night, agreed it had been an incredibly tough year for Australian Jews.
Many people in the Jewish community were outraged and unnerved by the display of racism on the steps of state parliament last week when neo-Nazis unfurled an antisemitic sign.
“Everybody’s looking for a little bit of light,” Kaltmann said. “The whole concept of Hanukkah is to add light every night. It’s such a beautiful festival to share with other people.”
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann in Federation Square for the Pillars of Light event. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Kaltmann said he had been overwhelmed by the response of people from different faiths and multicultural backgrounds who had responded to his invitation to the event saying they would join him in Federation Square because they wanted to call out antisemitism.
“We will stand up, and we’ll share our culture, our tradition and our faith.”
He said more action was needed to tackle antisemitism and called for a national conversation about racism.
Adass Israel congregant Eli Unfanger said his community would mark Hanukkah with joy and happiness.
“But at the same time, we’re reflecting on how we don’t have our synagogue,” he said. “It’s a different mindset.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.