Giant Menorah Lit in Front of the Kremlin

MOSCOW, Russia – Chanukah celebrations were ushered in across Russia with the lighting of a giant 24 foot Mernorah in front of the Kremlin.

Hundreds of people gathered in the Manezhnaya Square, located just opposite the Kremlin, The Menorah lighting ceremony was graced by the presence of Moscow Mayor Yuri Lushkov, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar and Yoisef Kobzon, celebrated singer and peoples artist of Russia.

"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 renewal of the Chanukah Miracle of old."

Rabbi Lazar honored the Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Lushkov with a silver Menorah and publicly thanked him for giving the Jewish community the public space to celebrate the holiday.

The Mayor of Moscow said he was proud to be the mayor of a city that "promotes religious freedom, and gives individual religious groups to proudly practice their traditions". He responded to Rabbi Lazar gesture of appreciation, "I do not need to be thanked for our efforts to promote religious freedom , it is our civic responsibility".

After the lighting hundreds of Jews danced in the street to the songs of the Hassidic Kappela, lead By Sasha Tseluk and the singing of Yoisef Kobzon.

Public menorah lightnings 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.

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 drove through the streets of Moscow. Ibegan from Manezhnaya Square after the public lighting ceremony and made 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.