At the time of publication of this post, another tragic terrorist attack has taken place, targeting members of the Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah (Chanukah) in Australia, claiming the lives of several innocent people.
Against this sombre backdrop, on Thursday 11 December 2025, the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Romania, HE Roberto Musneci KM, was invited, as in previous years, to take part in the celebration marking the opening of Hanukkah, the Festival of Light. The festival commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple’s menorah following the reconsecration of Jerusalem by the Maccabees in the second century BC.
The event, organised by the Laude Reut School, traditionally brings together senior Romanian state officials, including the President of the Senate, Ministers, former Presidents, and members of the diplomatic corps. Representatives of public life are invited to light the candles of the menorah, symbolising unity, remembrance, and hope.
On this occasion, the President of the Laude Reut Foundation, Mrs Tova Ben Nun Cherbis, together with her team, presented awards to students in recognition of their outstanding academic and cultural achievements in Romania and internationally. The celebration also included moments of remembrance for the victims of the 7 October terrorist attacks, with the participation of several survivors.
At the conclusion of the award ceremony and concert, Ambassador Musneci stated, “It is an honour to be regularly invited by Mrs Tova Ben Nun Cherbis to this celebration, which is so meaningful for the Jewish community. Hanukkah conveys a powerful message of light after darkness, peace after conflict, and reconciliation. On this occasion, we wish one another a Happy Hanukkah and also a Merry Christmas.” Following the news of the shooting at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, the Ambassador added, “Each attack against innocent people is a painful reminder that antisemitism and terrorism continue to threaten our societies. We mourn the victims of this latest tragedy in Sydney and express our solidarity with the Jewish community.”
