Hanukkah ceremony at the Western Wall honors 100 Holocaust survivors

One hundred Holocaust survivors took part in a poignant Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall, the Claims Conference announced Sunday.

Organized in collaboration with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, the event symbolized hope and resilience in a time of rising anti-Semitism and recent national trauma.

Prominent attendees included Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference; Wailing Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch; Israel’s Transport Minister Miri Regev; Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon; and Ziona Koenig-Yair, vice president of the Israeli office of the Claims Conference.

This year’s ceremony focused on “unity and hope,” reflecting the aftermath of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel and the ongoing global rise in anti-Semitism.

Holocaust survivor Miriam Greiber addressed the need for continued education and vigilance against hate: “Anti-Semitism comes in different forms, sometimes against Jews and sometimes against Israelis.” Our duty as survivors is to share our stories and educate future generations, to ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten.”

Holocaust survivors light the fifth Hanukkah candle at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on December 29, 2024. (Source: COURTESY CLAIMS CONFERENCE)

Resilience of the Jewish people

Speaking to the survivors, Koenig-Yair said: “Lighting the Hanukkah candles at this sacred site with you, Holocaust survivors, reminds us all of the enduring resilience of the Jewish people.” Your presence here is a testament to the triumph of the Light over the darkness and an inspiration for generations to come.”

Reflecting on the extraordinary strength of survivors, Greg Schneider said, “Holocaust survivors are a light to the world, shining brightly with hope and possibility. These heroes, who endured the worst the world could throw at them, not only survived, but rebuilt their lives and showed humanity the meaning of strength and bravery.

“Their work and commitment to humanity inspire us and remind us that hope is the light that leads us all out of the darkness. For this we honor them today with this special celebration and every day with our gratitude and veneration.”

The ceremony was part of the International Night of Holocaust Survivors, an annual global broadcast that brings together survivors and supporters from 12 countries. The program included messages from notable personalities such as Barbra Streisand, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Debra Messing and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. A recording of the event will be available on the Claims Conference website.

The Claims Conference advocates for material compensation for Holocaust survivors worldwide. Since its founding in 1952, it has negotiated over $90 billion in compensation from the German government.

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In 2024, the organization will distribute more than $535 million in direct compensation to over 200,000 survivors and provide $888 million in grants to social agencies that provide essential care.

Resilience of the Jewish people

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