A unique menorah (candelabra) made out of ice was lit in Siberia last night in honor of the fifth night of Chanukah. Over 300 people braved the cold of -40 degrees Centigrade to take part in the event, and Siberian Chief Rabbi Binyamin Wagner presided. He even provided the drinks and Chanukah donuts.
For the first time, a large public Chanukah menorah will be lit on the grounds of the European Parliament in Brussels. The official lighting ceremony this evening will complement an exhibition of menorahs established by the Rabbinical Center of Europe and the European Jewish Community Center on the European Parliament's premises. The exhibit is entitled, "Chanukah in Europe - the Festival of Light through the Ages." Numerous European diplomats and functionaries are expected to attend the opening of the exhibition and the kindling of the Chanukah lights.
In other Chanukah news, it turns out that though sales of menorahs and dreidels are down in Israel this year, Jewish communities abroad have upped their orders. In addition, many of the orders from abroad - which are up 45% over last year's levels - stipulate that the holiday merchandise must be made-in-Israel, and not recycled from China or elsewhere.
For the first time, a large public Chanukah menorah will be lit on the grounds of the European Parliament in Brussels. The official lighting ceremony this evening will complement an exhibition of menorahs established by the Rabbinical Center of Europe and the European Jewish Community Center on the European Parliament's premises. The exhibit is entitled, "Chanukah in Europe - the Festival of Light through the Ages." Numerous European diplomats and functionaries are expected to attend the opening of the exhibition and the kindling of the Chanukah lights.
In other Chanukah news, it turns out that though sales of menorahs and dreidels are down in Israel this year, Jewish communities abroad have upped their orders. In addition, many of the orders from abroad - which are up 45% over last year's levels - stipulate that the holiday merchandise must be made-in-Israel, and not recycled from China or elsewhere.