A large Menorah has been erected in Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Park to celebrate the Jewish festival of Chanukah running all this week.

East London Advertiser: Canary Wharf celebrates the Jewish festival of Chanukah. Picture: Claire ByrneCanary Wharf celebrates the Jewish festival of Chanukah. Picture: Claire Byrne (Image: www.inviewphotography.co.uk)

It began on Sunday with a single light, followed with one more added each evening while prayers and psalms are recited until next Sunday’s full display at the end of the eight-day festival.

Chanukah is the ‘festival of lights’ commemorating the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire 2,200 years ago.

Canary Wharf Group’s Danny Seliger said: “The lighting of the Menorah is a chance for the community to come together to celebrate this festive moment in the Jewish calendar.”

Members of the Jewish Care centre at Stepney Green attended last night’s ceremony with a performance by the London Cantorial Singers at KPMG accountancy offices.

A communal candle lighting is also being held at HSBC bank tonight, followed by traditional festive doughnuts and latkes.

Tomorrow evening’s ceremony at Ernst & Young business management consultancy is performed by Menorah School boys’ choir from north London.