Beautiful Lights Illuminate India-Israel Relations

For the third year, the Consul General of India in Atlanta, Dr. Swati Kulkarni, sponsored a program and dinner to celebrate Indian-Jewish tradition for the first night of Chanukah. Located on Glenridge Drive in Sandy Springs, the consulate hosted an overflowing crowd, including former Atlanta mayor Sam Massell; Ambassador Judith Shorer, consul general of Israel to the Southeast; Dov Wilker, regional director of American Jewish Committee Atlanta; and a variety of Indian diplomats.

As a new tradition, all candles were lit on the chanukiyah.

Nissim Reuben, assistant director of the Asia Pacific Institute, and wife, Lavina, led prayers in Hebrew and English and spoke of Jewish heroism vis-a-vis the story of Israel today.

Ritesh Desai, representing Gov. Nathan Deal and Gov. Elect Brian Kemp, spoke of the unity of the Hindu-Jewish relationship as powerful. He recalled Ghandi, who taught peace by example.

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AJC’s Dov Wilker took a somber note by recalling the anti-Semitic attack in Mumbai 10 years ago.

AJC’s Wilker took a somber note by recalling the anti-Semitic attack in Mumbai 10 years ago. He also spoke of the constant vigilance in remembering religious rights of minorities in peril like the Jews in Europe, Copts in Egypt, and minorities in North Korea and Iran.

The program concluded by noting the daily El Al flight to Tel Aviv from India, the closeness and large volume of mutual trade partnerships, and the frequent visitations between the two countries, who share the vision and victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

Photo by Deborah Herr Richter // The exterior of the consulate was as festive as the mood inside.

A bounteous, traditional vegetarian Indian meal lined the lower level.