PaJeS, a division of the JLC, together with JLGB and UJIA held the first virtual ‘Unite with Light’ – an International Primary School Chanukah Lighting on 16th December from 1.50-2.40pm GMT. This event was been made possible with the generous support of Genesis Philanthropy Group. Over 200 classes from 25 primary schools which amounts to over 5000 pupils, joined the event which included a live streaming of the lighting of the Chanukah lights in Israel.
The project came from an idea from Dovi Colman, a teacher at Broughton Jewish Primary School who wanted to broaden his pupils’ Chanukah experience “In normal times, Chanukah might include concerts, events, huge Menorah lightings, and I wanted the children to experience that same sense of Jewish unity and togetherness this year”
The event included messages from The Chief Rabbi, Her Excellency Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely and PaJeS Executive Director Rabbi David Meyer OBE who has said ‘At a time of such darkness there is perhaps no better to way to bring light into our lives than to see children from across the world celebrating Chanukah and lighting together. It reinforces the Chanukah message that by standing and praying together we can overcome adversity and bring light and joy back into our lives”.
The event also included Happy Chanukah messages direct from pupils classes in the primary schools and music from Rabbi Marc Levine of Belmont United Synagogue.
The event was live streamed via our website