Consulate General of India

New York

Press Release

Happy Hanukkah 

The Consulate General of India, New York in collaboration with Rego Park Jewish Center and American Jewish Committee (AJC) celebrated Hanukkah in the Consulate on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. The occasion also served to commemorate 25 years of India-Israel Diplomatic Relations. Several eminent members of the Indian, American and Israeli Jewish community came together for the occasion. 

Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India while welcoming the guests spoke about the importance of respecting different faiths and recognizing that there are several paths to the absolute truth. Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel spoke on the deepening of bilateral ties between India and Israel and how the India-Israel relationship is becoming a model for the world. Swami Sarvapriyananda of the Vedanta Society spoke about India’s ties with the Jewish people which date back to more than 2000 years. Rabbi Romiel Daniel of the Rego Park Jewish Center highlighted the importance of peace for the Jewish people. Michael Feldstein of the AJC spoke about the significance of Hanukkah and the how great understanding is developing between the people of India and the Jewish people. Rabbi David Levy of AJC, New Jersey while delivering the vote of thanks remarked on the warmth that people belonging to diverse communities of New York and nearby areas have been able to generate in the Consulate on the auspicious occasion of Hanukkah. Being the eighth day of Hanukkah, all the eight candles, in typical Indian Diya style, were lighted by the attendees amidst the singing of MaozTzurand other Jewish Hanukkah melodies. MaliniSrinivasan, who teaches Bharatnatyam at the Consulate, presented a scintillating spectacle in praise of Lord Krishna. Dancers from the Israeli Dance Institute, New York delighted the participants with Jewish folk dances and music. The event culminated with exchange of greetings over sumptuous vegetarian Indian kosher food.