On 11 December 2023, the fifth day of Hanukkah, the Westminster community gathered to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Light, giving people from different backgrounds the opportunity to learn, foster connections and explore cultures.
The event was hosted by Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice–Chancellor for Employability and Global Engagement, and the Co-Chair of the University's EDI Committee, in partnership with Westminster Jewish Society.
To open the event Professor Dibyesh Anand and Professor Peter Bonfield, President and Vice-Chancellor, welcomed everyone and thanked Jewish colleagues and students for working with the University to make this occasion possible. Joshua Heinrich, Professor Miriam Dwek, Rabbi Gavin Broder and Dr Noam Weingarten spoke about the history of Hanukkah and the ever-growing importance of light in dark times as well as the significance of this festival at Westminster for them.
During the event attendees got the opportunity to play dreidel, taste a wide range of dishes such as latkes, sufnaniyot among other traditional foods, and listen to a reading from Professor Louise Sylvester. Rabbi Gavin Border and Rabbi Gideon Sylvester led prayers and the Chanukiyah was then lit for the fifth night of Hanukkah.
In the spirit of cross-cultural learning and the promotion of diversity and inclusivity, this celebratory event was open to all, welcoming colleagues, students, friends and families from all faiths and none.
Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights and celebrates a miracle that happened in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. It runs for eight days and is celebrated each night with a lighting of a menorah, prayer and the sharing of food. This year’s Hanukkah began on the 7 December and came to an end today on 15 December. The final candle of the Menorah in the foyer of our flagship Regent building will be lit by Professor Peter Bonfield.
About the event Professor Anand said “We cannot let difficult times hide individuals and communities. Our commitment to celebrating diversities and promoting a strong sense of belonging encouraged us to host Hanukkah celebration in partnership with our student Jewish Society. The turnout, the moving moment of lighting of Chanukiyah, the range of kosher food, donuts and latkes, the participation of so many colleagues, students and guests through games and conversations, all brought joy to us.”
Dr Noam Weingarten, a Co-Chair of the University’s Faith, Spirituality, and Belief Network, said: “A fantastic Hanukkah Celebration, which made Jewish colleagues and students feel so much more part of the University Community, able to bring their whole self to the University. It also provided an opportunity for those not from the Jewish faith, to experience a Hanukkah and its magic.”
Zahrah Surooprajally, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Event Manager, added: “It was incredibly moving to be part of the Hanukkah celebrations, thank you to our Jewish colleagues and students for the collective effort behind the event!”
Joshua Heinrich, the President of Westminster Jewish Society, said: “For Jewish students, the significance of organising Hanukkah celebration in partnership with our University, especially at a time of great difficulties and insecurities, and displaying menorah in our foyer, cannot be overstated.”
Find out more about upcoming EDI events that will celebrate and advance the values of diversity and inclusion at University of Westminster.
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