The Story Behind the Posner Menorah

In December in Jewish History (TMJH) Presents: The Posner Menorah

 In 1932, weeks before Hitler became chancellor, Dr. Akiva Posner watched in horror as this swastika was raised across the street from his apartment in Kiel. Dr. Posner had received his doctorate from Halle-Wittenberg University, and eventually accepted a position as leader of the Kiel Jewish community. By 1932, the Nazi party had established itself in Kiel, but Hitler had not yet become Germany’s chancellor. The Nazi party had been circulating propaganda about the Jews in the small community and stirring up discontent. In mid-1932, posters appeared on public buildings saying, “Entrance to Jews Forbidden.” Posner submitted a protest letter to the local newspaper expressing his disgust at the posters. The chairman of the local Nazi party invited him to a public debate. The debate was held under heavy police guard, and it became clear to Posner and the small Jewish community that the public sentiment had sharply turned against the Jews. It was at that debate Posner and his wife Rachel determined that they and their community needed to flee Germany. [1]

Late afternoon, on Friday, December 31, 1932, Posner looked across the street at a Swastika flying over the public building. He intentionally placed the family Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) in the windowsill so that its light from the upper floor would be clearly scene on the streets below and to the building across the street. Rachel pulled out her camera to shoot a photo of what now has become this iconic picture. She turned to her husband and said, “Juda verrecke, die Fahne spricht” [“Death to Jews, the flag says”]. Smiling she continued, “Juda lebt ewib, erwidert das licht” (“The Jewish people will live forever, the light answers”). [2] Rachel, Akiva, and their three children left Germany for Palestine but not before persuading their congregation to join them. Today, the Posner Hanukkiah and Rachel’s iconic photo are on display in Yad Vashem. Most of the congregation’s grandchildren now live in Israel. [3]

The Talmud says the Hanukkiah should be placed in a window as a witness to the Maccabean victory of Syrian oppression (Shabbat 21b). Many Christians understand the Hanukkah story as a lesson on how God kept his covenant with the Jewish people and preserved them so that through the Jews the Messiah would be born [4]. However, for Jewish people today, Hanukkah means far more.

First, Hanukkah signifies Jewish freedom from tyranny. Jews do not always go as sheep to the slaughter. The Hasmonean victory in 165 BCE tell a story of Jewish freedom fighters who were unwilling to accept the yoke of oppression and were willing to fight for the liberty to worship God and follow His commandments. Second, Hanukkah carries a prophetic message. Not a message of foretelling but forthtelling. It is the story of a courageous band who spoke out against injustice, oppression, and persecution. Today, where Jews are free to publish letters in the newspaper, articles online, and hold public meetings, it is the Jewish prophetic duty to speak out on behalf of other groups oppressed as Jews once were in Germany. Placing the Hanukkiah in a window proclaims the message that freedom once gained by Jews obligate them to speak out on behalf of those with no voice, whose light cannot shine as brightly as the Hanukkiah can for them.

For Messianic Jews, Hanukkah is a reminder that we have a prophetic role to our people and community, calling us to collectively turn back to the God of Israel and embrace Israel’s Messiah. The Hasmonean rebels fought for the right to obey God’s laws, but they also called on their landsmen to reject seductive secular culture and courageously follow God’s Word. Today, courageously shining the light of the Hanukkiah reminds Messianic Jews that Scripture calls us to be unashamed to identify with the Messiah and who we are. Yeshua said,

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16 ESV).

Chag Hanukkah Sameach!

This article was written by Dr. Stan Meyer. For more by Dr. Meyer, read his article celebrating the birthday of acclaimed Jewish novelist Sholem Asch.


[1] https://www.yadvashem.org/artifacts/museum/hanukkah-1932.html

[2] Nicosia, F. & Scrase, D. Jewish Life in Nazi Germany. New York: Berghahn Books. 2012: Inside cover.

[3] Greenbaum, D. “Lighting Hanukkah Candles Under the Swastika’s Shadow”. The New York Times [Op-Ed]. 12 December 2017.

[4] Brickner, D. “Christmas Would be Impossible Without Hanukkah”. Jews for Jesus Newsletter. December 2002. https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/newsletter/newsletter-dec-2002/christmas-would-be-impossible-without-hanukkah/

Explore our blog:

A Plea for Humanity

The war in Ukraine has reached the two month mark. Rabbi Klayman reflects on the reasons why we must not let it become the “new normal.”

When Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place…

It is incredible how quickly we can go from the mountaintop of joy to the swampy marshland of depression! At such times we must step out in faith, trusting that HaShem will honor his word, his promise.

A Reflection on Divine Authority

On the one hand, knowing that we have a faithful God is incredibly reassuring! On the other hand, accepting His authority over our lives is incredibly difficult. Rabbi Michael Hillel shares his insights from a recent Bible study on Luke 20:1-8 and how Yeshua’s authority manifests across several Biblical narratives.

Light Over Might

Hanukkah is about fighting for political autonomy and religious freedom… right? With our contemporary values, it can actually be difficult to examine the Hanukkah narrative to understand some of the more challenging elements. Rabbi Paul Saal takes a look.

Vayeshev: The Winding Road to Messiah

There are many injustices in the story of Joseph, from his father’s favoritism provoking his brothers’ violent jealousy to the cupbearer forgetting Joseph in prison. How are we supposed to feel in the face of disappointment? Rabbi Elliot Klayman breaks down this week’s parasha.

Favor Elevates Its Giver

After the drama of Jacob stealing Esau’s birthright and blessing—and then absconding to Paddan-aram for 20 years—this week’s parasha sees Jacob having to reunite with his estranged brother. What can this surprising moment of reconciliation show us about our relationships today?

Vayeitzei: The Continuing Journey

The patriarchal narrative continues in this week’s parasha, Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10 – 32:3). We find Jacob on his way tp Haran, seemingly in an attempt to get away from his justifiably-angry elder twin brother Esau, after Jacob had stolen Esau's blessing from their...

Sholem Asch: Introducing Jews to the Rabbi from Nazareth

November, 1880: Sholem Asch, the Jewish author, was born. Dr. Stan Meyer takes a look at his life and the impact he still has on our world today.

The Path Behind and the Road Ahead: A New Journey

The High Holidays are behind us for another year. We have travelled God’s way in those marathon weeks, and it may be tempting for us to settle back into a comfortable, mindless rhythm until Chanukah starts at the end of November. However, from shofar blowing and...

The Libyan Donkey Overturns the Golden Lamp

What do a donkey and a lamp have to do with faith in our judicial system? Rabbi Elliot Klayman draws on his decades of experience as an attorney to examine a Talmudic narrative about bribery.

Pin It on Pinterest