Old Trafford hosts first Chanukah event
Manchester United proudly co-hosted Old Trafford’s first Chanukah celebration earlier this week, a special evening of faith, food and talks to mark the Jewish festival of lights.
Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, lasts for eight days, running this year between 14 and 22 December.
Celebrating the festival of lights
GallerySee photos from an Old Trafford night that was about more than football.
The talks highlighted the significance of the inaugural event and poignantly paid tribute to those affected by the recent attacks at Bondi Beach in Sydney and the Heaton Park synagogue in our city of Manchester, explaining how Chanukah’s enlightening values of hope, optimism and resilience can help to dispel the darkness of such heartbreaking adversity.
This was followed by the ceremonial lighting of the Chanukah menorah. On behalf of the club, non-executive director Michael Edelson and director of football Jason Wilcox were among those to light candles.
Attendees were then invited to enjoy a kosher food buffet before a raffle, with a collection of donated prizes – including a shirt signed by United’s men – won around the room.
Joseph and Dan, co-founders of the supporters’ club, said: “The evening marked a defining moment for us as co-founders and for the wider Manchester United Jewish Supporters’ Club.
“Bringing together 85 members of the Jewish community alongside representatives of the club, including Rabbi Daniel Walker and Jason Wilcox, felt incredibly powerful. At a time when Jewish spaces can feel fragile, standing together at Old Trafford to celebrate Chanukah, culminating in the lighting of the menorah, was deeply moving.
“What began as a simple idea has become a real community. Seeing that sense of unity, pride and belonging in one room is something we will carry with us forever.”
Rick McGagh, United’s director of fan engagement, added: “Events like this show the power of football. You can bring communities together, communities who have been through some really tough times recently.
“Chanukah is a festival that reminds us of resilience, hope, and the power of community - values that resonate deeply both within Jewish tradition and within the spirit of this great football club.
“Our network of official supporters’ clubs is something we’re incredibly proud of, with over 350 clubs around the world bringing fans together in their shared love of United. Joseph and Dan have done a great job in setting up the Jewish supporters’ club and putting on this event for their members.
“We had a fantastic turnout on the night, and we look forward to doing many more of these events in the future.”
The Manchester United Jewish Supporters’ Club is free to join and open to all Jewish Reds around the world. Find out more on Facebook, Instagram and X, or by emailing ManchesterUnitedJSC@gmail.com.