alex revision
December 2nd, 2009, 08:55 AM
Australian parliament celebrates Chanukah
December 2, 2009
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/12/02/1009481/australian-parliament-celebrates-chanukah
SYDNEY, Australia (JTA) – Chanukah was celebrated at New South Wales Parliament House for the first time since it was established in 1856.
Attendees at Tuesday's historic event in Sydney – initiated and hosted by NSW Chabad under the auspices of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies – included Premier Nathan Rees, opposition leader Barry O’Farrell and more than 70 lawmakers, a dozen ministers and shadow ministers, and over 100 Jewish community leaders and rabbis.
A silver menorah was presented by Chabads spiritual leader Rabbi Pinchus Feldman. The inscription on the menorah acknowledges “the friendship bestowed by our elected representatives to all faiths, including the Jewish people.”
Accepting the gift, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Richard Torbay said: “On behalf of the Parliament and people of NSW it is a pleasure to receive this gift of the menorah which will permanently be on display here in parliament, and which symbolizes the values and morals which our society is blessed with.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff told JTA: “Holding a Chanukah celebration in Parliament House reflects the values of democracy and liberty which the Jewish community shares with the Parliament.”
December 2, 2009
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/12/02/1009481/australian-parliament-celebrates-chanukah
SYDNEY, Australia (JTA) – Chanukah was celebrated at New South Wales Parliament House for the first time since it was established in 1856.
Attendees at Tuesday's historic event in Sydney – initiated and hosted by NSW Chabad under the auspices of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies – included Premier Nathan Rees, opposition leader Barry O’Farrell and more than 70 lawmakers, a dozen ministers and shadow ministers, and over 100 Jewish community leaders and rabbis.
A silver menorah was presented by Chabads spiritual leader Rabbi Pinchus Feldman. The inscription on the menorah acknowledges “the friendship bestowed by our elected representatives to all faiths, including the Jewish people.”
Accepting the gift, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Richard Torbay said: “On behalf of the Parliament and people of NSW it is a pleasure to receive this gift of the menorah which will permanently be on display here in parliament, and which symbolizes the values and morals which our society is blessed with.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff told JTA: “Holding a Chanukah celebration in Parliament House reflects the values of democracy and liberty which the Jewish community shares with the Parliament.”