MOSCOW, Russia – Chanukah celebrations get underway in Moscow on the evening of Sunday, December 25th at 4:30 PM. At that time, Manezhnaya Square, located just opposite the Kremlin, will feature the lighting of a giant 24-foot Menorah, ushering in the holiday in Russia. The Menorah lighting ceremony will be graced by the presence of Moscow Mayor Yuri Lushkov, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar and Federation of Jewish Communities President Lev Leviev, along with other celebrities, dignitaries and hundreds of Moscow Jews.
The Menorah lighting will be followed by a festive Chanukah concert, which has already been sold out, at the 'Russiya' concert hall. 2,500 persons will enjoy this festivity, featuring performances by leading Russian artists.
"The lights of Chanukah symbolize the victory of light over darkness," remarked Rabbi Berel Lazar. "Lighting the Menorah in the most public square in Moscow is a continuation of the Chanukah Miracle of old."
The festival commemorates a victory over Syrian occupation by outnumbered Jewish forces and the reclaiming of the second Temple of Jerusalem in the 2nd century B.C. At the Temple, they found only one small cruse of oil, merely enough to last one day; but when they lit the Temple Menorah /with it, the candle burned for eight days -- setting the length for the observance of Chanukah.
Public menorah lightings were initiated and promoted by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, of righteous memory. Today, more than 10,000 public squares around the world are illuminated by Menorahs placed by Chabad Lubavitch.
Each year the 8-branched Menorah is lit, with one candle added each night of this holiday. Chanukah runs through to Monday, January 2nd, 2006.
This year alone, the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS, together with Chabad Lubavitch Rabbis serving throughout the Former Soviet Union, also distributed nearly 250,000 Menorahs for home use. Additionally, a large car parade adorned with lit Menorahs will drive through the streets of Moscow. It will begin from Manezhnaya Square after the public lighting ceremony and make stops at Red Square, in front of Russia's 'White House' and other Moscow landmarks.
Additional public Chanukah Menorahs include one set up in a park, located in front of Lubyanka, the Former KGB headquarters. The strength and high spirit of celebrations occurring in Moscow and throughout the FSU are a testimony to the revival of Jewish communal life in this part of the world.
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