The Embassy of Israel held an early celebration of Hanukkah. This year there are more invited guests to the celebration. The guests were treated to a mix of Filipino and Israeli spirits of the season.
This year, the early Hanukkah is more peaceful. Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire that would lead to peace. The Israeli Embassy in Manila is hosting a Hanukkah celebration with more guests than last year.
The Celebration of Lights was held at the Ascott hotel on 24 November 2025. Invited guests came early to avoid the pre-Christmas season traffic in Metro Manila. Deputy Amb. Ester Buzgan casually welcomed the early guests.
The guests are in for a treat to celebrate both Hanukkah and pre-Christmas in a Filipino fashion. After the two flag ceremonies and prayers, the Deputy Ambassador led the ceremonies. Deputy Amb. Buzgan started with a brief history of Hanukkah.
The eight-day Jewish festival commemorates the miracle of the temple’s menorah. A time when Jewish warriors revolted against the Syrian-Greek rulership. The revolt rededicated their Second Temple. The rededication required to light the menorah for days. The oil they found is good only for a day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days to light the menorah. Enough time to resupply the oil.
“A reminder that even in darkness. Courage, identity, and a little bit of light can go a very long way. It is a holiday of lights. Miracles, resilience, and a belief in even something small can change everything. Hanukkah is not just about Israel. The idea that even a small light can overcome a lot of darkness,” Deputy Amb. Buzgan added with an impressive Tagalog greeting.
Seven special guests were asked to light the Hanukkah menorah with Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh. Then, a short Jewish ceremony was held after all the candles were lit. Amb. Kursh tells the guests that it is her first Christmas in the Philippines. She mentioned that the early Hanukkah can’t get as early as the season here. The Philippines celebrates Christmas months earlier, as early as September.
Amb. Kursh ends her speech, “When Israel is attacked, we have to fight it. But we don’t want to fight. We want miracles that will bring us just moments of happiness and joy. Just celebrating together like you are doing here with friends, family, and extended family. Because you are all, once you enter this hall, you are all one with your family. And we need to cherish those moments that will give us strength and resilience for the time we do need it. And, I hope and pray for a lot of miracles that will happen to each and every one of you on a family basis, on a personal basis, and on a national basis. And on the partnership between our two nations. And I do hope that next year we’ll be able to celebrate many more days of Hanukkah and Lightning candles together, and other occasions of happiness and joy that we are rejoicing with one another. So have a wonderful happy Hanukkah.”
The pre-celebration came with prizes and activities. The four guests are asked on stage why they love Israel based on their experience in the country. The crowd will judge who gets the best prize. Then followed by a creative donut contest. Guests have fun and show their creative side in this donut contest. Finally, it is all about the singing and food. Where all guest gets to do videoke, as all Filipinos love to sing and eat. A Happy Hanukkah and Christmas season to everyone.
