More than 5,000 primary school pupils join virtual menorah lighting
Students from across the world took part in 'Unite with Light' event, linking up with pupils in across the UK as well as the USA, Latvia and Stockholm
More than 5,000 Jewish primary school pupils from around the world joined a virtual candle-lighting ceremony for the seventh night of Chanukah.
The first ever ‘Unite with Light’ event took take place on Wednesday afternoon, organised by the Partnerships for Jewish Schools (PaJeS) with JLGB and UJIA, and made possible by Genesis Philanthropy Group.
The brainchild of Broughton Jewish Primary School teacher Dovi Colman, the event connected 200 classes from 25 schools globally, and included the lighting of a menorah in Israel. The ceremony had participation from schools across the UK as well as in the USA, Latvia and Stockholm.
Colman said: “In normal times, Chanukah might include concerts, events, huge Menorah lightings, and I wanted the children to experience that same sense of Jewish unity and togetherness this year”.
The event, which ran from 1.50pm to 2.40pm, included messages from Chief Rabbi Mirvis and Israel’s Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, as well as entertainment from Sacha Magic, music from Rabbi Marc Levine of Belmont shul and greetings from pupils.
PaJeS Executive Director Rabbi David Meyer, said: “At a time of such darkness there is perhaps no better to way to bring light into our lives than to see children from across the world celebrating Chanukah and lighting together. It reinforces the Chanukah message that by standing and praying together we can overcome adversity and bring light and joy back into our lives”.
You can tune into the event here: https://www.pajes.org.uk/unite_with_light
Re watch it on Jewish News’ Facebook page:
Join primary school pupils from across the UK and around the world for a Chanukah celebration and lighting of the 7th candle – starring Chief Rabbi Mirvis and Sacha Magic! This event has been organised by PAJES and is powered by JLGB Virtual with UJIA and has been made possible by Genesis Philanthropy Group. Happy Chanukah!
Posted by The Jewish News on Wednesday, December 16, 2020
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