Oxford Chabad Society makes history with lighting of giant Menorah by first Jewish Sheriff of Oxford in over a thousand yearsOver 200 people attended Oxford Chabad Society’s giant Menorah lighting on Broad St, in the heart of Oxford City Centre, outside one of Oxford’s oldest colleges, Balliol College.
This year’s lighting was a historic event, as the guest of honour was likely the first ever Jewish Sheriff of Oxford in over a thousand years, Cllr Elise Benjamin, who helped light the 12 foot Menorah and addressed the crowd.
Cllr Benjamin expressed her pride in being the first Jewish Sheriff of Oxford in a city that only allowed Jews to study at its institutions about 150 years ago.
Rabbi Eli Brackman, director of the Oxford University Chabad Society, who chaired the ceremony, spoke of the responsibility of the role of the Sheriff in medieval times and the symbol of this role today with rising anti-Semitism in Europe. When the Jews used to be possessions of the Crown, the Sheriff was charged with being their guardian and responsible for their well being against Christian anti-Semitic attacks. The almost thousand year old Oxford Castle, which still towers above parts of Oxford, would be used by the Sheriff to hold the Jews until the Jew-hating mobs would subside and it would be safe for the Jewish community to return to their homes.This appreciation of history and relevance today was tangible at the lighting of the Menorah with the Oxford castle visible from where the Menorah was kindled on Broad St with the first Jewish Sheriff of the city.
As the election of a Jewish Sheriff is perceived as a historic milestone in civic life in Oxford, the Lord Mayor who traditionally lights the Menorah each Chanukah on behalf of the City, requested the Sheriff to light it on her behalf.
The dignitaries who attended the lighting of the Menorah included Head of the Green Party, Cllr. Craig Simmons, the City Rector Bob Wilkes, and a number of Fellows of the university.The crowd was entertained by a fire juggler and unicyclist.
The event was dedicated as in previous years to former Jewish head of the Green party in Oxford, Cllr Dr. Mike Wooden, lecturer of psychology at Balliol College, who was instrumental in helping the Chabad Society get permission from the County Council in 2001 for the erection of the Menorah in the city. He tragically died at the young age of 38 in 2004.
People were served with traditional Chanukah foods, latkes and donuts, with Klezmer music accompaniment.