Lighting the Way: Maccabi GB Marks the 81st Chanukah Torch Relay

On Thursday 18th December 2025, Maccabi GB concluded the 81st Chanukah Torch Relay, sponsored by Dan Accadia, as the delegation brought the flame of Chanukah’s message - light, resilience and unity into communities across the UK.

This year’s Torch Relay featured a delegation of seven young leaders from Maccabi Tzair, the youth movement of the Maccabi World Union. These spirited young ambassadors travelled the country to share the story and essence of Chanukah, building meaningful connections between British Jewish communities and their Israeli peers - a powerful expression of continuity, identity and shared heritage.

King David Manchester Primary School

The journey began in Manchester, where the delegation visited Manchester King David Primary School, North Cheshire Jewish Primary School, Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox Primary School, and Heathlands Village, bringing joy, learning and intergenerational connection. True to the spirit of community and gratitude, a deeply meaningful Shabbat was spent with a local host family, followed by a poignant service at Heaton Park Synagogue that embodied reflection, warmth and unity.

The delegation then continued their tour in London, engaging with pupils and residents in a range of settings including Jewish Care, Independent Jewish Day School, Beit Shvidler Primary School, Hertsmere Jewish Primary School, Sinai School, Mathilda Marks-Kennedy Jewish Primary School, Aryton House, JLiving, Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School, and Rimon School.

Hertsmere Jewish Primary School

At the heart of the Relay was the Maccabi GB Chanukah Torch Relay Activities Programme, a vibrant and educational series of sessions that brought Chanukah and Israel to life for children of all ages. Younger pupils explored movement games, storytelling, crafts and even formed a “human Chanukiah”; pupils in Years 1–2 learned symbols and meanings through role-play, guessing games and creative tasks; and older children engaged in quizzes, team challenges, obstacle courses, charades, dreidel-making and collaborative storytelling to deepen their understanding of the Chanukah narrative and its values.

Creative workshops from dreidel-building challenges to Chanukah pin-making and festival-style stations inspired teamwork, curiosity and joy. Israel-themed sessions introduced pupils to Israeli culture, geography, innovation and youth movement values through fast-paced quizzes, drawing activities, teamwork-based station challenges and thoughtful discussions.

Across the week, the delegation delivered over 80 sessions, engaging with more than 3,000 members of the community, including pupils, educators and care home residents. At every stop, the Relay offered not just activities, but opportunities for meaningful connection, learning and celebration.

Aryton House Care Home

Now in its 81st year, the Maccabi GB Chanukah Torch Relay remains one of the organisation’s most beloved traditions,  a testament to the enduring power of light over darkness, community over isolation, and shared identity over separation. Through education, celebration and connection, the Torch Relay continues to strengthen the bonds between Israel and the Diaspora, inspiring young and old alike.

Maccabi GB extends heartfelt thanks to Dan Accadia for sponsoring this year’s Torch Relay, to the schools, care homes, host families and organisations who welcomed the delegation, and to the dedicated young leaders of Maccabi Tzair who delivered sessions with pride, passion and purpose.

For more information about Dan Accadia, please click here