HIGH SPIRITS AT LONDON MENORAH LIGHTING DESPITE RELENTLESS RAIN
Adapted from Anash News ה׳ טבת ה׳תשפ״ג - DECEMBER 29, 2022
For the fourth year,
the Leytonstone Menorah stood at the far end of Fillebrook Road – just opposite
Leytonstone tube station, East London.
On Sunday 18th December, which
was the first night of Chamuka, the shamesh was lit by the Mayor of Waltham
Forest, Karen Bellamy, in front of a crowd of over 300 people who
sampled traditional doughnuts, latkes, and hot chocolate. This year’s public
menorah lighting featured music from the London Klezmer Band, led
by Yossi Davidovich (clarinet), along with Josh
Middleton (accordion), Piotr Jordan (violin)
and Noam Barkani (guitar). They were joined by Menasche
Scharf, the founder of The Shul Hoppers, who – apart from
keeping the crowds dancing - also sang the three Chanukah blessings.
Leytonstone and
Wanstead Synagogue’s Rabbi Yitzchok Austin, whose family also attended,
gave a talk about Hakhel to a mixed crowd of local Shul members and visitors
from neighbouring areas including Walthamstow, Stratford, and Forest Gate.
Various local dignitaries including Councillors and Waltham Forest Council
representatives were also in attendance. Despite the relentless rain and after
a freezing week of snow and ice, high spirits were sustained throughout the
Menorah lighting event with plenty of singing, socialising, and dancing.
The Leytonstone
Menorah was made using funds granted by Waltham Forest London Borough of
Culture 2019 and the installation with logistical and infrastructural support
from the National Highways. The street party was supported by the London
Borough of Waltham Forest’s Leader’s Fund; and the overall event was organised
by Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue – a small dynamic community based in
Fillebrook Road, Leytonstone, East London.
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