SOLIHULL hosted the annual Menorah lighting on the first night of Chanukah in the town centre.
The event was organised by Rabbi Yehuda Pink, Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Solihull, and Rabbi from Solihull Hebrew Congregation.
They brought together people from the region to celebrate the festival of Chanukah and enjoy a performance from fire juggler Alisha.
Chanukah is the festival of lights and began on December 7 this year, and ended on Friday, December 15.
Chanukah recalls the victory the time when the Jewish People living in Israel faced persecution from the Syrian-Greek Empire who refused to let them practice Judaism.
They desecrated and defiled the Holy Temple in Jerusalem destroying the Candelabra that had been a focal point of the daily service.
Upon successfully chasing the invaders out of Jerusalem, the temple was rededicated and the Menorah Candelabra rebuilt. Only one jar of pure olive oil was found, enough to burn for one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight.
Today, the holiday carries a universal message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Jews celebrate Chanukkah for eight days, lighting an eight-branched candelabrum, known as a Menorah. Another light is added each night throughout the festival until all are lit.
Rabbi Pink opened the proceedings with a call to all present to be the candles of the world’s menorah.
He said: “This Chanukah holiday, stronger than ever before, Chabad Lubavitch centers around the world are gathering souls of light, peace and love to join together in a commitment to overcome the axis of intolerance, hatred, and evil.”
The event was one of five public Menorah Lightings organised by Chabad Lubavitch of Solihull and Solihull Hebrew Congregation around the Midlands this year, in Solihull, Coventry, Leamington Spa and Bromsgrove.
Over 150 events have been held around the UK.
