SPEECH: Hanukkah 2018

On behalf of Federal Labor, I would like to extend my best wishes to Jewish people in Australia and around the world on the occasion of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a celebration of the powerful liberation story, in which the Maccabeans freed the Jewish People from domination and rededicated the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Over eight days, families, friends and communities gather to celebrate,  together singing Hanukkah songs, having public candle lighting events and for the children, playing the traditional Hanukkah game dreidel.

The lighting of a candle on the Menorah, an eight branched candelabrum each night commemorates the story of the oil lamp that burnt for eight days despite only having enough oil to burn for one.

Hanukkah is a celebration of hope, freedom and victory. It is an opportunity for us to celebrate our shared values and be thankful for the strong bonds of unity we have formed as a modern multicultural country.

As the candles are lit this season, I wish you all a happy and prosperous Festival of Lights.