Site of deadliest massacre of Jews in British history hosts Chanukah lighting
The Festival of Lights celebrated inside York's Clifford's Tower, where 150 people were killed in the 12th century.
The infamous site of the deadliest massacre of Jews in British history has hosted an emotional Chanukah lighting.
On 16 March 1190, a series of antisemitic riots led to the deaths of the entire Jewish community of York who had taken refuge in the castle where Clifford’s Tower now stands. The tragedy stands as one of the darkest chapters in British history.
On Sunday evening more than 50 guests, including Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Cullwick and Sergeant Arfan Rahouf, representing North Yorkshire Police, attended a moving Chanukah celebration at the site – the first in the history of Clifford’s Tower.
Lilian Coulson, chair of York Liberal Jewish Community, told the audience: “This first lighting of a Chanukiah inside Clifford’s Tower, some 832 years after the massacre, is a symbol of unity and healing and a light of peace in our world. We stand here together today, welcoming those of all faiths and none to this city of sanctuary.”
Rabbi Charley Baginsky also noted the significance of the event’s location: She said: “I am inspired that we have come together tonight to do this supremely public, diverse and optimistic act together in this historic place, committing ourselves that we can bring light to the world when we are in partnership.”
The event was organised by English Heritage, North Yorkshire Police, and York Liberal Jewish Community.
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.
