Mitzvah miracle as 50,000 blue candles are lit for Israel
Family education charity SEED who led initiative to show solidarity with Hamas terror victims, said many who collected candles felt encouraged to light their Shabbat candles for the first time
Almost 50,000 blue Shabbat candles were handed out to schools, synagogues and households across the UK last Friday, as part of an “incredibly unifying” initiative to show solidarity with Israel in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks that devastated the country on 7 October.
Social media was awash with images of the blue candles on Friday afternoon, accompanied with the hashtag #lightforisrael and a call for people to “do a mitzvah for Israel and bring light into the world”.
Family education charity Seed, which came up with the idea, said that many who collected candles revealed they had either never lit Shabbat candles before, had not lit them in a long time, or were not usually careful to light at the designated time, but had a desire to do so thanks to this initiative.
More than 150 volunteers helped collect the candles from suppliers, pack them with prayer cards and deliver them to stockists across London and Manchester.
Seed’s Jessica Boxer, head of fundraising and communications, who co-organised the effort with Rabbi Peretz Goldstein of Seed Borehamwood, said: “We have been overwhelmed and humbled by the response and by the display of unity and love.”
One of the many thousands who participated described it as “a simple idea, but thought-provoking and meaningful”, adding: “I lit mine with great pride and deep sadness at the reason for them.”
Rebbetzen Shoshana Landau of Barnet synagogue said: “Many people from the Barnet community who don’t normally come to shul – some of whom I had never even met before – came to my door to pick up the candles. It was an incredibly unifying and moving experience and a great avenue for connection.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
