Chanukka Celebrations Shine Across Germany Amid Rising Antisemitism

Jewish communities light menorahs in public spaces to promote hope, unity, and resilience during the eight-day festival.

Large menorahs were lit in cities like Frankfurt, Berlin, and Hannover, symbolizing hope, peace, and solidarity during the Jewish festival of Chanukka.
In Berlin, Mayor Kai Wegner lit the fifth candle of a menorah near the Brandenburg Gate, joined by a Holocaust survivor and Jewish leaders.
The celebrations occur during a period of increased antisemitic incidents, with two menorahs in Berlin recently vandalized; investigations are underway.
The festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of a one-day oil supply lasting eight days in 164 BCE.
Jewish leaders emphasized the importance of unity and resilience, with public menorah lightings serving as a response to hate and a call for peace.