On December 17, the Israeli Consulate General in Shanghai marked the Jewish festival of Hanukkah with a reception at the consul general's residence, bringing together around 50 to 60 guests from diplomatic, business, and cultural circles.
Ravit Baer, Consul General of Israel in Shanghai, briefly reflected on Israel's engagement with China over the past year, noting continued cooperation in economic, medical, and cultural exchanges despite the ongoing regional conflict. She said the consulate had supported business delegations and institutional visits in 2025 and expressed hope for expanded academic and cultural interaction in the coming year. "Israel always has an innovation in culture, one of the most beautiful things we have. We're a diverse people, which allows us to create something that is really unique and brings west, east, south, and north together," she added.
Then Baer then invited Yael Gan, aunt of Ran Gvili—the last Israeli hostage in Gaza since the October 7 attacks—to light the four Hanukkah candles, calling for the return of his body and for light to prevail amid darkness.
According to Baer, Gvili, 24, a police officer on medical leave due to a shoulder injury, rushed to the Nova music festival site at around 6:30 a.m. on October 7, 2023, to assist others when the attack began. He later helped defend Kibbutz Alumim before being severely wounded, abducted, and taken to Gaza, where he is believed to have died the same day. The attacks left more than 1,400 people dead and 251 taken hostage.
Gan described her nephew as a young man who loved animals, children, and his country, and she also brought a special edition of the drink Gvili loved to the celebration. She said that lighting the Hanukkah candles was both an act of remembrance and a plea for mutual love and care.
"Wherever you are every day, spread more and more light, love, and care for each other and the people that surround you and animals," Gan said. Then she lit the candles and sang a traditional Hanukkah song together with the guests.
Hanukkah originated in the second century when the Maccabees recovered Jerusalem and the Second Temple from the hands of the Seleucid Empire. When it came to the re-dedication of the temple, only a small bottle of oil was found to light the lampstand in the temple, yet it miraculously lasted for eight days. To commemorate the miracle, Hanukkah is observed by Jewish communities for eight days in winter, marked by the nightly lighting of a menorah, with one additional candle lit each day. Special prayers and songs are offered during the festival, along with traditional food such as sufganiyot (a round jelly doughnut), latke (fried potato pancake), and gelt (chocolate coin). Spinning tops are also placed along with the menorah and festive food.
