^{Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog. chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Mark Wilf, chairman of its board of governors, greet new immigrants from France at Ben-Gurion International Airport, who arrived in Israel during the war. Credit: The Jewish Agency.}

The Jewish Agency for Israel is organizing the world’s largest digital menorah this Chanukah, to connect Jewish communities across the world.

The “Global Glow” initiative features a menorah that will be lit in the digital space and be projected throughout the eight days of Chanukah (Dec. 25 to Jan. 2) on the National Institutions building in Jerusalem, as well as on billboards at central junctions across Israel. It will be distributed on digital platforms worldwide by The Jewish Agency, in cooperation with the World Zionist Organization, The Jewish Federations of North America and Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal.

From Kiryat Shmona to Melbourne, from Sderot to Washington, from Jerusalem to Paris, Jews around the world will be able to light a virtual candle.

The project will highlight the strategic partnership between Israel and the global Jewish community, in response to the two main challenges facing the Jewish people—strengthening Israel and protecting Jewish communities against threats of antisemitism.

Global Glow will also allow people to upload photos and add a personal message, which will be uploaded to the project’s platform in various languages, including Hebrew, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.

“When lighting these virtual candles, we will demonstrate global Jewish solidarity together, in hope and longing for unity, to build an exemplary society here in Israel—a society striving for excellence in every sector, but which does not leave the vulnerable behind,” said JA chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog. “Together we will amplify the shared light emerging from the diverse human mosaic of the Jewish people. That is our source of strength.”

Also participating in the project are Israelis, ranging from those displaced from their homes in the north and south due to the war, to families victimized by terror, immigrants who came to Israel at a deeply challenging time, soldiers and reservists who have served in the current war, Jewish students who have faced hatred on campuses, Israeli emissaries who have worked to strengthen Jewish communities and Jewish communal leaders who have unprecedentedly mobilized for Israel.

“The Jewish people have been strong, resilient and hopeful despite the immense darkness in our world since Oct. 7, 2023—and Global Glow doubles down on that positive momentum,” said Mark Wilf, chairman of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency. “In Israel, we see unmistakably how the population responds to the Oct. 7 atrocities through volunteerism, connection, engagement, empathy and bravery. Those are the attributes that form the bedrock of our legacy, today and tomorrow. As we celebrate the Festival of Lights in the final days of 2024 and into the beginning of 2025, hope continues to be the hallmark of our community.”

Source: JNS