The first ever Festival of Lights celebrated at Clifford’s Tower, the site of one of the darkest events in York’s history
On the 18th of November 2022, Clifford’s Tower opened its doors for its first Jewish ceremony in over 800 years. The site, where a pogrom in 1190 left over 150 Jews dead, served as the venue for a historic first night of Chanukah celebration, organised by York Liberal Jewish Community in conjunction with North Yorkshire Police. Despite the freezing December weather, the event was attended by over 70 guests from across the North of England, including City of York Council’s Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Chris Cullwick, The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and English Heritage Host Andrea Selley, Territory Director – North, who all spoke movingly at the event.
For many, the event is a watershed moment in York’s history, and a symbol of the City’s commitment to being a City of Sanctuary and Human Rights. Lilian Coulson, Chair of YLJC, spoke of her hope that the light of the Chanukah candles would ‘help heal old wounds.’
To provide the linkage of why we were there at this time, Lilian explained: “The massacre of the Jews in 1190 at Clifford’s Tower is a dark time in the history of the Jews in York. But Chanukah is the Jewish festival of light, celebrating our freedom after the overthrowing of the Syrian oppressors and the re- cleansing of our Temple in 165 BCE. We stand here at Clifford’s Tower today – yet again in a world where another country, Ukraine, led by another Jewish leader, is fighting to throw off oppressors and for its freedom – to remember the atrocities that once took place at this very spot, to shine the Chanukah lights on the darkness around us, and to pray for a better world.’
“This first lighting of a Chanukiah inside Clifford’s Tower, some 832 years after the massacre, is a symbol of unity and healing and a light of peace in our world.” Lilian said. “We stand here together today, including YJLC members and our proud wider Yorkshire Jews, welcoming those of all faiths and none to this City of Sanctuary.” Afterwards she added how the poignancy of the moment came alive for her when the sound of 60+ Jews singing the Ma’oz Tzur after the lighting of the Chanukah candles echoed around the Tower, the first ever Jewish song within these historic walls.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism (had planned to attend, thwarted only by unsafe travel weather) had her words read by YLJC’s Warden, Howard Duckworth, also noted the significance of the event’s location: “I am inspired that we have come together tonight to do this supremely public, diverse and optimistic act together in this historic place, committing ourselves that we can bring light to the
world when we are in partnership.”
Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and English Heritage’s Andrea Selley were invited to light the Chanukah candles, while YLJC’s Vice Chair Shaan Bloch recited the blessings.
The event is YLJC’s third Chanukiah lighting with the City of York Council’s Civic Party, and will hopefully be the latest of many. All of the speakers spoke as of one voice of York’s values and how we all stand together. They have each welcomed York Jewish Liberal Community with open arms since its inception in 2014, so that it is now a recognised lead faith group within the City, an active member of York Interfaith Group, and a go-to partner with York Minster and City of York Council for Jewish / faith events, such as the annual ‘600 Candles’ (Holocaust Memorial Day) and Clifford’s Tower commemoration, as well as the many celebratory and sad events hosted by the Archbishop and the Minster around Queen Elizabeth and then King Charles and Queen Camilla in this momentous year, including their visit to this City.
Throughout these occasions, North Yorkshire Police has served its City well and looked after us all, as they do for YLJC throughout the year, and this event provided an opportunity to work more closely together.
In order to heal the wounds of the past and to come full circle from the Clifford’s Tower pogrom some 832 years later, Lilian concluded by explaining that the Hebrew word ‘Shalom’ means ‘peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, welfare and tranquillity.’ And to commemorate this historic day in what has been a momentous year, she asked everyone to turn to each other to say ‘Chag urim sameach’ (‘Happy Festival of Lights’) and ‘Shalom aleichem’ (‘peace be upon you’), which circa 70 people did simultaneously – the 1st ever spoken Hebrew / Jewish words of light and peace for us all within these stone walls and our wish for now and the future.