YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. The Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication on December 16. “Armenpress” News Agency attended the festive celebrations along with the representatives of the Jewish community of Armenia. Hanukkah’s spirit was hovering over Mordekhay Navi synagogue. There was menorah on the left side of the entrance door right in front of mezuzah, which according to the tradition must herald about the miracle of Hanukkah.

On the first day of Hanukkah, we met with Rabbi Gersh Bourstein, the head of the Mordekhay Navi Jewish Community of Armenia. In a conversation with “Armenpress”, Rabbi Gersh Bourstein underscored: “All the dishes are made by the olive oil this day. Latkes are considered to be the festive food. Latke is a potato pancake cooked by olive oil. This tradition comes more from the traditions of the Jewish communities of Europe.”

Hanukkah (sometimes transliterated Chanukkah) is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar.

In Hebrew, the word "hanukkah" means "dedication." The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Article by Syune Barseghyan and Anahit Minasyan



