In 1190, Clifford’s Tower in York was the scene of a notorious pogrom that left over 150 Jews dead.
Last Sunday, the tower hosted its first Jewish ceremony in more than 800 years, a Chanukah celebration hosted by the York Liberal community in conjunction with North Yorkshire Police.
Guests came from across Northern England and there were speeches from the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, York’s Lord Mayor-elect, Councillor Chris Cullwick, and Andrea Selley of English Heritage.
York Liberal chair Lilian Coulson expressed the hope that the event would “help heal old wounds”.
The 1190 massacre had been “a dark time in the history of the Jews in York”, she said.
“We stand here at Clifford’s Tower today to remember the atrocities that once took place at this very spot, to shine the Chanukah lights on the darkness around us and to pray for a better world.”
Ms Coulson added afterwards that the poignancy of the occasion hit home as the Jewish participants delivered a rousing rendition of Ma’or Tzur.
Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky — who was unable to travel to York because of weather conditions — sent a message of congratulations to a “supremely public, diverse and optimistic act in this historic place. We can bring light to the world when we are in partnership.”
The Archbishop and Ms Selley lit the chanukiah as York Liberal vice-chair Shaan Bloch recited the blessings.
