Maruf Ahmed
To celebrate the Jewish festival, Chanukah, Canary Wharf has installed a large Menorah in Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Park. To mark the occasion, an extra light will be switched on every night from Sunday 2nd December until and including Sunday 9th December to celebrate each of the eight nights of the festival.
Chanukah, ‘The Festival of Lights’ is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, during the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd century BC.
On Tuesday 4 December, KPMG will be hosting a candle lighting ceremony with entertainment by The London Cantorial Singers. Some members of the Jewish Care Centres will also be attending. HSBC will also be hosting a communal candle lighting ceremony in their offices at 8 Canada Square, followed by traditional Jewish doughnuts and latkes on Wednesday 5 December.
Ending the week’s celebrations, Ernst & Young will be holding a Chanukah get together event, along with refreshments and entertainment by the Menorah Grammar School boys’ choir at its offices on Thursday 6 December.
Members of the local Jewish community, employees, tenants and visitors are all invited to the festive occasion.
Danny Seliger from Canary Wharf Group said: “The lighting of the Menorah offers a great opportunity for the local community to come together with those on the Estate and celebrate this festive moment in the Jewish calendar. We are hugely appreciative to all who have shown their support in the local area and everyone is welcome to visit and experience Chanukah at Canary Wharf’.