A Chanukah menorah is being lit inside Saddam Hussein’s former palace. The menorah, 14 inches high with candle holders that look like pomegranates, was made by Oded Halahmy - a Baghdad-born artist who now splits his time between Israel and New York.
The menorah was brought to Baghdad after a request from army chaplain, Col. Frank Wismer. The New York Jewish Week quoted Col Wismer in a letter he wrote to Mr. Halahmy that personnel working at the palace “are experiencing something akin to what the Jews must have experienced when the Maccabees recaptured Jerusalem and put an end to the pagan worship that had desecrated the temple.”
A menorah was also lit in South Korea, where military officials said a ten-foot-tall jet-fuel-powered menorah was lit on Friday night (the first night of Chanukah).
Lt. Col. Brett Oxman who serves as the U.S. Forces Korea deputy command chaplain, said the U.S. bases’ relatively small Jewish population — and the lack of “indigenous Jewish communities” in South Korea — meant the jet-powered menorah and the Chanukah party to follow the lighting of the menorah, were the biggest planned celebration of Chanukah throughout South Korea.
Lt. Col. Oxman, who reported to South Korea in July, said he routinely had about 150 worshippers during the High Holy Day services this fall, and hopes that as many Jewish servicemen come out for the Hanukkah event, which is open to the entire community.
The menorah was brought to Baghdad after a request from army chaplain, Col. Frank Wismer. The New York Jewish Week quoted Col Wismer in a letter he wrote to Mr. Halahmy that personnel working at the palace “are experiencing something akin to what the Jews must have experienced when the Maccabees recaptured Jerusalem and put an end to the pagan worship that had desecrated the temple.”
A menorah was also lit in South Korea, where military officials said a ten-foot-tall jet-fuel-powered menorah was lit on Friday night (the first night of Chanukah).
Lt. Col. Brett Oxman who serves as the U.S. Forces Korea deputy command chaplain, said the U.S. bases’ relatively small Jewish population — and the lack of “indigenous Jewish communities” in South Korea — meant the jet-powered menorah and the Chanukah party to follow the lighting of the menorah, were the biggest planned celebration of Chanukah throughout South Korea.
Lt. Col. Oxman, who reported to South Korea in July, said he routinely had about 150 worshippers during the High Holy Day services this fall, and hopes that as many Jewish servicemen come out for the Hanukkah event, which is open to the entire community.