On Wednesday evening, the traditional lighting ceremony of the Hanukkah candles, also known as the Festival of Lights, was held at Plaza Urquiza in our city, with the presence of mayor Francisco Azcué, accompanying representatives and members of the Jewish community of Concordia.
Hanukkah evokes the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid army, which culminated in the recovery of the Great Temple of Jerusalem. According to belief, a miracle occurred in the temple: the Maccabees lit a 7-branched candelabrum that remained lit for 8 days, even though it had oil for only one day.
In commemoration of that episode, this Wednesday, December 13, the seventh candle was lit in Concordia.
Addressing those present, the Municipal President Francisco Azcué first repudiated and condemned the terrorist attacks against Israel, remarking that “those of us who have been elected by the people to hold important positions must be clear in the face of these types of situations,” which is why as “mayor I will defend life, I will fight for freedom, I will promote equality and encourage the fraternity of our people.”
“Societies that carry out peaceful conduct, that appeal to dialogue and consensus, will be successful,” while those that “foment division or promote violence will not get anywhere. Our path is that of dialogue and consensus, to transform our city and grow, and for that we must be united, together, each from their own place, in order to move forward. That is how our administration will be, with open doors, connected with civil society, with intermediate institutions,” remarked the mayor.
For his part, Rabbi Israel Soriano stated that “we are celebrating the seventh candle of Hanukkah, accompanied by many people, by the mayor, by officials, and by civil society in general, who are very important to us. Community participation, civil participation, shows us the attempt to be united at all times.
He also highlighted that “the Hanukkah festival is the victory of light over darkness and that is the message. Always try to be beings of light. Try to be positive, try to move forward, illuminating those around us. To everyone who may need it and to those who do not need it as well. Be good people, always move forward, accompanying the Jewish community.”
The Undersecretary of Government Rolando Kleinam, Councilman Mauricio Rey, and representatives of the Jewish community in our city and the general public were present.