#Chanukah #AmYisraelChai #WeRemember
In honour of Chanukah, a Festival of Lights, let's celebrate life & the perseverance of the Jewish people.
Holocaust Survivor, Ella Blumenthal survived Auschwitz and the Warsaw ghetto rebellion. Ella Blumenthal turned 100 in 2021. For the past few years she has been lighting this Chanukiah that was stolen by the Nazis in the 1940s, and which previously had not been lit for nearly seventy years.
The Chanukiah was found by the USA army and later given to the Jewish community in South Africa as part of the distribution of Nazi looted religious artefacts made through the 'Jewish Reconstruction' programme.
Comments on the video include:
"Wow. A true survivor in every sense. Best wishes"
"Lovely happy video. Ella Blumenthal is absolutely amazing xxxx"
"This is fantastic!"
"Beautiful so special"
"Wow Carolyn. Light inspiring."
"Thanks, beautiful what an inspiring lady."
All the Holocaust survivors are Inspiring. They have triumphed over huge obstacles & they are symbols of Hope, Courage, Resilience & the revival of the Jewish people.
Jews are a nation of Survivors. For centuries, the Jewish people have faced many hardships, persecutions & survived against all odds. Mark Twain marvelled that the Jews are still here. Am Yisrael Chai.
In the words of the popular Chanukah song "Light One Candle":
"...Don't let the light go out!
It's lasted for so many years!
Don't let the light go out!
Let it shine through our hope and our tears."
The song is by the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary & it is from their album 'No Easy Walk to Freedom' (1982/86).
Chanukah, a festival of Lights, is about bringing light into the world.
Even a small amount of Light can dispels darkness. Judaism teaches us to spread light and do acts of kindness in the world.
The Chanukah miracle is not just that the oil lit a flame that shone for eight days, but that the flame/spark continues to shine for over 2,000 years, and it will continue to shine as Jews persevere and continue to be Jews.
Holocaust survivors show that the Jewish people & the flame/spark of Judaism endures.
Chanukah is symbolic of Good & Light. It celebrates the rededication of the Biblical Second Temple in Jerusalem at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid (Greek) Empire in the 2nd century BCE. Chanukah was when the Jews were able to light the menorah in the Temple for 8 days. Hence the Chanukah menorah (Chanukiah) has 9 branches to celebrate the 8 day festival.
This video was edited in 2021 during the Covid Pandemic & brought out at the start of the 4th Covid wave in South Africa. The in-person material was filmed pre-Covid. Thank you Rabbi Thurgood for the Chanukah material from 2015 & 2017.
In 2021/5782 the 8th night of Chanukah will be during the Covid Pandemic on Day 619 Level 1 SALockdown .
Viva Health, Human Dignity, Equality, Diversity, Freedom of Religion and Creativity.
Friends comment:
"Wow! Thank you so much Carolyn. That is so special! Ella is amazing....We are very fond of her.
Special blessing over your life.
Shalom 🙏💐"
And others say:
"Very interesting- so nicely done. Very natural. I loved the old and young together and such an alive historic feel.
Well done - great celebration"
"Thank you for sharing! You have done an amazing job."
