North Yorkshire Police host historic Hanukkah celebration at Clifford’s Tower

Last night, North Yorkshire Police were honoured to host members of the local Jewish community and special guests for a historic Hanukkah celebration in the centre of Clifford’s Tower in York.

The site has a specific poignancy for the Jewish community, both locally and around the world. On 16 March 1190, Clifford’s Tower was the site of one of the most infamous events in English history, the massacre and suicide of York’s Jewish community.

At the time, anti-Jewish feeling was spreading across the country which had been sparked by an attack on Jews at the coronation of King Richard 1. Worried by the rioting, the local royal officers in York sheltered around 150 people from the local community. However an angry mob surrounded the tower and prepared to attack. Fearful for their safety, many of the Jewish people who should have been safe inside the tower committed suicide rather than be murdered by the mob. The mob allegedly offered safety to anyone inside who agreed to convert to Christianity. However, it was a lie and those who left the tower were murdered.

Thanks to the support of English Heritage who are custodians of the Tower, we were incredibly proud and grateful to host what we believe to be the first ever Hanukkah celebration to take place within its walls.

Led by Lillian Coulson, Chair of York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC), attendees heard messages of hope and friendship from Stephen Cottrell the Archbishop of York, Cllr Chris Cullwick the Lord Mayor of York, Andrea Selley from English Heritage and North Yorkshire Police Lead for Faith and Belief Sergeant Arfan Rahouf. Howard Duckworth a trustee of YLJC, read a statement from their Rabbi Charley Baginsky.

The Archbishop and Andrea Selley then went on to light the first and second candle on North Yorkshire Police’s own menorah.

Speaking about the evening Sergeant Rahouf said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who braved the cold temperatures and the rain and came along to make our Hanukkah celebration inside Clifford’s Tower such a special and memorable occasion.

“Reflecting on the events of 1190 and also on incidents of persecution and hatred that are happening around the world right now, it’s important that we come together to mark occasions such as Hanukkah. It gives us an opportunity to learn more about each other’s culture and beliefs, to deepen and strengthen our relationships and to realise and celebrate our similarities.

“I’m incredibly grateful also to English Heritage as the Tower’s custodians for being so supportive of the event and giving us access to the historic site. I’d like to wish everyone celebrating a very happy and peaceful Hanukkah - Chag urim sameach!”

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell lights the first candle.

English Heritage's Director for the North of England, Andrea Selley lights the second candle

Local officers celebrating Hanukkah

Members of the local Jewish Community, Sgt Arfan Rahouf, YLJC Chair Lillian Coulson (front), Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, Engligh Heritage North Director Andrea Selley, Lord Mayor of York Cllr Chris Cullwick and YLJC Trustee Howard Duckworth (back) celebrate the first night of Hanukkah together at Clifford's Tower.