Site of bloodiest massacre of Jews holds ‘first of its kind’ menorah lighting
search

The latest Jewish News

Read this week’s digital edition

Click Here

Site of bloodiest massacre of Jews holds ‘first of its kind’ menorah lighting

'When the candles were kindled, I couldn't help but think deeply of all those Jewish victims who seemed to have lost hope and now, all those years later we have lit up the city'

(From left to right)  Superintendent Matt Walker,  Superintendent Mark Khan  Rabbi Walker,  PC Arfan Rahouf,  Moshe Rothstein from GMP , Undersheriff of York  Lilian Coulson, Chair of the York Liberal Jewish Community  Sheriff of York
(From left to right) Superintendent Matt Walker, Superintendent Mark Khan Rabbi Walker, PC Arfan Rahouf, Moshe Rothstein from GMP , Undersheriff of York Lilian Coulson, Chair of the York Liberal Jewish Community Sheriff of York

The site of the bloodiest massacre of Jews on British soil was the location for a “first of its kind” menorah lighting last week.

Community members from Harrogate, Leeds, York and Manchester attended the poignant event at Clifford’s Tower in York.

Almost one thousand years ago some 150 Jews were killed at the site after tying to escape a baying mob. Once trapped in the tower, many committed suicide rather than be murdered or forcibly baptised.

Superintendent Mark Khan, York Commander, said: “This celebration was the first of its kind for us in North Yorkshire Police, and we look forward to making it an annual event.

“We wanted to mark Chanukah as part of our commitment to being a more inclusive organisation and having a deeper understanding of all the communities we serve. We were delighted to stand together in solidarity with the local Jewish Communities.

Chanukiah lit up with Clifford’s tower in the background

“The location was very poignant, because although it’s easy to say the atrocities that happened there are in the past, we know that Hate Crime is very real in today’s society, and people are still being targeted for their race, religion or beliefs.

“This will not be tolerated, and I want to send a clear message that we are here for everyone and no matter who you are or what your belief is, we will work hard to make sure you are safe in the city”.

Special Inspector Moshe Rothstein from Greater Manchester Police, who was key in organising the event, said: “This has been an absolute honour and privilege working together with North Yorkshire Police in getting this significant Chanukah event off the ground, especially at such a historical location in British Jewry.

“I’m in no doubt, Jewish communities nationally will have felt true commitment and support from NYP in marking such a historical event.

“When the candles were kindled, I couldn’t help but think deeply of all those Jewish victims who seemed to have lost hope and now, all those years later we have lit up the city of York with these beautiful Chanukah kindled, spreading goodness & kindness for a brighter tomorrow.”

The present tower was built 60 years after the massacre, but it’s thought the earth mound may still contain evidence from 1190. Daffodils – whose six-pointed shape resemble the Star of David – are planted around the anniversary of the massacre.

Clifford’s Tower
Support your Jewish community. Support your Jewish News

Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.

For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.

Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.

You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.

100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...

Engaging

Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.

Celebrating

There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.

Pioneering

In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.

Campaigning

Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.

Easy access

In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.

Voice of our community to wider society

The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.

We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.

read more: