HANUKKAH – Light in Jewish Italy

From synagogues to community spaces and public square, Hanukkah lights illuminated Italy with their festive message. Accompanied by a children’s choir, Rabbi Alberto Funaro lit the menorah at the Tempio Maggiore in Rome. Here, the president of the Jewish Community, Victor Fadlun, reflected on the hostages held by Hamas, expressing hope for their liberation and return. Another ceremony, organized as usual by Chabad, took place in Piazza Barberini.
In Milan, Hanukkah lights were lit during two ceremonies: one in Piazza Cadorna and another in Piazza San Carlo. Here, Rabbi Lev Hazan of the Chabad movement, passed the honor of lighting the menorah to Milo Habsbani, vice president of the Jewish Community and of the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI). Dozens of menorah lightings took place across the country. In Bologna, the synagogue hosted an “intercommunity” ceremony, followed by a celebration inspired by the Reshet-Rete project. This initiative supports members of Jewish communities in central and northern Italy who lack a permanent rabbinical presence.
In Florence, the menorah lighting in the synagogue concluded with the singing of “Hatikvah,” the national anthem of Israel.