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London Mayor Ken Livingstone adresses during the Menorah ceremony marking Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, at City Hall in central London, 20 December 2006.
Photo: AFP Copyright 2006
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LONDON (EJP)--- Mayor of London Ken Livingstone lit Chanukah candles on Wednesday evening and has sent a greeting to London’s Jewish community celebrating Chanukah.
In honour of the Jewish festival of lights, the Mayor lit a nine-feet tall Menorah (candelabrum) at City Hall, home of the Greater London Authority, in the presence of community leaders, organisations and individuals from all faiths.
Rabbi Gershon Overlander, a Chabad rabbi, led the ceremony.
In a message to the Jewish community, Livingstone said: “I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Chanukah. I extend warmest wishes to all Jewish Londoners celebrating this joyous occasion.
“Jewish people have over many centuries made incalculable contributions to world literature, learning, art and commerce. London’s Jewish communities continue to make a major contribution to London’s success as a great world city.”
He added: “Chanukah is a time to celebrate the joy of religious freedom. This city’s prosperity as the world’s greatest international business centre, as well as its social harmony, entirely depends on our ability to enjoy and respect the diversity of cultures and faiths which enables this city to welcome people from every part of the world.”
