The World Zionist Congress’ failure to achieve unity within the movement and its inability to elect an all-embracing leadership has cast a cloud of gloom over the Palestine Jewish community. But the cloud was lifted last night as the 600,000 Jews in the country celebrated the lighting of the Chanukah candles closing the eight-day “Festival of Lights.”
Parades were held in all Jewish settlements with the torch bearers leading the festive marches. Huge bonfires were lighted in the open country between towns and settlements as one group of Jews signalled to another.
In the Emek Hefer district where there are a number of Hapoel Hamizrachi settlements, thousands of Jews, including school children and youths, marched from village to village. They were received with lights and greetings in each colony and public prayers were held in all communities. At the conclusion of the parade, the marchers were addressed by Chief Rabbis Isaac Herzog and Iser Judah Unterman.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.