Faith leaders from across Britain gathered in London to light Chanukah candles and demonstrate unity, trust and solidarity in the face of rising antisemitism and division.
Organised by The Movement for Progressive Judaism, the candle lighting took place in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Sydney, becoming a public expression of relationship and a refusal to allow violence against one community to fracture the bonds between all.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky
The event was hosted and convened by Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky, who invited colleagues from different religious traditions to stand side by side.
Rabbi Charley said: “We opened our address books. We asked across faiths, across denominations, across institutions. And again and again, the answer was yes. Yes, we will come. Yes, we will stand with you. Yes, we also need this. And that sense of being in this together matters.”
Rabbi Josh Levy
Rabbi Josh added: “When one of us is targeted, we all are. When one is attacked, we all brace ourselves. When our faith traditions are co-opted by those using it for their own ends, all of us feel distorted. What tonight represents for us is trust, the trust that says, I may not share your theology, your politics, or your practice, but I recognise your humanity, and I will stand with you when it matters.”
Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko opened the evening by memorialising Rev Dr Richard Sudworth, the Church of England’s Director of Faith and Public Life, who died on Monday after a long illness.
Dr Ed Kessler, Chair of The Movement for Progressive Judaism, read a message of support from Minister for Faith Miatta Fahnbulleh. Reflections were offered by The Rt Revd Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, Bishop of Willesden, Julie Siddiqi MBE and Jasvir Singh CBE.
Julie Siddiqi MBE
Julie, Co-Founder of the British Muslim Network, said: “For me the Chanukah story has taken on an extra meaning this year, one of defiance, of doing things against the odds, sometimes that could be holding the hand of another when others are telling you that’s the wrong thing to do. So I recommit today to stand with you all in friendship, solidarity and hope, tinged with defiance and determination.”
Those lighting the Chanukiah were Rabbi Alexendra Wright, Senior Rabbi of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue; Imam Asim Hafiz OBE, Islamic Religious Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff and Service Chiefs; Revd Canon Dr Giles Fraser; Mitzvah Day Founder and Chair Laura Marks CBE; and Andrew Copson OBE, CEO of the British Humanist Association.
Imam Asim Hafiz OBE lights the second Chanukah candle, joined the evening’s hosts and other lighters
Imam Asim said: “Each of us holds a responsibility not only to be light, but to convince the world that light is real, that goodness is stronger than hatred, and that humanity is better than its worst moments. Most people want to live in peace. Most people want to do good. Most people want to be good. When we recognise that, and we act on it, our individual flames join together to become one big light, God’s light, the light of the heavens and the earth. That is how light doesn’t just survive darkness, it overcomes it, and we will overcome it.”
Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, Senior Rabbi of Bushey United Synagogue and Chair of the Rabbinic Council of the United Synagogue, introduced and led the singing of Maoz Tzur.
The evening was closed by Georgina Bye and Revd Dr Nathan Eddy, Co-Directors of the Council of Christians and Jews.
The event was supported by the Aziz Foundation, who provided the venue. Its chair, Asif Aziz, said: “Moments like this remind us of the strength that comes from faith leaders standing side by side. We are committed to interfaith harmony, promoting co-existence and helping to build a future shaped by mutual respect, understanding, hope and love.”
- Pictures by Zoe Norfolk.