Main fundraiser photo

Help Us Bring Even More Light To Bricket Wood

On Sunday morning, 29th December, I was jolted awake by an unexpected phone call from our good friend Gerry. “Rabbi, have you taken down some of the branches of the menorah?” he asked. Confused, I replied, “No! Can you say that again?” Gerry repeated, his voice tinged with concern, “Something has happened to your menorah.” Without hesitation, I said, “I’m coming now!”

As I approached the street corner, shock and disbelief washed over me. The closer I got, the more the scene came into focus: wet paint splattered everywhere, and our beloved community menorah lay destroyed. It was no accident. The realisation hit me hard—this act was intentional.

Just days earlier, we had repaired the menorah’s wiring and proudly erected it at its usual spot in the heart of Bricket Wood. Since first erecting the menorah in December 2022, just over a year after moving to the village to build the Jewish community, we had only ever received positive feedback. For three years, this menorah has stood as a cherished symbol of light and peace, celebrated each year with a Grand Menorah Lighting ceremony that brought people from all backgrounds together.

But now, here it was—damaged, broken, and defiled. Six hours before this year’s Grand Menorah Lighting ceremony was due, we faced a daunting question: What now?

As I started sharing the news with close friends, I received a call: “Rabbi, you have to cancel this afternoon's menorah lighting.” My answer was firm: “Absolutely not. We will find a way to bring light to Bricket Wood, because that’s what we do!” Miraculously, within minutes, a replacement giant menorah was sourced, as though G-d Himself had prepared this solution in advance.

What truly moved me that day was the response from the community. While I made calls to the authorities and prepared for the ceremony, countless people stopped by to express their disgust at such an awful act. Drivers paused their journeys, pedestrians approached, and everyone shared the same message: “We loved seeing the menorah these past few nights. It has always been so beautiful to watch the light grow stronger each evening.”


By 3pm, everything was ready, and the community began to gather. People of all ages, from every background, came to stand with us — young and old, those battling illness, and even those with no direct connection to Judaism. Non-Jewish residents came in droves: proud Christians, proud atheists, all united by one shared belief — this act of hatred would not define our village.


This is Bricket Wood. This is its true character. We are a village that unites in the face of adversity, standing strong against hatred and celebrating what brings us together.

Now, we look to the future. We will not be deterred. We are committed to continuing the lighting of the menorah in Bricket Wood, but we need your help.


We are raising funds to replace our damaged menorah with a new Community Unity Menorah — a symbol that will stand for years to come in this same location and reflect the resilience and spirit of our village.


Please consider donating to help us replace the menorah. Together, we will shine brighter, stand stronger, and remain united as a beacon of hope and light for all.

Click Here To Read the The Jewish Chronicle Story
Click Here To Read the BBC Report On the Incident
Click Here To Read St Albans Times
Click Here To Read Herts Ads
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • £25
    • 18 d
  • miriam mozer
    • £20
    • 20 d
  • Anonymous
    • £25
    • 24 d
  • Sam Clifford
    • £18
    • 29 d
  • Anonymous
    • £5
    • 30 d
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Organizer

Eliezer Tunk
Organizer
Chabad-Lubavitch Bricket Wood
Beneficiary

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