Hanukkah Menorah in Hamburg's City Center - Hanukkah Menorah in Hamburg's City Center
Hamburg celebrated Hanukkah with a grand public event at the Reesendammbrücke this year. A towering 3.5-metre menorah stood at the heart of the festivities, drawing crowds for eight evenings. The Festival of Lights honoured the ancient rededication of Jerusalem’s Second Temple in 164 BCE while bringing the city’s Jewish and wider community together.
The celebrations, known as Hanukkah auf dem Alster, were organised by Chabad Hamburg and the Jüdische Gemeinde Hamburg. Each evening, an extra candle was lit on the giant menorah, following tradition. On the final day, Sunday, Landesrabbiner Shlomo Bistritzky kindled the last flame at 4 PM, marking the close of the festival.
The event featured live music from the Ginsburg Dynastie band and free sufganiyot, the classic jelly-filled doughnuts. Finance Senator Andreas Dressel (SPD) and Bishop Kirsten Fehrs also attended, joining the community in song and reflection. Traditional dishes like latkes were enjoyed by many, adding to the festive atmosphere. The menorah itself, standing three metres tall, served as a bright symbol of Jewish heritage in the city centre. Its candles burned for the full eight nights, reminding passersby of the festival’s enduring message.
The 2025 Hanukkah celebrations in Hamburg concluded with a final candle-lit ceremony and shared festivities. The event reinforced community ties and highlighted the cultural significance of the Festival of Lights. Next year’s gathering is already anticipated by organisers and attendees alike.
