Immigrants from US, Yemen, France, Ethiopia,
Immigrants from US, Yemen, France, Ethiopia,Zed Films

On Tuesday to celebrate the 7th night of Hanukkah, the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption and the Jewish Agency held hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) candle lightings in 7 world capitals.

The main lighting took place in Jerusalem, where candles were lit by seven Jewish immigrants from the US, Yemen, France, Ethiopia, India, Latvia, and Colombia, along with Minister of Immigration and Absorption Sofa Landver and Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky. Roughly 300 olim (immigrants) from around the world were in attendance.

Simultaneously candles were being lit in 6 other world capitals: London, Paris, Moscow, Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Budapest, and Kiev, which is currently in a state of political upheaval.

The various ceremonies were broadcast live in Jerusalem, and the entire event was broadcast on the internet, with viewers tuning in from locations as diverse as Australia, China, South Africa, North and South America, as well as Europe.

Landver praised the event as bearing "proof that Jewish communities around the world are an inseparable part of the nation of Israel," adding she hopes all Jews who lit Hanukkah candles abroad this year will be in Jerusalem to celebrate the holiday next year.

"The reconstitution of Jewish sovereignty in the State of Israel is the true miracle of Hanukkah, just as it was two thousand years ago," remarked Sharansky. In his words, "Israel's existence is a daily miracle. We will continue to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah with all those who choose to make Israel their home."

Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremonies have been occurring throughout the world, as just last week the largest menorah in Europe was lit in Berlin's Brandenburg Gate (Victory Gate).

Meanwhile the largest menorah in the world will be lit in Israel on Wednesday by the Israel Electric Company. The menorah stands 28 meters (92 feet) high.