Israeli embassy hosts Chanukah and Christmas interfaith gathering

Leaders from a wide range of faith communities marked Chanukah and Christmas at the Israeli embassy in Pretoria on 15 December. These included representatives from Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Baháʼí, and Rastafarian communities. 

Ariel Seidman, the chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Israel to South Africa, highlighted the shared values at the heart of the traditions: faith, resilience, compassion, and the symbolism of light as a source of hope and peace. 

Through prayer, reflection, and cultural expressions, participants reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among communities of different beliefs. 

Seidman stressed the importance of tolerance, acceptance, and unity. Referring to the recent attack on the Chanukah celebration in Sydney, he noted that it served as “a horrific reminder of the consequences of hatred and intolerance”. 

The embassy reiterated its commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, people-to-people engagement, and cooperation across cultures, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen relations between Israel and South Africa. 

The event concluded with the lighting of the Chanukah candles and the illumination of the Christmas tree.