History repeated itself Monday, Dec. 16, as the Consulate General of France hosted a Chanukah menorah lighting for the second time during the past two years. Last year a similar ceremony was hosted by the Turkish Consulate and in 2022 by the French Consulate.
An “invitation-only” crowd estimated at around 150 attended the celebration that had been organized by Rebbetzin Ester Cohen of Chabad. Sponsors and dignitaries included Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis, French Consul General Cedric Fouriscot, Samuel Levy of the Jaffa Organization, and Rebbetzin Ester Cohen, Chabad Lubavitch emissary, New York.
Tommy Gelb, accompanied by his family, was invited to provide his rescued pre-Holocaust menorah from Czechoslovakia. The prized menorah had been hidden by a priest prior to the local synagogue being burned during Kristallnacht in November of 1938. Gelb shared that residents had removed the menorah, along with several Sifrei Torah, from the Czech synagogue prior to Kristallnacht. These holy items were concealed in a nearby church until after the end of World War II, and were subsequently returned to the Jewish community.
Gelb considers the menorah to be a very special piece in his collection and noted that the menorah also beautified the Chanukah lighting ceremonies last year at the Chabad of Fort Lee.
Gelb was asked by the organizers of the consulate ceremony to exhibit a small collection of his other Judaica ceremonial artifacts in addition to the pre-Holocaust menorah. Among the artifacts he included was his well-known and stunning scale model besamim holder of New York City’s Freedom Tower. The besamim Freedom Tower was privately commissioned by Gelb and produced in Israel by King Salomon.
The menorah was lit by various dignitaries, including Gelb, who said he felt, “Honored and delighted to be one of the lamplighters who were present.”
Addressing the guests, Gelb proclaimed, “May this menorah be a symbol, and its light be an eternal flame of the mission to be ‘a light unto all the nations’; a day to proclaim freedom, peace and friendship of all nations around the entire world.”
Gelb explained, “Over the many years I’ve traveled the globe in search of Judaica artifacts and Jewish ceremonial objects and I’ve learned one undeniable fact: In Jewish communities we as a people have survived crusades, enslavement, exile, pogroms, wars, forced conversion, the Holocaust, constant antisemitic attacks against our people and continual attacks of Israel. With this determination we will forever remain and our traditions and customs will be passed on to the generations of the future.” He closed his speech at the consulate with “Am Yisrael Chai!” which was greeted with cheers and applause.
As part of the gathering, the Israeli consul general was treated to a tour of the Consulate General of France, including the large tapestry located in the “Pink Room” that overlooks Central Park, where the event was held. This exquisite tapestry, dated from 1752, “The Triumph of Mordecai,” was made by the Manufacture Royale des Gobelins for the bedchamber of Madame Adélaïde, the fourth daughter of Louis XV. It measures over 30 square yards and has been displayed at the consulate for several years. Gelb noted that Akunis was amazed and explained to the group the details of the Purim story.
Refreshments were graciously and abundantly provided by Makabi-Elby Kosher Cheese in New York, along with a great selection of wines provided by the Royal Wine Corp. Delicious French brie and sushi were served in addition to French pastries and, of course, sufganiyot.
