Holocaust Survivors Light Hanukkah Candles at the Western Wall in Jerusalem

On Sunday, a poignant Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony took place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, marking a powerful symbol of hope and resilience. The event, organized by the Claims Conference in collaboration with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, brought together 100 Holocaust survivors to light the fifth candle of Hanukkah. This ceremony was a poignant reminder of the enduring strength of the Jewish people, especially in a time of rising antisemitism and national trauma.

The focus of this year’s Hanukkah ceremony was "Unity and Hope," particularly in light of the devastating October 7 terrorist attack on Israel and the ongoing global surge in antisemitism. Key figures attended the ceremony, including Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference; Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, Rabbi of the Western Wall; Israel’s Transportation Minister Miri Regev; Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon; and Ziona Koenig-Yair, vice president of the Claims Conference Israel Office.

Holocaust survivor Miriam Greiber shared a powerful message about the persistence of antisemitism in various forms and the importance of education. “Our duty as survivors is to share our stories and educate future generations, ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten,” Greiber said.

The ceremony was part of the annual International Holocaust Survivors Night, a global broadcast uniting survivors and supporters from 12 countries. Messages of support and gratitude were shared by notable figures 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, which has been working since 1952 to secure compensation for Holocaust survivors, has negotiated over $90 billion in indemnifications from the German government. In 2024, the organization will distribute more than $535 million in direct compensation to over 200,000 survivors and allocate $888 million in grants to social service agencies that provide critical care to survivors.