University of Westminster hosts Chanukah celebration as part of World in Westminster series

Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sundown on 25 December and ends at sundown on 2 January. Chanukah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, commemorates a miracle that occurred in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. The eight-day Jewish festival celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE and the miraculous event in which a small amount of oil kept the Temple’s Menorah burning for eight days – far longer than expected. This tradition of lighting the Menorah continues to hold great significance in Jewish practice today.

The event, held as part of the Quintin Hogg Trust Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) project Westminster for All - Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, aimed to foster cross-cultural understanding and inclusivity. There was an abundance of traditional Chanukah food from both the Eastern European Ashkenazi and Mediterranean and African Sephardi traditions. There were also dreidels, which are Chanukah spinning tops, and chocolate coins for those who wished to play a traditional game. Debs Harris, College Academic Administration Officer of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, also explained the significance and traditions of the festival and invited those who have never lit Chanukah candles to come up and do so.

The event featured live music performances by talented Westminster students, adding to the festive spirit. Third year Television Production BA Honours student and Westminster Students’ Union Community Organiser, Harrie Blackadder, planned a musical section to round off proceedings, beginning with a beautiful acapella rendition of an ancient Hebrew Chanukah song, Ma’oz Tsur. Following this, Tai sang a self-composed piece accompanied by the guitar, and Alex House, a first-year History BA Honours student, sang a cover of When You Believe. 

Laughter and warmth filled the room as attendees enjoyed an abundance of donuts, traditional games and meaningful conversations. The celebration provided a home away from home for many, creating a sense of togetherness and belonging within the Westminster community.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Debs Harris, who organised the celebration, said: “It was a pleasure to share my culture with such a receptive and generous audience. Many of the guests in attendance told me that they have been to other University of Westminster EDI events and expressed their joy at the opportunity to celebrate multiculturalism and to learn.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability and the Co-Chair of the University’s EDI Committee Professor Dibyesh Anand leads the World in Westminster Series. He added: “As part of our commitment to celebrating diversities, enhancing inter-cultural understanding and fostering inclusion, we are keen to celebrate various festivals. Our celebrating of Chanukah on a fairly large scale before the actual festival that falls during the winter break is sign of our commitment. Last year has been especially difficult for many Jewish students and colleagues due to a rise in antisemitism in various parts of the society. We want to reassure that our celebration of diversities goes hand in hand with the challenging of prejudices."

Bringing the community together at events such as this directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Find out more about upcoming EDI events at the University of Westminster and follow the World in Westminster series on Twitter and Instagram for updates and highlights from upcoming events.