TIMES OF ISRAEL
Hostages’ families light menorahs in Tel Aviv, troops in Gaza mark start of Hanukkah
December 8, 2023

Marking the start of Hanukkah Thursday evening, the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas held a candle-lighting ceremony during a rally in Tel Aviv calling for the release of their loved ones, while soldiers fighting against the terror group lit menorahs in Gaza to celebrate the first night of the Jewish holiday. The ceremony in Tel Aviv was held in an area called Hostages Square, where relatives and friends of those abducted in the Hamas-led onslaught on October 7 lit Hanukkah candles. The display included at an empty table set for the festival that featured menorahs with photos of hostages. READ MORE

NEWSWEEK Merry Christmas! Hanukkah Is Canceled Anyone still clinging to the belief that there is a difference between hating Jews and wanting Israel to disappear now needs to explain away another inconvenient truth. Scheduled Hanukkah celebrations across the United States, Canada, and elsewhere have been scrapped. The reason cited over and over is that hosting such holiday events would imply support for Israel in its war against the Gaza-based Hamas terrorist organization. A Hanukkah candle lighting that was due to take place at a music and arts festival in Williamsburg, Virginia, was canceled by the festival’s founder because the lighting of a menorah ‘seemed very inappropriate’ given current events in Israel and Gaza.

FOR HANUKKAH, SEND A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO ISRAELIS IsraelShalom.org gives you the chance to send your personal message of support, and solidarity to Israelis. A few words of encouragement can go a long way. Messages are being collected from around the world and sent to Israel. They will be distributed to hospitals, soldiers, first responders, schools, community centers, and beyond. We will distribute as many as possible. Let Israelis know that they are not alone – especially during this horrifying time of terror and war. CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSSAGE