Liberal Judaism Chief Executive Rabbi Charley Baginsky has become the first Progressive rabbi, and the first woman, to light the Chanukah candles in Trafalgar Square.

Charley attended the annual first night ceremony, which is organised by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Charley was joined at the event by the Mayor, JLC Chair Jonathan Goldstein and Co-Chief Executive Michelle Janes, Board of Deputies’ President Marie van der Zyl and Chief Executive Michael Wegier and Jewish London Forum Chair Adrian Cohen (all pictured).

You can watch Charley lighting the first candle in the video below.

Charley said: “Chanukah is a hugely optimistic festival that seeks to light up the darkness.

“It was a personal honour to become the first Progressive rabbi, and the first woman, to light the candles at Trafalgar Square – this prominent, public London venue – and to have my two daughters with me as I did.

“But more than that, this was an optimistic and profound statement of our Jewish community’s unity in its commitment to diverse voices and representation.”

Rabbi Charley Baginsky and her daughters with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

Pictures and video: LIT Events