Please find below our Invitation to join with the Jewish community in celebrating Hanukkah in the Bays, 13 December 2020 4.30 to 8.30pm.

Please see below for full details.

Like minded family & friends would be most welcome.

Many Blessings Trish

Trish Nicholls                                                                                               20 October 2020

Israel Focus Group

On behalf of the Jewish community of Auckland, I would like to invite you to join us in celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, on Sunday 13 December 2020.

This free public family event will take place on Orakei Domain, Okahu Bay, from 4:30pm finishing with lighting of the Hanukkah candles at sunset around 8:00pm.

We would be honoured if you and your family could join us in celebrating this event.

We look forward to celebrating the diversity of Auckland with you.

Kind regards,

Rob Berg

President

Zionist Federation of New Zealand

The story of Hanukkah:

Hanukkah recalls the times of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Greek king who ruled Jerusalem around 200 BC, oppressing the people of the region and the Jews who were severely controlled, then massacred. Antiochus cruelty was opposed and contested by the Maccabees led by Judah who revolted against him. The revolution was successful and the Temple, which had been desecrated, was rededicated. A great miracle is said to have occurred: the small quantity of oil that had not been defiled by the desecration should have only been enough for one day. Miraculously it lasted eight days - enough time for more oil to be prepared for the Menorah, the seven-branch candelabra. An eight-day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle of the oil, not to glorify the victory of the war.