In April 2024, the United States ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, reacted to President‑elect Karol Nawrocki’s decision not to light the Chanukah menorah at the presidential palace, sparking political commentary.
SIKORSKI’S COMMENTARY ON CHANUKAH OBSERVATION
Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported last Friday that the presidential palace will not observe Chanukah. Jewish community representatives told the paper that they were not invited to the ceremony. X user Radosław Sikorski, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, commented: “Interesting, will the President carry on his brother’s legacy?” and added a photo of former President Lech Kaczyński lighting a menorah.
AMBASSADOR’S REPLY AND SUPPORT FOR MULTIRELIGIOUS RESPECT
On X, Ambassador Tom Rose replied to Sikorski’s post: “I just learned about this – I’ll ask.” He further praised Sikorski, noting that most Poles respect other faiths, especially Judaism. “Powerful message. Of course, we must all give other religions the same respect that the President, like the majority of decent Poles, does. Pope John Paul II was one of the greatest and most noble figures of the 20th century,” wrote Rose.
NAWRÓCKI’S POSITION ON CHANUKAH LIGHTING
In a comment from Rz, it is noted that Karol Nawrocki, during his election campaign, said he would not light Chanukah candles. In an interview with RMF FM, a listener asked whether he would observe the tradition that Presidents Duda and Kaczyński had upheld. Nawrocki answered, “No, I value my Christian beliefs, so I celebrate holidays that are close to me.”
LECH KACZYŃSKI’S INITIATED TRADITION
A 2015 presidential communiqué states that “the tradition of lighting Chanukah candles by the head of state was initiated by President Lech Kaczyński.” The first ceremony took place at the presidential palace on 18 December 2006. Chanukah, one of Judaism’s oldest holidays, is observed for eight days, with Jews lighting a candle nightly on a nine‑branched menorah. The holiday commemorates the Maccabees’ victory over the Syrian ruler Antiochus IV in the 2nd century BCE.
