Events Leytonstone

Hundreds turn out to mark Leytonstone Menorah lighting

The fifth annual menorah lighting took place on Sunday outside Leytonstone Station and was attended by 250 people from the local community

Mayor Roy Berg (right) at the Leytonstone Menorah lighting on Sunday 10th December, Credit: Ruth Schryber

This is the fifth year that the Leytonstone Menorah has stood at the end of Fillebrook Road opposite Leytonstone tube station in East London.

Over 250 people from the local community enjoyed traditional doughnuts, latkes and steaming hot chocolate at the yearly menorah lighting outside Leytonstone Station on Sunday (10th December).

Guests were enterained by local band Stew Curtis’ Klezmer Without Borders comprising virtuoso jazz reedsman Stew Curtis (sax), Mark Adelman (keyboards), Rob Rickenberg (bass) and Guy Dewar (drums).

The shamash was lit by mayor of Waltham Forest Roy Berg and the blessings for Fourth Night of Chanukah were sung by Chazzan Menorah Scharf. Following this the crowd joined in for Mo’az Tzur, a prelude to further spirited singing well into the evening including classics such as Am Yisroel Chai and a moving rendition of Acheynu sung by Turan Webb and Fyvish Honig.

Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue’s Rabbi Yitzchok Austin addressed the crowd of local Shul members, visitors, friends and local dignitaries, including councillors and Waltham Forest Council representatives, council leader Grace Williams, and London Assembly member Sem Moema.

Guests were also treated to a fast-paced martial arts inspired LED light show from Manic of Infinity Circus.

The Leytonstone Menorah was made using funds granted by Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 and with support from the Highways Agency; the 2023 street party is supported by the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Communities and Participation Team; and the overall event is organised by Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue based in Fillebrook Road, Leytonstone.


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