Jews, some Christians and an imam celebrate the Jewish festival of lights Hanukkah together in Eindhoven on Sunday evening. Especially with the war in Gaza and growing anti-Semitism, they stand side by side in the City of Light. “This makes my heart jump,” said Jacques Offenbach, spokesman for the Jewish community.
“It’s fantastic. This is fraternization,” Jacques continues. “Let’s not bring the war here. Jews here are not Israelis,” he says. “It’s nice to be able to celebrate the party here together.”
‘Busier than ever’
Normally 100 to 150 people attend the festival of lights on Stadhuisplein. This year, people had to register in advance for safety reasons. 330 people with different faiths did this. “It is busier than ever,” says Offenbach.
In addition to Jewish people, there are also many Christians at the celebration. Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs finds this encouraging. “There are a lot of people from non-Jewish society. I think that’s great. It supports and it gives strength.”
Imam present
According to the rabbi, those present show that they will not abandon the Jewish community. For Jaap and Jacobien, two Christians who are at the celebration, this is only logical. “We want to make it clear that we sympathize with them and that we are involved with them.”
Even Imam Mehmet Nurullah Canatan of the Mevlana Mosque Eindhoven was present at the Jewish festival. There were also speeches by Rabbi Jacobs and Eindhoven mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem. “Let the lighting of the light also be the beginning of the return of hope. Hope, peace, connection, reconciliation,” says Dijsselbloem, after which he lights one of the candles on the candlestick.
Festival of Lights
Hanukkah, also called the festival of lights, is an eight-day Jewish festival. The holiday symbolizes hope and peace and is the Jewish counterpart of the Christian Christmas. “By being here you show that you are not afraid to stand up for peace,” said one of the attendees.
Sunday is the fourth day of the festival. A candle is lit every day. This is done to commemorate the ‘oil miracle’ in the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 164 BC. After switching on the lights on Stadhuisplein, coffee, tea and lemonade were drunk at the town hall. Traditionally there were oliebollen and music.