WCC NEWS: WCC extends greetings to Jewish communities as they celebrate Hanukkah

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended warm greetings to Jewish communities around the world as they celebrate Hanukkah.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 18 December 2024 “In these days of dedication and celebration of the greatest miracle in Jewish history, let us pray for reconciliation and light in our shared world,” he said. “We pray that the oil from the menorah will once again be sufficient to illuminate our lives and guide us in peace and hope.” He noted that, this year, Christmas and Hanukkah coincide. "The World Council of Churches expresses appreciation to our Jewish partners, recognising the significance of the ongoing, meaningful dialogue that we continue to foster with our Jewish brothers and sisters,” Pillay said. “This dialogue serves not merely as a channel for mutual understanding, but as a blessed conduit through which we pursue the peace that is essential for humanity.” He added: “May this festival of lights ignite in us hope and life in a world surrounded by darkness, destruction, and death.”   Read the letter of the WCC general secretary WCC Reference Group for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation maps future vision (WCC feature story, 5 December 2024) "Applications open for Interreligious Studies at Bossey" (WCC news release, 5 December 2025) Learn more about the WCC interreligious work Current Dialogue - World Council of Churches’ journal on interreligious dialogue “Fighting Antisemitism” event takes human rights perspective (WCC news release, 1 October 2024)   See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland