The powerful display of solidarity was lauded for drawing representatives from across the religious and political spectrum
December 14, 2023 14:27
ByDaniel Ben-David, Daniel Ben-David
Chanukah candles were lit in the Houses of Parliament for the first time ever on Wednesday, in a cross-communal and politically diverse display of solidarity with British Jews.
Lord John Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, arranged the historic event with the All-Party Parliamentary Group against Antisemitism, with support by both the Commons and the Lords Speakers.
In attendance was Keir Starmer, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Home Secretary James Cleverly, Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, Lord Speaker John McFall, Lord Stuart Polak, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and Progressive Judaism co-chief executive Rabbi Charley Baginsky.
Lord Mann introduced the event by acknowledging its significance and the opportunity for Jewish parliamentarians and Jewish staff members including civil servants to stand together with parliamentarians and celebrate the Jewish festival of light.
This afternoon, for the first time in Westminster Hall, I joined in the candle lighting for the 7th night of #Hanukkah alongside the @LordSpeaker, Members of Parliament, distinguished guests and colleagues.
— Sir Lindsay Hoyle (@CommonsSpeaker) December 13, 2023
Happy Hanukkah. pic.twitter.com/l9C5iPQ4KQ
Speaking to the JC Lord Mann added: "Westminster Hall is the perfect setting for the lighting of the Chanukah candles and for this to happen for the first time in its 1000-year history, really is a historic event. Mr Speaker and the Lord Speaker should be proud of themselves today. "
The service was led by Chief Rabbi Mirvis who, speaking on stage, said: “A picture is worth a thousand words, and what a picture we’ve got here. Unprecedented in Westminster Hall, the Chanukah menorah is just about to be kindled in the presence of the Home Secretary, the leader of the opposition, leaders of other parties, Mr Speaker, Lord Speaker, Rabbi Baginsky, it’s just amazing. What a statement this is.
“When it comes to antisemitism, our nation is united, and the fight against antisemitism is not left to the Jewish people but rather is being led from the highest authorities in the country down.”
Chief Rabbi Mirvis went on to thank those on stage for their demonstration of leadership on behalf of all British Jews. “We’re so proud to be British Jews, […] and thanks to the leadership that is being shown here in Westminster, we can be filled with hope for a bright and promising future.”
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) December 13, 2023
Tonight, in the presence of leaders from all parties and across British politics, we celebrated Chanukah among friends. @APPGAA pic.twitter.com/dF9fw9XzxW
Lord Polak shared with the JC that while the candles were being lit, he was thinking about how it was in exactly the spot where Her Majesty the Queen lay in state last year, and how “with all the difficulties the Jewish community is facing, we are fortunate to be able to live as Jews in this tolerant and free society that is the United Kingdom, and I hope that it remains tolerant and free for my children and grandchildren.”
This was my shecheyanu moment of Chanukah lighting candles in Westminster hall for the first time in history… was historic for so many reasons thank you @LordJohnMann pic.twitter.com/IDKBkGMHvv
— Rabbi Charley (@RabCharley) December 13, 2023
Rabbi Baginsky said that despite the event happening on the seventh night of Chanukah, it “deserved its own shehecheyanu”.
She added, “The idea of being able to represent the diversity of the political and religious spectrums at the heart of parliament was unbelievably powerful. It is possible to have a multitude of voices within shared values, or in this case a shared Chanukiah.”