The Triumph of Light over Darkness: Lord Mayor of Oxford lights Menorah outside Oxford's Oldest College

 

Despite the recent hosting of Holocaust denier David Irving at the Oxford Union, Chanukah was celebrated in Oxford with over a hundred people attending the grand 12ft Menorah lighting ceremony, organized by Chabad of Oxford, on Broad Street, outside Balliol College, the oldest colleges in Oxford, founded 1263.

 

In a sign of appreciation to Jewish tradition and the history of the community, The candles were kindled by the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor John Tanner, Rabbi Eli Brackman, director of Chabad of Oxford, Councillor and Leader of the Green Party, Craig Simmons, and Dr. Joshua Getzler, lecturer at St Hugh's College, on behalf of the University.

 

Other dignitaries in attendance were former Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Bob Price, Councillor Gill Sanders, Councillor John Sanders and other members of the City Council.

 

As Oxfordshire is celebrating this year 1,000 years since its founding, Rabbi Eli Brackman presented a silver Menorah to the Lord Mayor to be put on display in Oxford Town Hall.

 

Rabbi Brackman explained that Jews have lived in Oxfordshire also for almost 1,000 years, as recorded in Doomsday Book of 1086, and the display of a Menorah in Town Hall, its first Jewish symbol on display, would be a sign of unity, peace and harmony amongst all people in Oxford.

 

The lighting ceremony was followed by a professional fire juggler and unicyclist.