This year, for the third year in a row, the Board of Deputies sponsored the Speaker of the House of Commons’ annual Chanukah reception at Speaker’s House in Parliament.
Days after a terrorist attack on Jews celebrating Chanukah claimed 15 lives in Sydney, politicians from across the political spectrum came together in Parliament last night to light Chanukah candles and reaffirm their support for the Jewish community.
More than 100 political leaders – including representatives from across Parliament and the Jewish community – gathered in Speaker’s House for a Chanukah reception hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons and sponsored by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
Those present heard speeches from Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey, Co-Leads of Progressive Judaism Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, and Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum representing the Chief Rabbi.
Introducing the event, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “A heavy shadow was cast over this year’s Hanukkah by the truly evil attacks at Bondi Beach and Heaton Park. But Hanukkah is the festival of miracles and symbolises resilience and defiance against oppression, as exemplified by Alan Levy who told us how he bravely helped barricade the Heaton Park synagogue. I hope the Jewish community who gathered in Parliament with colleagues of all religions and none, felt our support for them in standing up against antisemitism.”
Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis said: “Because of a wretched act, the festival of lights has been darkened by grief and fear, but at this moment of deep sorrow, let us draw comfort and hope from the knowledge that the menorahs have carried on glowing, standing as a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “We must be clear, those of us in public office, about the kind of country we want to build and the kind of country we want to live in. A country where there is no place for antisemitism or extremism, or sympathy for terrorism.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey said: “Now is the time we must celebrate the strength and resilience our Jewish friends continue to demonstrate in the face of great sorrow, and to redouble our efforts to stamp out the terrible scourge of antisemitism. Let it be a moment for us to unite through what brings us together, not what tears us apart”
Rabbi Yoni Bernbaum, representing the Chief Rabbi, said: “Chanukah teaches us to be active, to be the fuel that keeps the fire burning. It reminds us of that great line, perhaps of unknown authorship, that the only thing it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing, and by coming here, whether as part of or as allies of the Jewish community, you are standing with us.”
Co-leads of Progressive Judaism Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “May this Chanukah strengthen us. May it strengthen our resolve to protect Jewish life without seeking to shrink from the society around us. May it deepen our confidence that safety and openness are not opposing values, but responsibilities that we all hold together.”
Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said: “When they come at us with darkness and hate, our response is light and it’s love. It’s really important that we come back with the spirit of Jewish resilience that’s taken us through it. We have resilience in our DNA, we came together through the Shoah, we came together through the pogroms and we will come through the legacy of 7th October, of Heaton Park and of Bondi Beach. We’ll come through it together and we’ll come back stronger.”
Other attendees included Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons Ugbana Oyet, Deputy Speaker Nus Ghani, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston, and Shadow Wales Secretary Mims Davies.
Photo: Sam Pearce
Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle and President of the Board of Deputies, Phil Rosenberg
