The celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah began on Sunday and will last for eight days. Most of the major celebrations were held last weekend, but the holiday is being celebrated all week, despite many feeling unsafe.
From what I've heard, nothing has been cancelled, but they're continuing as best they can. But there are people who choose not to participate.
Aron Verständig has reflected on the fact that many of the deadly attacks in recent years have occurred in connection with major Jewish holidays.
It's often when people gather that I feel they are targeting Jewish presence in public space. As soon as Jews gather, there is a significant threat.
The vast majority of gatherings take place in closed contexts and information about when and where is sparse.
But this particular weekend, it is tradition to try to arrange some kind of public lighting of the Chanukah candlestick.
This year, the Chanukah candlestick will be lit with "a lot of police presence," says Aron Verständig.
I guess that's the difference. When I look at the celebrations they had in Australia, it was common knowledge that they always celebrate on that beach. We've never been able to do that. Or never in the near future, but we spread the information in more internal circles.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated to commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BC.
The Maccabees' victory over King Antiochus IV led to a revolt that ended with the Jews capturing Jerusalem and rededicating the temple.
According to legend, they found a jar of oil in the temple that was supposed to keep the menorah, the seven-branched candlestick, burning for one day. Instead, it lasted for eight days, the same amount of time it took to produce new oil.
The legend gave rise to the tradition that is characteristic of Hanukkah today. For eight days, usually in December, one candle is lit at a time in a candlestick, chanukkia, with nine candle holders. One of the candles is used to light the others.
Chanukah celebrates the fact that despite all external threats to the Jewish religion and despite the challenge posed by assimilation, the Jews have managed to maintain their distinctiveness and their customs and traditions.
Source: NE.se
