The sun was shining brightly on the eighth day of Hanukkah.
The bright blue skies awere scattered with white puffy clouds
over the cold Jerusalem streets.
There were so many hanukkiot being lit for the past 8 days,
it was not easy, but here are 15 of my favorites.
On the last night at home,
these olive oil flames burned brightly.
The electric lights over the Knesset
were clearly visible next to the Israeli flag.
The electric light street decorations
were in different locations this year,
but they are always a favorite sight.
Chabad menorahs seemed to be on every corner,
and some were on top of cars.
Again this year in Mamilla Mall
a special Chabad hanukkia
attracted large crowds every night.
Selected guests were honored with lighting the lights,
from lone soldiers to victims of terror.
Every night there were music and sufganiot for all.
Near the entrance of Beit Hanasi,
the Israeli President’s Residence,
stood a new hanukkia with the Israeli state emblem
wishing all a Happy Hanukkah.
Whether made of glass and colorful and lit inside,
or simple and lit outside on the street,
or flames rising high above the Kotel,
the Western Wall, as on the fifth night,
the variety and quantity of hanukkiot was astounding.
Thousands came in the evening to the Kotel,
for the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah.
It was hard to get a clear photo,
as one after another men climbed up to pose for photos,
in front of the burning lights.
On my way home through the Old City
there was singing and dancing as lights
and more lights lined the paths.
This old electric menorah near Jaffa Gate,
was as popular as ever,
but it paled next to the light projection on the nearby wall.
But, the most unique menorah I saw this year
was the one lit at Yad Vashem
by former chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau,
a child survivor with an extended family photo in view.
On the third night of Hanukah,
the centuries-old Krakow menorah candles burned brightly,
for over two hundred international Jewish leaders
gathered in Jerusalem, Israel, for an educator’s conference.
Hanukkah is a holiday celebration of survival in ancient times.
But it is also a good time to appreciate the modern miracles
of survival and rebirth and new light.
That’s it,
until next year,
still not sure how best to spell in English,
Hanuka sameach!