Last week the traditional public Chanukah lighting ceremony was held at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. This year, for the first time, the tallest menorah in Europe was placed in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Community Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal was given the honor of lighting the candles, and he said, “Lighting in this place proves that there is Jewish life in Germany.”

At this event, organized by Rabbi Shmuel Segal, director of activities at the Chabad Jewish community centre in Berlin, Norbert Lammert, president of the Bundestag, was among the guests. Mr. Lammert reminded the crowd that, “Not long ago, we commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Krystallnacht pogrom. In those days, Germany parted from the civilized world for several years, and in those days many people had good reason to believe that these events signaled the beginning of the end of Jewish life in Germany.”

He added that, “Today is not the first time, but the tenth time that we are celebrating Chanukah here in Berlin. We are doing this right here, not in a remote corner so that no one will notice, but in the main square of Berlin. This is an excellent expression of the changes that Germany has undergone since the Nazi regime over the past few decades, thanks to the many efforts of those who believe in democracy.”

Mr. Lammert ended his speech by saying, “The fact that there is Jewish life in Germany and the Jewish communities in Europe are growing is the greatest compliment that I could think for Germany. I am very happy to be here this evening, to give you the blessings of all of the members of the Bundestag and to wish you all a very happy Chanukah.”

Klaus Wowereit, mayor of Berlin, was also present. In his speech, he said, “Every Chanukah candle that is lit at the Brandenburg Gate gives a very significant message. … It is an achievement for Berlin that communities can celebrate their holidays in public … This is the face of Berlin today, and this is the way that it should be. … Rabbi Teichtal is an excellent example of the strength of Jewish life in Berlin.”

Hundreds of Berlin Jews, as well as government figures, representatives of foreign countries, including the ambassadors of the United States, Russia, Moldova, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and more, attended the ceremony.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)