PARIS- Despite the armed police officers, members of the Jewish Parisian community gathered at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower for the 27th annual Hanukkah menorah lighting. After the terrorist attacks on November 13, French authorities had declared a ban on public gatherings. However, the Festival of Lights celebration continued, showing that miracles really do occur on Hanukkah.

Officials had asked the Jewish community of Paris to delay their public menorah lighting after the attacks. On December 2nd, a meeting occurred of the Jewish Community Protection Service, which gave the local  Jewish community the permission to proceed. The number of public lightings allowed decreased from 30 to 11, but the ability to have the celebration itself was a great step in the right direction for the Jewish community of Paris.

Chief Rabbi of France Haim Korsia lit the first candle, under the sparkling tower and clear, night sky. The security was heightened this year and the area closest to the tower was blocked off. In previous years, people had been able to roam around the park leading up to the tower. Still, 1,500 people crowded the area of viewing and many showed their Hanukkah spirit by strapping electric menorahs to their cars in the parking lots.

The menorah was surrounded on both sides by the French flag and someone waved the French tricolor imprinted with the word “messiah”, while a band played the French National Anthem. The crowd was shocked as Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actor and former governor of California  made an appearance. Schwarzenegger was in town for the climate control negotiations and celebrated the Festival of Lights by dancing to Simcha music with a group of Rabbis on the bottom of the stage. The night was an overall success, allowing the Jewish community to show their light to the rest of the world.