David Celebrates Chanukah

David Celebrates Chanukah

This week, David took part in a number of community functions in celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish ‘Festival of Lights’.

Chanukah commemorates the successful rebellion of the Jewish Macabbees in the face of religious persecution by King Antiochus IV 21 centuries ago. During this festival, Jews traditionally light a candle on the Chanukiah each day for eight days, giving rise to the name, ‘The Festival of Lights’.

On Tuesday December 20, David attended and spoke at a public Chanukiah lighting held at Parliament House by Chabad of Melbourne CBD. The event was attended by a number of leading dignitaries, politicians and members of the Jewish community and the general public. These included the Premier, Ted Baillieu, and Georgie Crozier, Member for the Southern Metropolitan Region.

During his speech David celebrated the many and diverse significant contributions that Victorian and Australian Jews have made to their communities. In particular, he highlighted the examples of Sir Zelman Cowen, who recently passed away, and Sir Isaac Issaacs, the first Australian born Governor General.

David also spoke at the Glen Eira Community Chanukah Party held in Caulfield Park by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria on Wednesday December 21. This event was also attended by Kelly O’Dwyer, the Federal Member for Higgins, Andrea Coote, Member for the Southern Metropolitan Region, and Jamie Hyams, the recently elected Mayor of Glen Eira.

“It is always fantastic to take part in such vibrant events in celebration of Jewish festivals,” David said. “The attendance at this event by so many politicans and other dignitaries illustrates the bipartisan recognition and acceptance of the Jewish community and culture that exists in Victoria”.