Due to Covid restrictions, authorities informed Chabad Golders Green that they would be unable to host their annual Public Menorah Lighting. Instead they aired it during BBC’s primetime evening news.
The Menorah at Golders Green Station has been the icon of the London Jewish community for the past 38 years. However, due to Covid restrictions, authorities informed Chabad Golders Green that they would be unable to host their annual Public Menorah Lighting.
After writing to the Rebbe for a bracha, they eventually received the necessary permits and permissions to erect the Menorah, albeit without the usual fanfare and thousands of people who would normally participate.
The Menorah was lit each evening and was streamed on social media, so people could experience the taste of the annual lighting ceremony, from the comfort and safety of their homes.
BBC London picked up on this and on the first night of Chanukah sent their reporter and camera crew to the Menorah and interviewed Rabbi Yossi Simon of Chabad Golders Green. The lighting aired during primetime news, and was seen by well over one million viewers.
Living in unknown times, we have to do things differently, celebrate in other ways, a Chanukah Drive-In was organized for the 6th evening of Chanukah. Chabad Golders Green hired out a Drive In Cinema, in NW London, hosting a covid safe Chanukah program for all the family. Each participant received a goody box upon arrival, filled with glow items, Chanukah Treats, car magnets and more.
Over a thousand participants, from the comfort of their cars, watched on a Giant Screen, listening through personal boomboxes, Live Singing with Rabbi Eli and Levi Levin, Shir Chodesh band on the stage, fire juggling and other fire tricks, smoke machine, LED Dancers, trapeze artist and acrobatics. The highlight of the evening was the lighting of the Menorah, by Mr. Ivor Perl, a Holocaust survivor, sharing an inspirational message of survival even through the darkest times. All through the generations, that Yiddishe flame inside us keeps burning.
This was in addition to Chabad Golders Green other Chanukah events, such as visiting old age homes, schools etc. Virtual Events were aired throughout the week of Chanukah, ensuring that the community can enjoy Chanukah even in these Covid challenging times.
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