Free donuts and a candle-lighting service were enjoyed in St Albans’ city centre last Thursday (29).
A crowd of about 150 adults and children gathered at the historic Clock Tower for the annual public Menorah lighting.
Organised by St Albans United Synagogue, based in Oswald Road, to mark the Jewish festival of Chanukah, also called the festival of lights, ‘candles’ were lit up on a six-foot-high, nine-branched candelabrum.
The Mayor of St Albans, Cllr Frances Leonard, said it was “heartening to see so many Jewish people coming together to publicly celebrate their faith in the centre of St Albans”.
She attended the event alongside representatives of the city’s interfaith groups. The candle-lighting service was led by Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, with other candles lit by members of the two Jewish communities based in the district.
He said the festival “calls on us all to bring a little more light into the world”.
Passersby watching the service also enjoyed free donuts - traditionally eaten by Jews at Chanukah - which were handed out by synagogue members.
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